Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1870-06-10
Letter from Colonel BaIier--No. 4.

| "SIR; | have already informed you (by a
short letter previously writtent bf my arrest and
detention here as L understand by your order,
and requested an early investigation of the
charges to be preferred against he. - =
arrived in this city on the evening Of the 18th
ultimo. coming directly from bone ON legiti-
mate private business. On the evening of the
3lst, was arrested and committed to this pris-
on, where have ever since BED detained ex-
cluded from friends, and withouy Information, 1
am left to conjecture the cause sfImy arrest. 1
take it that this action of yours1s not based on
any misconduct of mine coming under your own
observation. 1t must, therefore be predicated
on the suggestions of others. 'i''dI l'l'
. Allow me to say, strand / 10 so in no vain
and boastful spirit--that let your information
come from what source it may, and let the inn
putation be what 1t may, if sufficient to justify
my arrest and imprisonment it Is groundless,
and without proof to support it $ and all ask is
the privilege of being informed what the impu-
tation is, fFpm whom it emanates. and the right
to confront my cowardly accusers. -
This is, perhaps, as much as lam now called
on to say. 1t does not become me TO defend my
self against an unknown charge. L II go farther
it is not incumbent upon me To defend at all
until prinsa facie case is madei by competent
proof. Nevertheless, i will waive this conceded
right and present you with; the history of my
political action for the past twelve months
II was earnestly opposed to the action of Ten
nessee in severing her connection with the Fed
eral Government. With my strong convie-
tons strengthened bysubsequeIIt events) of the
improperly and danger of SECESSION, / have
thought that my willingness toafquesce in the
rebellion was quite concession 10 the, popular
will. About the middle of last ,Fine N661) at
tended convention of Union MEN fat Greene
vile, where found majority h delegates ia
vorable to the organization ola Provisional
Government for East Tennessee. with an Exc
cutive, Legislative and Military Departments
The unanimous judgment of aie Convention
pointed to me as general comntn of their,
forces. Sir, j was not blind to Il personal ad-
vantageS which such position n ,uld have con-
ferred. l saw at glance, and fomprehended
the whole situation. With the Recommendation
of a Convention representing $500 Uhioiiists of
East Tennessee, could have gone to Washing
ton, had their accommodation sconfirmed OBJ
tanned money, procured arms, With NIL otT er ne
cessary supplies for an army, raturnea to the,
northern border of East Tennessee, took posi-
ton in Kentucky, and rallied n the Feders
standard from 10, coo to 70, 600 last Tennessee
ans; and aided by the Feder& kiovernment. if
had not commanded absolute Ascess Il could
have made such ademonstrati would lnse
weakened fhea C9nfedF~ at, other1
points, and by this mva adering the
transit of Confederate tro~ z - II East Ten
nessee-inseribed victory Il, q srreeeral arms on
other battle fields. 3l-T f.flsfrl
AT this period of time, the foregoing may
appear to you eXtravagant. But you will re-
lnelnDer lhaC Ine contest mas since increased III
Many things which might have
been done then would not be practicable now.
. have reasons for believing that the Federal
Government desired an East Tennesseean to
command her forces near that locality. This
position, through the recommendation of that
Convention, could have secured. There was
nothing for me to do but to have quietly gone
through the lines-at that time an easy task
and appropriated it. Had L done so, as prete1l-
tlous as the claim may appear to you, the Con-
federate Government would have been made to
feel the effect ofmy blows Success would have
failure could have worked no injury to me; and
If were as mean and as u,,principJed as the
persons to be hereafter referred to- who hold DO
sitions under and possess the confidence of, the
Confederate Government L could have easily
managed to have provided ample means out of
the monies passing through the hands of staff Of
Ulcers to be appointed by myself, to retire upon
into some favored locality in the North, there
TO enjoy the luxuries of wealth and the honors
due tie one who had nobly sacrificed his home
and property in defense of the integrity of the
National Constitution. The fact is, sir but few
men have had presented to them such an oppor- |
tunity as was then thrusting ITSELF upon me- The |
temptation, l am well satisfied, would have Sc
1uced and overcome the boosted patriotism of |
any one of my corrupt and infamous revilers
-" But with full appreciation of the personal |
advantages which the opportunity offered, and |
ng the Federal constitution, / declined the rich |
md seductive invitation. And | did this be- |
,ause L apprehended what has since been real |
zed, that the Federal Government, in the pride |
If its power, would attempt to crush out the re-
oellion by some harsh and vigorous policy. |
which /, as a Southern man, couldnever sanction |
My heart and affections were then, as they are
low in favor of maintaining the Federal Con-
titution. l have never failed to look apon the |
pending war as an unnatural and unnecessary
me, and have never yet seen the day when 1
would not, (if [ could have done so) interfered
With the kindness of Moses, ara said, 'Ye are
brethren, why strive YEP '.'-.s ID
ITO our present fearful danger we have been
ragged by. ambitious men Of the two sections of
.ur country struggling against each other for po-
itical power The property, of the South, the
equality and sovereignty of the States and the
constitutional liberties Of both sections are en-
iangered by this most unnatural contest This
S strong language, but / write deliberately and
mean what [ write. But the evil is upon us;
he people of the North and South have so
yllled it, and 1t behooveS every patriot to act
honestly with himself and with his country and
o support the men and measures which will
most probably conduct this national affection to
IN early and favorable conclusion
why, then, am l suspected, arrested and
as dangerous character? Simply
because cannot or will not believe that this re-
'ellion was necessary in its origin wise in its in
,eption, and successfully and properly conduct
d. This is the plain truth, and plainly spoken,
md if deemed sufficient to justify you in re,
training me of my liberty it will but verify my
worst fears of the tendencies of t9is revolution,
md your oppression will be subbitted to with
IS good grace as any man of r 4 spirit and
positive character ever submit siaiustice at
he hands of tyranny. Lar re truth
heugh the heavens fall G an law
ully take no cognizance Gov
'rnments protesting to b. ed bv
free people and amena' ;nion.
'ught not to abridge orr m of I
Peecn- Inc views her hon.