Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-04-11
ImPUDENCE uNPARAIYrIrn

AhauueuS OleVehs, nor Charles
Sumner, nor Ben. Butler ever pro
claimed a policy against the leaders
of the rebellion so fierce, bloody
and unforgiving as that to which
Andrew johnson pledged himself
in the United States Senate and
before the people" 1t must be
borne in mind that the editor Of the
Press and Times Was the editor of
the Nashville Union, which was
published here during the war.
Now let us see what right he has to
arraign President Johnson before
this community, even if he were
guilty as charged. Does he come
before the people of Nashville with
clean hands and a clear conscience
TO accuse the ex-President ? Is his
reputation for mildness and cour-
tesy towards the people of Nash
vile during the war such that they
should listen to his accusations
against his old benefactor and
protector? Let us try him by his
record. In the Nashville Union of
November 5, 1862, he said
We now warn secessionists that they
must make their choice instantly between
loyalty and Punishment and confscation.
1t is utterly absurd and every candid
secessionist must admit it, to think that
Rebels will be suffered to live among
loyal citizens Either the Rebels or the
loyal must seek another abode.
During the first part Of the month
of November, 1862, all communica-
ton with the country was cut off,
and by order of Gen. Negley, no
one was permitted to go beyond the
picket lines. This condition of af-
fairs continued until starvation
threatened the citizens of Nash
vile. On Nov. 8 Gen. Negley is
sued an order-''in view of the ar
rival of reinforcements, and wish
ing to contribute relief to the loyal
citizens Of Nashville by permitting
them to procure provisions beyond
our lines"-directing Gen. Gillem,
provost marshal, to issue passes "to
none but undoubtedly loyal citi-
zens" to procure supplies Of pro-
visions. What did the editor of the
Press and Times say of this diabol-
zeal attempt to starve the women
and children belonging to secession
familes2 Did he denounce it as
heartless and cruel, and a disgrace
to the civilization of the age? Not
a bit of it. He rejoiced that it was
issued, pronounced it a 'judicious
order" and said "it is well that its
benefits are offered only to the sup
porters of the Federal government,
and not to its vehement, malignant
and untiring foes" With fendish
malignity he rejoiced at the pros
pect of starving women and chill
dren because they belonged to Sc
cession families.
In the Union Of Nov. %, 1862,
he urged the Federal army to "leave
no enemy in the rear" and said;
"Unless our government is blind to the
lessons of the SD experience in Tennessee
which it has undergone since last spring,
it will not content itself with pushing for
ward mighty armies, under the lead Of
able Generals, and leave the country 10
their rear full Of traitors and Rebel
spice. We declare our conVic-
ton that much leniency and indulgence
have, both here and elsewhere, been not
only unproftably but iniuriously EXTENDED
TO men whose souls are deeply dyed with
treason. These persons, who
are merely slumbering volcanoes of tres.
son, are allowed to transact their business
under our flag unmolested. We
have many such men in this city, who are
Just so many obstacles TO the restoration
of peace. They are the secret service corps
of treason, and are rendering Gen. Bragg
more service than if they were in Muir
freeshoro. Their presence exercises q
most unwholesome influence upon loyal
citizens, who regard their remaining here
as a confession of weakness on the part of
our government. There ia no longer any
room for neutral men among us. y
| If he does not care for US, why ought we
from among rs as a leper. Let
us purge Tennessee clean of Rebels"
Again, in the Union of Tee. %,
he said
at is as much the interest and duty Of
a wise government to expel all disloYal
| citizens from its borders, as it is the part
Of prudent man to expel poisonous SUBJ
stances from his system. DisloyaltY is
the poison of the State, and it's expulsion
and destruction is a necessity. :
Let us purge Tennessee of traitors
Let us drive from her borders every &C
tive and intelligent enemy. The State
does not need them; they are an unmit0
igated curse to her, a formidable obsta-
Gle to her peace and prosperity. Why
should we longer barber traitors in
Nashville2 Let us Danish them and
compel them to give place to loyal cts
liens and better men. This is absolutely
essential to our prosperity"
1t was thus that this "hOwling
Dervish' demanded the Punishment
of all citizens who happened to
sympathize with their friends and
kindred. The most insidious az
peals were made to the authorities
to Danish men who were here quiet
ly pursuing Their legitimate avo-
cations, that they might be impris-
oned and their wives and children
rendered homeless But he was not
content with demanding their ban
ishment. Fearing that this would
not be done, he howled as only he
can for the confiscation of the
property of all "Rebels." Listen
to what lie said in the Nashville
Union of Dec. p, 1862:
"Why should Andrew johnson and
Mor1ard bo afrinrnH Of oil thar