Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-11-03
EX-GOVERNOR HARRIS REPLY to
BAXTER q co.
From the Chattanooga Times,


RoGERsvILLE, Oct. 80, IS72.-EDIToB
CHATTANOOGA TINES: Some two or
three weeks since l was invited by por-
ton of the citizens to visit MOrristown on
the 2sth inst, and address them upon the
issues involved in the canvass for Congress
for the State at large. / arrived at Morris
town on the night of the 9th. On the
morning of the 26th Col. John Baxter
called at my room and asked for division
of time. informed him that was there
upon invitation, and had no right to control
tie matter, but would say TO my friends
that preferred that they give him an equal
division of time. While we were talking of
it one or two of the Committee came in,
and in Col. Baxter's presence l informed
them of Col. Bakers request, and that
hoped 1t would be granted. They consent
ed and informed Col. Baxter that they
would give him an equal division Of time,
but would REQUIRE him to speak first. This
he refused to 90, saying that he did not
know that be would wish TO say a word
until be had heard me-that his speaking
at all would depend upon the character of
my speech.
Notwithstanding, Col. Baxter refused to
agree upon a division of time, l consented
70 commence at the unusually early hour Of
1890 a. NJ, in order to give him an OPpOr-
tuuity of being heard, and to enable my
self 10 get of on the 2:30 O'Clock train, my
only means Of getting to Rogersvile, where
: was to speak the next day.
AT the close Of my address, appealed 10
tse audience to remain and hear Col. Bax-
Ter and Col. Cameron in reply 10 Col. BaX-
Ter, but informed them that [ was compelled
TO leave in order to get my dinner and get
Of on the train.
/ was as.onished this morning to see in
the Knoxville Chronicle, and Press and
Herald, that Col. Baxter isTeported to have
ConlTOverted no fact stated, OF argument
made by me, but to have devoted his entire
speech to a criticism Of my political record.
IF this was Col. BSxter's purpose when he
asked for a division Of time, he was uncan-
did when be said that his speaking at all,
would depend upon the character of my
speech, IS my speech Of that day could not
clauge ny political record of the past.
am quite as much sstonished at the
character of the attack as at bis want Of
fauBuess in not avowing his real purpose.
While no one but myself is responsible
for my political and public acts, past, pres
ept or future, and therefore they certainly
have netting to do with the issues of this
canvass, whether right or wrong; yet, so far
from shrinking from, l invite the most
searching and critical scrutiny into each
and every political act of my life.
But while invite that scrutiny, / beg to
assure Col. Baxter and the Press and Her
aid that [ will not silently and tamely sub
init 20 misrepresen tation, either By asser-
Liun or ilsinuatiOn.
What are the charges made by Col. Bsx-
Ter? He says that violated the CODstitu-
ton, in 1861, "nOt only in the particulars
charged on Johnson, but intOtO." deny it,
and challenge Col. Baxter TO point out a
single instance in which l violated it in any
enc OF the particulars charged on johnson,
og in any other particular. He states that
IN 1861 the people voted against separation,
by majority of 81 600, and proceeds:
Harris then convened his Legislature to
force as out. lie made a military treaty with
the COntcderacy and transferred Tennessee to it.
Then ne armed $500 soldiers, dtsdrmed the Peo-
glle, and then again submitted the secession
question to us. With his soldiers he droUe us
into rebellion"
Now, what are the facts? There was a
majority against Convention" on the 9th
FeDyusry, 1861, but that majority was o.
tanned on tis idea that the questions were
susceptible of seGts0nlent or compromise
without resorting to the desperate remedy
OF separation on the one hand, or coercion
on tie other, the majority being hopeful of
settlement, while the minority, which voted
for "Convention," had no hope of adjust
ment, settlement or compromise; but after
this vote in February no action was taken
until President Lincoln adopted the policy
Of coercion, and announced it by the issu
.ance Of his proclamation of 10th April,
1861, calling for "75,000 volunteers to en-
force the laws" Upon the issuance of this
proclamation every man in Tennessee re-
allied the fact that war was inevitable.
The only question then was, Which side do
YOU take? and Gel B. certainly knows that
al overwhelming majority Of the people of
Eeunes ee, including the men who voted
against Convention in February, promptly
decided 10 take the side of the South; and
1t the election on the Ssh June, 1851, there
was large majority for separation. But
Col. Baxter says they were forced so TO
vote / deny it, and call upon Col. Baxter
for the name or names Of any person OF
persons who voted separation" under mil
itary coercion or intimidation.
Ii is not true that l "made a military
treaty with the Confederscy, and transfer.
red Tennessee to it,"
Inc Legislature auOPOOH q ~
ton requiring me to appoint three Com
missiolers to enter into military league
with tie Confederate States, and appoint
ed Hon. A. w. o. Tstten, g. A. Henry
and Washington Barrow, who did enter ia
% q isasue with the Confederate States
which vas ratified and confirmed by the
LP-isl.gurs on the Iih May, 1861. IL was
The &C. IF the Legislature, not ialne, though
AK. p aasure ia Informing Col. Baxter
tba- 4 TprYyediU.
c.. ..sT.g saws:
.r a the Llca Creek bridge was buTued =
Tennessee aud Viz -inia Railroad. SeT
sns were charged with doing il, Haur
.nJn and son arrested for II, / defended