Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-06-18
GEN. THOMAS MEAN PARTISAN.
SHIP.

Gen. George II. Thomas has exhibited
his Radical prOclivities on every occasion
that has presented itself One Of the
smallest of his acts of petty despotism
is his treatment of Lieut. Payne, Of the
fifth cavalry. Lieut. Payne was sent to
Knoxville three or four weeks ago to aid
in enforcing the revenue laws Of Cons
gress, which were being openly and noto-
riously violated by Radicals in Claiborne
and other counties He did his duty so
well that Mr.. Rollins, the Commissioner
of Revenue, wrote a complimentary note
in reference to the energy and alacrity
displayed by his command 1t seems
that Lieut. Payne is not Radical, and
this is a very grave offense in the eyes of
the members of that party about Knox
vile, who appealed to Gen. Thomas to
have him degraded in some way. The
charges preferred against Lieut. Payne
are that he permitted his men to be too
much in town, and that they made it a
practice of galloping their horses through
the streets; also, that he is a Conserya-
tive in politics. In communicating the
action of Gen. Thomas on these ridicu-
lous charges, which should have been
dismissed with a severe reprimand of
their authors, Col Hough says:
'Tn regard to the charges affecting your
associations and identifying yourself with
political assemblages, he has only to say
that you have used your right TO hold and
express your political opinions in such a
manner as 10 destroy your usefulness as an
officer in that locality. An officer Of the
army on duty in a community violently
excited and socially divided by political
differences of opinion, should conduct him
self so as to gain the respect of all parties.
The Major General commanding deter
mines to remove the command from Knox
vile, and take no further action in the
matter"
The Knoxville Press and Herald says of
this matter:
To the people of Knoxville the various
contemplate insinuations against Lieut..
Payne and his command have not the re-
deeming virtue of being outright falsehOods.
They are but the fimsy pretexts of mali.
eious cowardice resorted to for the purpose
Of concealing the unworthy motives that
have prompted this proceeding. That
Lieut. Payne has actively participated in
political assemblages" is known 10 be
false by every respectable citizen of Knox
vile. That his men were disOrderly and
riotous is equally untrue. No, the SIM
pie truth ia, as we have stated, that
Lieut. Payne was known 70 be friend 70
the cause Of his commissioning, An
drew Iohrson. He did not allow his men |
though they were not so disPosed-to |
break up Democratic meetings, to violate |
ballOi-boxes, to plumber and plllage through |
the country. He did not fawn upon or |
truckle TO BrowulOw or bow the knee TO his |
authority. He did not throw himself into |
the embrace OF a negro league and consult |
As his guides, the Carpet-baggers and bum |
nlers that engineer the Radical machine. |
For this and nothing more, Thomas, who !
in all matters of this kind has shown him !
self TO be but the supple tool of Brownl0w, |
has interpreted his military authority. Had |
Iieut. PAYNE been Radical streei-brawler |
had he ordered his men to attend regu-
lady. at the negro league room-had he /
made himself suPphant instrument In
the hands Of BrownloW for the further OPP |
preston of the People.of this portion Of |
the country--no word of complaint would |
have ever come from the headquarters Of |
this marSelously proper Thomas.
How long the President will continue 10
ne rnail his subalterns 10 punish and ofhcisl-
h degrade men for being his friends and
Gr This only. remains 20 be seen.