The Portland daily press., 1869-02-01
Heading Off Andy johnson.

Mr.. j. Austin Sperry, writing in the last
lumber OF P0ckdsd's Monthly, gives the fol-
lowing Renaissance OF East Tennessee poll
tics:
In May OF 1851, 1 had business in Blonnt-
vile Couit House, Sullivan county, in the
northeast corner OF the State, bordering on
the Virginia line. 1t was bright summer
morning that l cantered over the rough coun-
try road beng obliged to perform the journey
between the nearest railway station, Bristol,
and the ancient village of Blountviile Ia dis
tance OF nine miies) on horseback
AS rode along encountered an unusual
number OF the older citizens of the county
going in the same direction. A temporary
residence in the vicinity had made me ac-
quainted with many of them; and, having
been present at the County Court the day be-
fore, easily guessed their destination, and
the occasion that drew them from the secu-
sion OF their homes. l availed myself, how
ever, OF the communicativeness of one old
farmer, unposted as regarded my own move.
ments, to learn something of the prevailing
sentiment of the section.
"Golng to Blountville to see the rumpus ?"
ne asked, after we had exchanged the usual
cIviities OF the road.
What rumpus ?" / asked in turn with
pardonable affectation OF ignorance
Haven't you heard of Itch? Well. YOU
see, Andy johnson and Tom Nelson have
made an appointment to make Union
speeches in Blountvlle to-day. Curious how
tnem two old political squabblers have got
into the same bed together, ait it? but
they'll kick the 'kiver off before long, and
then there'll be an exposure. l hear tell
they've been making speeches in the lower
counties, right among the Southern troops
Shouldn't think the fire eaters OF the Missss-
ippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas would
stand it-would you?"
nad non-committal reply, and reminded
MIN that he had not fully enlightened me as
" tne anticipated raunpus at Blountville.
VI, yes-wel, you see, after court, yester-
uay, tne people held a meeting and resolved
.uat oohlisoh and Nelson shouldn't speak any
Unlonlsm in this county. The times gone
by ior tnat, you know; but it's reported they
are going 10 Try it on, ANYHOW. If they do
there's going to be blood split I've boen
Union man myself till this proclama,io :, INF,
Lincoln's fist proclamation, caIlina ont
seyenty-hve thousand troops to suppress the
Do you see this?" 'iS lie
The interrogatory had reference to an old
fashioned fiint-lock horse pistol, which he
drew from his pocket and hourished before
my eyes, as he continued
II amt young man, and this is an old
pistol-but the things dangerous, and if ANDY
johnson tries any bullying to-day he'll find
it so! lie DraSs that he once brought down
Nashville crowd with cooked pistols in their
hands. He'd better not try it here. When
pistols are drawn in Sullivan they're mighty
apt to 60 Off
Was both amused and surprised at this
unusual display of viDdictive political feeling
upon the part of a hitherto peaceabe old far
M niei, put confess | was still more surprised
~ ~ near such threats against Senator johnson
I@o nS Inen was) in this county, which was a
considerable stronghold of his polticaI and
personal friends. ms Poi'i'"' 'N
o,o MGen a, IL reached Blountvlle about 10
O'CLOCK IN The forenoon, l found a crowd of
over thousand of the substantia, Ely. aG liz, ~
zens OF the county gathered in front Of tbe
Court House. THE young men. eaaer t tor
the impending tray. we're already away in
CAMP Mmgling few moments in the
OPEN hearted crowd, l learned the tact that
committee of three of the most conservative
citizens of the county had been sent out to
meet the Union orators, to lay before them
the proceed .ngs Tor decisionl of the previous
days meeting.