Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-08-07
TORCH AND TUKPENTINE.

The Radical PIaus-ArsOn and RillaSt
Savage Warfare Contemplated and
Prenared EOF-Startifng Facts-What
viii the citizens and the AUthori-
/ ties DO?
! The following facts came into our pos.
/ session Yesterday, through a source so reli.
able that we cannot withhold it from the
public. Taken in connection with the
well-known fact that hordes Of negroes
have been drilling nightly in various gu
burbs Of the town, il assumes a shape and
Importance not only startling, but such as
demands immediate action on the part of
those who are charged with the protection
Of the city and its people.
A person we'll known 10 this community
for his extreme opinions, and his proclivi-
ty 10 express them, a Radical without re-
proach as such, living on Market street be-
tween Church and the Square, has declared
repeatedly that there are organizations
already perfected, for the sole and special
purpose Of destroying the towns OF Frank
lin, Columbia, Pulaski, Murfreesboro and
Nashville, whenever the slightest occasion
presents itself, or whenever a collision Of
any kind shall occur in either Of the pla-
Ces named. Signals have been agreed up
on and lines Of communication established.
This organization Is now measurably
complete, and ia progressing daily, This
person states that be is engaged in this
organization, and that when it enters upon
the execution Of its purposes, that it will
spare neither age, sex nor conditiOn-that
the houses Of all Rebels shall be burned,
that women shall be ravished and their
children tossed into the flames.
From other sources we are Creditably in
formed that negroes now In the employ of
the corporation have prepared turpentine
balls and other COmbustibles to destroy the
city whenever the signal is given, and that
these materials are now stored in a house
occupied by the city and used for public
purposes.
We further learn that these organizations
are led and controlled by five white men,
whose names are In our possession, some of
them now occupying official positions of
Importance in the city government.
We have purposely RETAINED from men
tioning any names, for the re son that we
think it is due that the matter should be
Immediately brought before the appropri-
ate authorities, in such manner as shall
bring about an investigation. 1t is not the
purpose Of this oppressed community to
aid in bringing on a war, but the contrary.
The facts above stated, however, have come
to US in such shape and upon such author
ity as cannot be disregarded. We call
upon the Mayor of the city, whose duty
II is to protect the people, TO take cogni-
zance Of this matter. We are prepared
to furnish him with the names
OF Witnesses. II he refuses to act
we shall call upon the citizens to organize
for their own defense against this diabolical
plan Of destruction and outrage, and be
ready TO sweep from the community all
who are engaged in this atrocious and
savage yillainy.
Unless prompt action is taken by the
lawful authorities, we shall consider them
az the allies Of this hellish conspiracy, and
appeal TO the people to resort 10 the only
remedy, selfprotection, left to them in the
premises.