Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-09-16
The Regulators.

Gov. Stevenson, of Ken lucky, found four eoun-
ties in his State disturbed and turbulent owing to
the depredations of lawless bands of men, under
the name of Regulators secret organization that
outside of law and in violation of order undertook
to wreak vengeance upon those obnoxious to them.
He issued proclamation, ordering them to disband
and desst. This was Intellectual. He summoned
the militia to the number of three hundred men,
under Adjutant General Woolford Grass falling,
the stones succeeded. The Regulators disbanded.
But latterly they have reappeared, and again the
Governor has had occasion to warn them. The
Louisville Journal seconds the efforts of Governor
Stevenson to enforce the laws in the following elo-
quent passage:
To this wise and lofty invocation let the people
Immediately respond in the spirit which animates
it. Let 1t be so responded to in particular by the
people of Mercer, whose good name is particularly
imperilled by this lawbreaking gang. Let the peo-
pie of Mercer stand by Gov. Stevenson now as they
stood by him last fall under like circumstances.
Let them, as they then did, hold public meetings,
denounce the acts Of the Regulators and do their
utmost TO bring the Regulators themselves to ius-
tice Let them turn full upon the offenders the
blasting force of public opinion. Thus much they
owe TO themselves as well as TO the rest of the Com
monwealth.
They are disgraeed by the existence of this band
In the midst of them, and the longer il continues
the deeper will become the disgrace. Let them do
what lies in their power 10 rid themselves of this
ever deepening disgrace and if anything further is
wanting, the Governor, when called upon, will
promptly supply it. He if necessary, will again
send to the scene of disorder the gallant Wolford
who will again make short work of the law-break-
ers. But the people really will not be under any
necessity Of calling upon the Governor. Their own
local officers have at command all the power neces-
tpof tha al
erly exercised there viii be an end of the Reg
ulators And it is the duty it is the interest Of
the people to that this power is proper " exer
cised. The duty is imperative Let them faithfully
perform it.
The Regulators must be suppressed. They must
be completely suppressed. Their complete suppress
sion is demanded BY the interests not merely OF the
Commonwealth, but of every class in the Common
wealth, including their own interests. Law and
order are the universal interests. To what we ask
can the Regulators look forward if they persist in
their criminal enterprise? To nothing but death
BY retaliatory violence or by violated law. No
other doom awaits them. If they do not fall be-
meath the hand Of violence the law sooner or later
viii lay on them hand weightier far and not less
relenting This is their doom; and they can escape
It In only one way, which is by instantly dsband-
ing themselves, and never banding more. In this
way they may go unwhipped Of justice, their by
cones, terrible Is they are be bygones and the pas
be gradually forgotten. Bet in any other way thew
will meet the doom which We have set forth
Which way will they pursue? We submit the
question 70 their better judgments and their better
natures. Let them rapidly ponder it for il their
case, we assure them, the law win not dslav,-
The law is bleeding, nstice Is outraged and public
opinion is aroused and viii ere long Be merciless
Instant disbandment is their only hope. They must
disbaEd or die.
An this is well in Kentucky Why not in Ten
Oessee7 Gov. Stevenson is sustained by the Jo,syaI
in his proclamations and militia. When Governor
BrownlOw attempts similar course In Tennessee
il is oppressive military depOtism, and i. will in
duce civil war. The BaHnSr, Dispatch, Appsal,
AuaIaache, all-Tray, Blsnch, Sweetheart-join in
the cry, and instead Of doing what the Journal
properly does, advising unlawful organizations TO
disband and keep tho peace, only extenuate their
crimes and counsel continuance.
SENIOR EDITOR.