Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-08-14
THE KNOXVILLE WHIG
Knoxville, Tsnn., August "a, 1867.
The Old Flags Back in Tennessee.
Terms of subscriptions

Enough geturns have come in during the past day
TO warrant the announcement that the Union party
hss carried Tennessee by over forty thousand ma
iority The State won for freedom on the bloody
fields Of Fort Doneson, Murfreesboro, Chiclamau-
ga franklin and Nashville-the Virginia Of the
West-has been saved by the ballot from the deadly
grasp Of Johnsonism.
There are people and papers in this country and
IN this State who will weep bitterly at the result of
this election, and denounce tyranny and oppres-
sior the armed power Of the Government which
preserved peace and order. More blood would have
delighted the Democracy Of the North, who, in the
issue of the Tennessee election on Thursday, have
received terrible blow. Many persons may be
tempted 10 sympathize with their complaints and
10 listen TO their invectve aud passionate accusa-
tions. But let US think for only one moment what
would have been the consequences lad Brownlow
been defeated. The years of history would have
rolled back TO the days of slavery and ignorance
the war would have been fought in vain the breast
works Of Stone river would have been carried and
the dark forests OF Chiokamaugs defended, at the
cost Of thousands Of human lives, 10 no purpose
the graves Of tens of thousands OF Union
soldiers would have been handed over TO vi
olation and insult; the sacrifices, the tears, the
money, the wasted lives and darkened homes of
years Of war we might sum up, in the despairing
words Of Booth Useless, useessP All the mean
ing of the national revolution through which we
are passing-all that we have been struggling and
dying for in the mighty conflict that has closedwas
bound up and involved in the issue of the election
in Tennessee.
Brownow may be a rough and violent man. but
Just such men are wanted 70 bring State out from
the fiery furnace of slavery and vested wrong. We
do not put him forth as a model. We would not
willingly see him Governor of Pennsylvania, but
we do want him for and rejoice in seeing him Gov
ernor Of Tennessee. That State where Z Uaion men
have been hunted 10 the caves and dens; where
Union women have been insulted, stripped, and
logged; where blazing homes and unreaped fields
attested the owners devotion 10 his country-that
State where children have been Slaughtered where
murder and rapine and treason have run riot needs
a master. That she has got one who is true TO the
Union and himself that she has in this crisis escap
ed johnson, let us be devoutly thankful.
The scenes at the polls where, for the 6rst time,
the black people OF State cast thor ballots, were,
il we may credit the telegTaphic reports far re-
Alleghanies TO the Mississippi, was one grand tab
leau-the apotheosis of the great conflict.
Tic ballots Of the cotorCd Uoters i0ere cast for free
DOM They, in spite Of the abuse Of foes and the
fears Of friends, have vindicated their manhood
But, leaving for another time the great moral and
political verdict of this election let look 10 the
Immediate results. Tennessee has Governor who,
whatever else may be said, viii steer fearesBly and
true. He goes in by majority which is lesson TO
him and 10 all Union men the whole country over.
The cities of Tennessee Nashville and Memphis,
give their thousands; Columbia, the home of the
Polks and Pillows, the very centre Of the aristo-
cratic interests and strength of the State casts more
than 400 votes for peace and Union; and even
the notorious stronghods of guerrlladom contribute
handsome maiorities. Tennessee is teaching to her
rulers and to all doubters, the lesson which the peo
pie taught TO Congress last year
We see better days coming for Tennessee in the
result Of this election. To be there men of
a certain class who are filed with gloomy hppre-
tensions for the future, but il is fact that when
ever these doubling patriots filed with gloom
Just then tho national skies have always been bright
est. She has now Union Governor, Union Leg
sature, and she sends q solid Union delegation TO
Congress. In the various Legislative tickets we
recognize the names of many Northern Union sol
ders who are now citizens of Tennessee, among
others those of Captain Eugene Cary and Captain
william c. Bunts officers who served with distinc-
ton in the armies Of the West. The talents, en-
ergv, and enterprise of such men are the best con-
tr6uton made by the North TO the assistance of the
devastated South and the fact that they invited
so early by Tennessee 10 participate in her councils
IS a recognition of their worth which argues the
happiest consequences.
We congratulate the loyal men Of Tennessee that
after years of sufe .ng and wrong after a trial
which bss proven their metal, they near
ing tho port Of prosperity and philadelphia
Press.