Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-12-02
ENIOR EDITOR.
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Ef ton.
Three years ago, it was currently reported and
believed by many that Knoxville was an earthly
pandemonium, where riot and bloodshed held high
carnival--where those who "kept time TO the music
Of the Union regarded no music go sweet as the
death-cry of murdered rebels, and were instigsted
10 glut their vengeance by promises of safety and
protection The Governor was represented as
standing ready TO pardon all who thus grstifed
their thirst for blood; while the United States troops
were inadequate to preserve Order or worse, were
said 70 connive al deeds which it their duty 10
prevent.
While individual instances Of personal vengeance
have doubtless been perpetrated in East Tennessee
as well as in other portions of the country, they
were as punishment for weighter offences than the
mere fact of having served in the rebel army, and
never equaled the acts Of fendish strocy prsctced
when Rebellion was in supreme power. The rebels
we've the prime movers il deeds Of personal yindic-
tiveness, and if rotrlbuticn has been visited upon
some of them in return they should blame them
selves. Men who made themselves obnoxious at
the commencement of the war by partisan violence
certainly cannot expect to be treated with the
cordislity and trustfulness as those who favored
peace and tranquility nor yet respected as is an
honorable foe who, though he may have fought 10
the lest ditch yet was governed by the laws Of
civilized warfare and, when in bis power sssuaged
its horrors by those amenities characteristic Of a
gallant adversary.
Countless instances might be cited to show that
seeming vengeance was only justice in advance of
the legal tribunals, but il would be 70 no purpose
Mob vioenceb to be deprecated at all times, though
some Of tbs best men in the land have advocated
the peoples right to administer punishment in Pc
cularly aggravating circumstances and maintained
that then it was not mob law But while insult
and oppression have been avenged in some in
stances, the soldiers Of the Union after the csssa-
ton of hoslites, entertained no hostility towards
the masses of the Southern army. On the contrary.
they wished to be friends, and rarely demeared
themselves conquerors in the presence of the con-
9uered. The ex-rebel soldier is respected as m an
and is entitled TO- and receives the protection of ,Be
laws so long as be obeys those laws and the Union
man must conform TO them as well
The condition Of affairs in some portions Of the
South is in many respects worse than in 1861.
encouraged to some extent and should be still fur
Their encouraged now--is repulsed, and likened to
the advance of the Goths and Vandals through the
plains Of Italy Men desiring to settle in the South
who would sid in building up trade, commerce
manufactories and improved methods Of agrieul-
lure are denounced as being opposed to the INFER.
'SN oil the State wherein they locate for no other
reason than their supposed Union principles, and
ali manner OF opprObrious epthets are heaped upon
them. Nor Is this all; the true mer IF tbe south
VINO l0iesee the advantages Of Immigration in deyel
Opiie ua'u'S' resources which would otherwise lie
uornAnt are as cordially hated. The leaders of
the old ssveholding ArstocFacy are eousllv as in
tolerant OF the 'scalswag' of the b.oror
and place them in the same category m. -.
of slavery being destroyed, thew soak :, ~. :.
power by universal prescription of No,,,,o~. -
and also of those Soptherners who dare f.r,- A.
advancement Of progress and prosperity w,a, -
coOpanied by liberty and equality, contrary -
sdeAs Of feudal despotism.
Union men are threatened with a loss az 49,
or OF employment if they express their view. sna
when possible the negroes are similarly tre,,ol
bribed 70 vote The Democratic ticket. Norso,t..-
demagogues stop at those eompara,ivelv ,o,,u,
means of coercion The rope OF bullet Of Tho K,
Kluz assassin is as available now as wss oyer -
hired stiletto Of tho Italian bravo. The Conc.,o
rate soldier even, who fought their battles is looto
upon with suspicion and aversion by these fomcnt
ors Of strife if he honorably observes the spirit
the oath OF allegiance; and discharge from Ii,
FEDERAL army is sufficient 10 brand its bearer will
lhtAmy. An intense hatred Of all men and meas
ure hkely TO produce acceptance of the true con
o1tioh oil AfAirs-State and Nationals still q cha
iAcserstic Of those disloyal men. Rule or ruin
SUI Their motto and it remains for the peonlo :,
say whether 1t shall continue or whether a., ~ a.
order shall henceforth prevail.