The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1867-06-06


relations upon us by wanton searches Of
our homes, and the seizure of property,
falsely pretending that they had authority
TO search our houses II seize our stock as
the property Of the United States govern
mcnt. In the exercise Of this pretended
authority, they have robbed rs, cursed and
abused our wives and children. and de-
nounced all who questioned their right.
They have taken from u farmers their
means 0 making their crops, in some in
stances, and appropriated the property so
taken to their W use. They maintain
their right to take the lives ofOur citizens
with impunity, They have kept our COM
munity in constant terror by threatening
the lives OF many Of u citizens. They
went to the house ofOne of our citizens in
The nighttime and fired several shots at
him,.nld he saved his life only by flight.
They took another quiet, law-abiding citi-
zen from beside his hcart'l-st0nc, and, dcs-
pite the tears and prayers Of his wife and
aged father, they took him to the woods
and shot him down like a dog. His red
handed murdcrcrs are still at large, and
are d%cnounGing the most terrible VEN
geance against all who question their pre-
rogatiyc TO rob and si:y us 1T their will.
Impoverished az We are. many OF our peo-
pie living in that portion of our county
nave been forced to abandon their homes
and their growing crops, in order to save
their lives. and in every part ofour county
our people are filled with fear and apprc-
hcnsion; and. indeed, so absolute and COM
plcte il the reign Of terror they have inau-
guratcd that many Of our people are afraid
10 meet with Us to pcaccably present our
wrnngs to the consideration Of your En-
cellency.
This terrible state Of affairs Is beyond
endurance, and inasmucli as this cruel,
bloody. lawlcas band was organized, armed
and set over us by our State authorities;
inaSmlch aS it is your duty, as Chief Mag
%i-tratc, to see that the laws are faithfully
executed inasmucll as we have the right
to pcarcably assemble ourselves together
and petition for the redress of our grievan-
ccs; and inaslnIch as we have an abiding
confidence in your solicitIde for the well
fare and protection Of all law-abiding cit
liens, without reference to their antece-
~dcnts;-wc, therefore, earnestly entreat
your EXccllcncy, if you question either
the propriety or cXpedicncy of removing
hclawless band which is depressing us,
that You will send to our county 4 sufii-
! cltilL hummer DI NdtlbilIl JIOOpS w pIo-
tect our persons and property, and bring
to punishment the murdcrers of our peo-
pie.
And if your EXccllcncy deems it mex
pcdicnt 10 extend The relief for which we
pray, we most, earnestly and respectfully
petition your EXccllcncX/to signify your
willingness to protect Us in any legal step
we may take in exercising the natural
right Of Sclf-dc!rnce, and your petitioners,
a. IN duty bound, will ever pray for the
welfare and happiness Of your Excellcncy.
\. 5. MARKS,
HENRY SINGLETON, (Col.)
j. j. WILLIAMS, Com.
i. VI. Pryor,
W. j. SLATER,
The meeting adjourned, after all bus
mess houses had been designated as
places for the reception OF names to
the petition. Before the shades of
night had obscured human vision,
about 1000 names had been signed,
and with this manifestation Of the pub
lie opinion we hope for relief from the
tyranny Of Brownlow's reckless ma.
raudcrs.
1t is due to many who signed this
petition for US to state that q large
number are Northern mcn--men, some
of whom served in the Federal army,
and they sign this petition, not as par
ties to any unanimity of the people of
Franklin county in the struggle for a
separate Government from the United
States, but as evidence that the state
mcnts in regard to the action of this
militia arc true, and they, as citizens,
no~ feel the necessity Of relief, and
know that the complaints of our people
are wcll-foumdcd.
We now close our remarks by CIV
in. the anidavits Of Mrs. NJ. f.. Brown,
and Mr.. James N. Hampton. We
could give the oaths of many others
who haye bccn outraged, but have not
room this week, -