The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1867-05-31
The DeSDOtiSm i'm tennessee,

It is terrible. 1t is outrageous, 1t is I'M
justifable. It is atrocious. 1t IS the culmi-
nation Of a wicked and remorseless tyranny.
tho State government of Tennessee. The
people Of the proud " Old Volunteer State
are under the ban of a power infinitely
worsely, more cruel ard unprincipled than
that of Isham G. Harris. Their liberties are
tramp,ed in the dust and their d]estinies are
in the hands of a naughty bigotcd
and irresponsible faction who rule with the
intolerance Of a Russian Calr or an Eastern
Prince. BY their infamous Legislation q large
majority Of Tsnnessee's white citizens are
denied their political rights, whilst the ig-
nOrunt, lazy and worthless negro 10 Invested
not only with the elective franchise but the
bayonet is placed IN his hands to preserve
the purity Of the ballot.box from rebel votes.
The object in creating military organization
is only TO perpttuate the disastrous rule Of
rebel-persccu.ing and rebel ostracizirg rad
icalism. This howl from the Conserya-
tive and rebel ranks is echoed
aud rc-ecboed from Johnson to Shelby. 1t
is shrieket by their leading orators and re-
bcarsed by their Is ANAL Cry' speakers, and
grogsbop brawlers. They rage, fume, froth,
and grind their molarg, as if hydrophobis
virus had converted their blood into II fluid
Of consuming FIRE.
In their impotent Indignation they arc de-
yising schemes to end the rule Of the old
deyot and are melting Instructions, riots
and armed resistance to the laws Of the land,
to accomplish their nefarions designs. They
urge it as a duty upon all Of the dis;7anchiscl
to 90 to the polls at the coming election, and
vote for the overthrow and anaihilation Of
the " Brownlow Dynasty" regardless Of Law
and fearless Of the bayonet in whose deadly
shadow their liberties are peri5hing.
They who are daily committing these treas
enable acts, delivering these inccndiary har-
angues and laundering from every stump the
b]itterest philippics against our State rulers
are allowed 20 proceed ia their GiabOlical and
outrageous course without the least oppo-
sitloa. And all this under an adverse gov
ernment the most desDote knora in any civ
Rzcd country" What broader latitude Of
speech do the ]reyiIsrs Of Gov. Brownlow and
the late Legislature demand than they now
enjoy ? What greater privilege do they ask
than that Of yillifying, demming and tradu-
cling those into whose keeping is intrusted
The management Of our State afairs2 WhH.
greater liberty would they have the pre-
sumption to demand than Of trayersing the
State, sowing broadcast the seeds Of discorl,
discussion and probably war, and melting by
their inlammatory speeches, riots, insur-
g]ections and rebellion. Have they been
threatened with indictments for treason ?
Have they been harrassed by arrests? Have
,hey been consigned to Dungeons?
The charge shat the State government Is a
despotism is IA infamous, monstrous and
glazing falsehood. The impartial observer
icquaiated with the history Of its reorgan-
ization and the subsequent attempts that
have been made 70. overthrow il, will not be
long 10 reaching the conclusion, that the on
y charge to ii diseredit Is lazity Of re-
''raint upon seditioLists and %rioters.
II the opposition party base their hopes
Of success upon their numerical strength
sad attempt to carry the election By fraud,
intimidation and violence, they may rest sat
iaed they will have to contend With the
.'adieal party armed and backed IL necessary
- The loyal Congress OF the United States.
Eihey desire a qniei and bloodlsss campaign