Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-03-04
MAURY COUNTY.
The GubernatOTIRI COn1est-''hRster-
Iy neutrality-suspicious. Effects
OF Martial Law

The GubernRfOTlRI Contest u aster-
Iy Neutrality-suspicious. Effects
Of Martial Law.
Correspondence of the Union and American.
COLUMBIA, Feb. &c, 1851 am highly
gratifed at the communications have
seen recently in your paper fsVoriDg the
policy of mastery inactivity on the
part of the so-called "rebel element in
the next Gubernatorial election. The
Judgment of the thinking men of this
county b9s been decidedly in that direc-
ton for months past. / have had an OPP
portunity Of converting recently with
several intelligent, practical men of other
counties, who concur in this opinion. j
have no hesitancy in saying that, in my
Judgment, the more intelligent and cOnsid-
crate portion of the non-voting population
of Tennessee are in favor Of the policy Of
''hands off, in the next election for Cover
nor. OF course we will not be unmindful
of the Importance of securing a Legisla-
ture of good men upon the platform of
"Let rs have peace"
We learn from the authorities at Nash
vile that martial law" prevails over our
county, and that the militia" are to deter
mine our rights to "life, liberty and prop
erty." If any circumstances would war
rant such policy, they would at least
have to be very remarkable and momen-
tous. On the contrary, our county has
been unUsually quiet and free from crime.
/ have been acquainted with the docket of
our court for twenty years, and my i'm
preston is that it never made as good
showing for the peace of the county as it
has for twelve months past. Who under
stands the condition Of our community 30
we'll as the Judges of our Circuit and
Justices Courts and the executive officers
thereof, the Sheriff and Constables, whose
sworn duty it ia to execute the law? And
from Judge Hughes down, who would not
go before Gov. Senter tomorrow and tes-
tify upon oath that there ia no occasion
for this great wrong to the peace and
prosperity Of our people. Not one, | cay,
And who are these peace officers that
would thus testify Not rebels"
but loyal men " elected by "loy-
aP votes. We have in our county
fifty free schools-eighteen of them for the
negro population-moVing on quietly and
prosperously, as shown by the report Of
the Rev. Mr. Mack, their efficient Super
intendent, whose loyalty was never
questioned. We have number of schools
Of higher character, afording advantages
for education unsurpassed in the South, and
supported principally by patronage from
abroad. Our county ID covered with
churches, increasing in good works, afford
ing religious advantages for all races and
conditions. Northern men, attracted By
our genial climate, fine soil and orderly
society, have been settling in our midst and
writing back to their friends to follow on.
And yet in the face of all these indubi-
table facts, a proceeding, unparalleled in
the history Of free people, has been re-
sorted to, breaking down the pillars of free
government, paraIyzing all industrial in
ierests, and threatening society with an
archy and ruin. Is it possible that the |
world can furnish another such a crazy
despot as, by accident, has recently ocan.
pied our gubernatorial chair Is it pos
sible that any respectable man, outside of |
the lunatic asylum, can be found to carry
out such a programme For the sake OF |
the sake of everything dear |
TO hitherto free people pray there may |
be none such.
Our courts are suspended. No process |
can be Issued or executed by our officers. |
Guardians, trustees, administrators, e1ecu- |
tore, and suitors Of every character, are
stopped in their business. Labor is de- /
noralized; capital is alarmed and thus a
but recently wasted by the
-avages of war, is Paralyzed in all its efforts
% reinstate itself in the great march Ct
progress and improvement. The picture is
not only shocking to contemplate, but
to all who have a just pride
q the honor of the American name. If
his is to continue, the sooner we have an
emperor the better, as one despot is far
preferable to the tyranny of the mob; and
Is usurpation, however great, is never so
obnoxious as when controlled by Vulgsrity
md ignorance. MAURY,