Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-05-08
From the Jonssboro' Union Flag, May Sd.
Grand Rally OF Radical UnlOnIsts I'm
JOnesb0r0'.
Three Thousand People Present.
Organization OF Company "a" First
Regiment OF Tennessee State
Guards.
An Imposing Procession.
The Renowned Colonel Kirk LeaGs
the Van.
Three Thousand People Present.
An Imposing Procession.
Speeches. &c., &e.

Last Wednesday is day long to be renenDereu
by the loyal people of ths county They came GU
nasse from the hills, mountains and Vaines eFlhc-
ing an interest and enthusiasm which we have rare
ly If ever seen equalled in any public assem- osge'
By 10 o'clock our streets were crowded 70 tner ~
most capacity, and every Union man could DC as
tinguished by the glow Of his countenance ana the
sparkle of his eye. large number OF eoloreo peo-
pie were present. who demonstrated, most eonciuc
savely by their words aad action, upon Wnlcn SIDE OF
the contest they will cast their power.
After the Company Of State Guards had been
mustered and received their arms, the procession
was formed in front of the Court House, the Com
pany taking the lead, followed by citizens on foot
and horseback, the whole commanded by thst
brave and noble soldier, Colonel G. w. Kirk. Inc
measured tread Of the soldiery the brstling array
of cleaning bayonets, and the martial music of the
fife and drum, forciby reminded us Of that gloomy
period when our beloved country shook with the
commissions of war, and was bathed in the blood OF
slaughtered thousands. The vast coIlcourse after
parading the streets for some time repaired to the
beautiful locust grove in the west part Of town, TO
listen to the speaking. Judge r. r. Butler, the
Radical candidate for Congress, made the first
speech. 1t was mastery effort, clear, bold, ex-
plcit and replete from beginning te end with argu
ments the most convincing and incOntrovertible.
He did not deal in coniectures and baseless
tions, but strengthened aud maintained every posi-
ton with the indisputabe evidence of official re-
cord. He showed up Andy Johnson's course fully,
and satisfied every honest minded man in the audi
that he is the greatest tricster and demagogue
that ever disgraeed public trust and betrayed a
conhding people lie proved that johnson issolely
responsible for the delay of the trial Of Jefferson
Davis; that while he executed Harold Atzerott,
Mrs. Surratt and others, for completely in the assas
sination of President Lincoln he had steadily re-
fused to order tho trial of the Despot of the deunc
Confederacy, who was the chief instigstor Of that
terrible tragedy which saddened and bereaved the
whole civilized world, as abundant testimony in
Johnson's immediate possession would establish.
The Judge recounted the various laws enacted by
the seth Congress for the protection of the loyal
men of the natioh and more particularly those of
the South, aud made il apparent to all that it was
their duty to stand by that body of patriots and
statesmen he also gave his auditory an insight
into the history and character of the Copperhesd
leaders, who are aspiring TO the management and
control of our State government. He assured the
people that the military organization in the State
would not increase taxation, Congress would pro-
vide for the payment of the debt thus contracted.
We imagined that this knocked the chief prop from
under a certain individual, who is endeavoring 70
run into Office by raising the hue and cry of TAX
ATOM TAXATIONi
After Judge Butler closed, our noble and worthy
Senator, P. p c. Nelson, took the stand and deliv-
cred thrilling speech. He defended the Legisla-
ture and his own course, saying that in voting for
the colored testimony and suffrage bills he was en-
tirely governed by of right and justice. He
knew what the faithful negro had done for him and
others, and that he should be rewarded for his fde
ty to the Union men during the war; that his free
dom without civil and political rights and Privi-
eyes was worthless and meaningless benefaction.
Here follows a brief synopsis of the speech of
the editor of this paper.-ED. WING.
Speeches were also made by Col. d. Nj. Nelson of
the Governors staff and Rev. Mr.. Beman, well
educated colored minister of Connecticut. Their
remarks were we'll received and their thrusts at the
Copperhead faction were received with rounds of
applause.
The day ives bright and beautiful, and all went
merry as marriage bell" Notwithstanding the
vast numbers in attendance, it is with the greatest
pleasure we chronicle the fact that all demeaned
themselves properly, and there was not disturb
to bring the slightest reproach upon the meet
ing.