Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-10-03
THE GROWING SHAME.

ulace--seenes and Incidents of Yes.
terday.
Yesterday was the darkest in the history
of Nashville. For several days the people
had anxiously awaited the decision of
Chancellor Harrison In regard to the in
junction which should have stayed the hand
of tyranny in its fell descent upon this de-
voted community, and the ablest jurists Of
Nashville had appealed for them; bat the
sword of impeachment swung threateningly
above the head Of the hesitating Chancel-
Tor, and he yielded to his master.
AS soon as HarrisOn's refusal TO grant the
Injunction became known, A. L. Alden, the
so-ealled Mayor elect, waited upon Mayor
Brown in person, and, armed with the fol-
lowing documents, demanded the surrender
Of his Office:
NASHVILLE, Tenn, Oct. 2, 1s67-W.
MATT. Brown, ESQ, NASHVILLE, TENN.
Sir: Having been duly elected and
qualified Mayor of the city of Nashville,
and sworn into Office as such, have the
honor TO demand of you the possession of
the Office, and books and papers pertaining
to the same, now in your custody.
| am, SIR, very resp'y your ob't serv't,
A. +. ALDEN, Mayor.
OFFICE COMMISSIONER OF REGIsTRAs
TIoE FOR DAVIDSON COUNTY, NASHVILLE,
Tenn, Oct. LIST, 1871 hereby certify
that at an election held on the 2Sth day of
September, 1867, at the places appointed
by law, in the city of Nashville, for the
municipal officers of said city, the follow
ing named person, viz: A. E. Alden, was
duly elected to the Office of Mayor of said
city, as appears from the returns made to
me and certified in the manner prescribed
by law. B. J. SHERIDAN,
Com'r Registration Davidson Co., Tenn.
After a careful perusal Of the papers,
Mayor Brown replied that he did not pur-
pose to vacate his Office until forced to do
so, as he considered the election illegal and
void, as well as an outrage upon the
people.
Alden retired, and save the little knots
of Aldermen, Councilmen and hangers-on,
there was nothing upon the streets TO indi-
cate that anything of more than ordinary
moment was pending. All was quiet
throughout the city, and even the decision
of the Chancellor had lost its prestige az a
bit of street talk.
At about five O'Clock a detachment of
thirty-fve mounted militia, under Joe
Blackburn and Lieut.. Alloway, moved down
from Capitol Hill toward the Square, and
in few minutes drew up in line of battle
between the market place and the court
house, where they formed horrid 'front.'"
and prepared for action-back action, per-
haps but it was evident they meant or
feared something. The citizens, a large
crowd of whom soon gathered, looked at
the filthy tatterdemalions in wonderment,
and expressed pity rather than hate for the
ignorant Young tow heads, who were tremb-
ling in their boots lest they should be fred
upon by the police. A suggestion was
made by a spectator who feared trouble,
that a stream from the Eclipse engine be
turned upon them; but all joking was laid
aside when their errand became fully
known. r-s
Blackburn and his lieutenant, after
fercely galloping about for some time, dis
mounted, and taking several of their men
with them, started for the Mayors Office.
They had considerable difficulty in finding
it, and explored the third story of the
building before they could be set right,
but finally reached the room Of the Mayor,
who was conversing with Marshal Brantly,
Capt. Paterson, and a number of other
officers.
Meanwhile, the crowd on the Square had
rapidly augmented, and the most intense
excitement and indignation prevailed.
Thousands of eyes were directed to the
window of the MAYORS Office, and the
stairways were thronged with eager multi
tudes, pushing and crowding their way up
TO catch glimpse Of what was passing.
There was no talking or threatening, 30 alb
sorbed in the proceedings was the vast
assemblage.
The militiamen crowded into the Office of
the Mayor, who quickly rose to meet them
as they entered. Heavily armed as he was,
Blackburn covered beneath the eye of
Matt. Brown, and as the Mayor demanded
his business, he trembled with excitement,
In an excited tone, and by the assistance
of Alloway, he finally managed to blurt
ont that he had been sent to take posses
sion of "this place" 81 have forty men
here" said he, land am ordered to take
charge Of the books and papers Of this
Office, and I'll have to do it. If you re
fuse, / must use force"
"By whose authority is this to be done?"
asked the Mayor.
"By authority Of Mayor Alden, through
Gen. Cooper" hesitatingly replied Black
burn, a little thick of speech.
Capt. Driver, who could hold in no lon-
ger, aayagely growled that the Mayor had
no right TO resign his office TO Alden.
"Do you mean that You are sent TO take
charge of all the city offices ?" continued
Mayor Brown.
"Don't know" returned blackburn
Suppose It's the Mayors office"
"Well, It's most unparalleled outrage,
and one | do not propose 10 submit to until
/ see by whose authority it is done" said
the Mayor.
"Its the d-dest outrage ever perpe-
trated upon free people !" exclaimed
Driver.
If You will bring me a written order"
proceeded Mayor Brown, / will con
slider it.
81 will use force if you do not choose to
submit, replied Blackburn.
"I want an order" persisted the Mayor.
"Well, here, | believe have one" said
Blackburn, suddenly recovering himself,
and drawing partially out of his pocket
paper, which Mayor Brown almost snatched
from his hand. Blackburn clutched at the
document, and insisted that it be given
back. The Mayor insisted on keeping it
10 copy, aud only resigned the paper after
reading it and receiving a pledge from
Blackburn that his request would shortly
be granted. The following is verbatim
copy of the orders under which Blackburn
acted, with certificate of its CORRECTNESS F.;
upon the reading of which Mayor Brown
resigned his Office:
HEADQUARTERS Tenn. STATE GUARDS,
NASHVILLE, Oct. 2, lS67.-GEN. JOS. A.
COOPER, COMMANDING STATE GUARDS
GENERAL; A. + Alden, Esq, Mayor elect
of Nashville, reports TO this department
that he is resisted in entering upon the
Office 10 which he has been elected and
qualified, you will therefore aid him with
whatever force Is necessary TO enable him
10 overcome any illegal resistance or inter
ference he may encounter in entering upon
the discharge of his official duties.
By command Of Gov. BRowELow.
II. II. THOMAS, Acting Private Sec'y.
The General commanding having re-
ceived the foregoing instructions, orders
Capt. Jos. II. Blackburn, commanding Co.
A. Ist Tennessee State Guards, TO proceed
at once with his command, to the City Hall,
and render A. +. Alden, Esq, Mayor elect