The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1867-07-12

revolution. On no occasion, however;
did | ever assert the doctrine that
violation Of the Constitution by one
party would authorize or justify simil-
Ar, or other violations by the oppo-
sing party. The paramount causes
which have controlled and influenced
my conduct ard opinions were love
for the Union and an unshaken conf
dence that we had tho best constitu-
ton and government in the world.
But, of all the acts Of despotism Of
which the civil war in which we are
now engaged has been the prolific
source, there is not one which, in the
sIighteat degree, equals the atrocity
and barbarism of Mr.. Lincoln's proc
lImation. At one blow it depriyes all
the citizens of tho slave States, with
out distinction, Of the right TO hold
slaves, u right guaranteed by the
very Constitution he pretends to up
hold. 1t is true ho makes an intima-
ton that he will recommend to Con-
gress to provide just compensation to
Union masters in tho slave States,
but what right has he, or the govern
mont of the United States, to deprive
them of this property without their
consent? And what assurance have
they that his vague and general in.
timaLion will be applied to them, or
that an abolition Congress, reeking
with the blood of the South, and ju-
blant in the possession OF usurped
power, will adopthis recommendation?
We are in the midst of u sea of diff.
cuItes. Many acts have been done
in the South to which we were bitter.
" opposed as a pcop.e, and which we
who have adhered to tho Union in
spite of perils and dangers, could not
Justify Or palliate. But the Union
men of East Tcnnesaeo are not now
ar d never were AbOIiiOnists, The
Union men of East Tennessee are
not now and never have been COM
mitted to the doctrines Of Incendria-
ism and murder tn which Mr.. Lin.
coln'spFocIamation leads. What, then,
is the path OF duty in the trying cir
eumslnnces which surround us? Is
it to belle ail our past professions and
to sustain Mr.. LinColn's administra-
ton, right or wrOng2 Is It to justify
man, whom he had no agency in el-
evating to power, not only in aban-
doning the Constitution Of the Uni.
ted States, but in repudiating the
Chicago platform, his inaugural Sd-
dress and messages to Congress in
which the absolute right to slavery in
the States where it exists was dis
tinctIy and uneqivocally conceded !?
Or is it, in view Of his many viola
tions of the Constitution, and this
crowning act of usurpalion, 10 join
that side which at present affords the
only earthly hope Of successful re-
sistance?
am aware, my cOuntrymeD, that
YOU will find difficulties in Bringing
your minds TO the same conclusion at
which my own has arrived. Many wan
ton and unauthorized acts Of cruelty
and oppression have been perpetrated
among you, which, instead OF chang
ing yOur opinions, have only been cal
culalcd TO aggravate and intensity a
heroic principle of endurance. Many
of these acts have been committed in
remote placJs, without tho knowledge
or appreciation Of the authorities at
Richmond, or Of those who have held
tho supreme command in East Ten
nessue, and under such circumstances
that you. have felt it dangerous to
complain. Gradually and slowly
these outrages have ut last become
known, ind in the very recent proc.
Iaa,ation issued by hujUr-General
Jones, YOU haye the assurance that
your complaints will be heard, and
tho most energetic measures adopted
to remedy the evils to which you have
been subjected
Let not, then, a sense of private
and present wrongs, blind you against
tho enormilios already perpctrated,
and still more seriously contemplated
by Mr.. Lincoln's administration. If
u minority Of the Republican party
have been sincere in their professions
of determination to respect the
right Of slavery Ia the States, and it
the light Of freedom is not utterly ex.
tnguished in the Eorth, may we not
hope that a spirit OF resistance will
be aroused in that section, which, com.
bined with the efforts Of tho South,
will haPl Mr.. Lincoln from power, and
even yot restore peace and harmony
to our distracted and divided cOuDtryl
But, if through fear, or any other
cause, Mr.. LincoIn's infamous procla-
nation is sustained, then we have no
Union to hope for, no Constitution to
struggle for, no magnificent and IN.
broken heritage to maintain, no peace
to expect, save such, US with the
blessing of Providence, We may con
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