Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-11-06
BrOWnlOW's Appeal.

The following earnest letter. directed in form to
the New York Tribune but addressed in reality
to the loyal masses of the North. is worthy of
general attention as coming from a Southern
Union man tried in the fire:
"Sir-As one who knows precisely what is meant
by solid South beg leave, in view of the per-
lis which threaten our common country, to adj
dress few words of warning to the people of the
North who saved the Union from the malestrom
OF secession. Let no man delude himself into
the belief that the success of Samuel j. Tilden
as the leader of democracy does not mean South
supremacy. | was born in the South, and
have spent my whole life, nearly three quarters
of a century, among the Southern democratic
leaders, aud | know that | understand them |
speak forth the words of truth and soberness when
| say that they intend to accomplish through the
ballot-box what they failed to achieve on the
bloody field. They are deaf to the losses Of the
terrible past. They are determined to carry out
their purposes, and render their past treason re-
spectacle At my time of life, when | neither
seek nor accept office, can have no motive to de-
ceive YOU. an actuated only by a longing de-
sire to see our free institutions perpetuated and
the affairs of this Government so administered
that when | am dead and gone pOsterity MAY en-
JOY degree OF prosperity and peace at least
equal to that enjoyed by the country during my
lifetime l am thoroug bly, convinced yea, | know
that such will not and cannot be the if the
democratic party succeeds in this contest.
As an evidence of the spirit of southern democ-
racy, have only to state that few days ago
Ishsm q. Harris visited Knoxville. He it was As
Governor OF the State in 1861, that forced Ten
nessee out of the Union lie disregsrded the
will of the people as expressed at the ballot box,
and accomplished his purposes with the conieder-
ate troops. In his speech here he defended the
old secession doctrine of State sovereignty, and
said he had no regrets to express or apologies to
offer for the past. He is a candidate for the
United States Senate, and received such an ova-
a been 40 IN N
since the war The policy of the democratic party
in this canvass is to carry solid South with the
aid of the shotgun and pistol, and then, by free
use Of money, enough Northern States to elect
Mr.. Tilden.
On behalf of the Union men of East Tennes-
see, whose devotion to principle was Tried in the
fire who with death and destruction staring them
in the face stsod true to the Union; who met mar
tyrdom in its most terrible forms, and who never
wavered IN the hour OF their countrys peril ;-on
behalf of these, and the Union men of the South
generally, appeal to the people of the North not
to forget the lessons of the past written in char
acters of blood, but stand firm in this contest
With all their proestations to the contrary in the
secret depths of their hearts these Southern lead
ers cherish fond recollectlons of the 'ost cause
and through the election of Tilden and the access
sion to power of the democratic party they expect
to see it resuscitated.
Can it be that in so short time the people in
States which remained true to the Union are
going to forget the fearful struggle which be-
queathed them such legacy of debt; for so
many empty chairs; many widows and or
phans; and more than half q million graves over
which the grass of a dozen summers grows green
to-day, and in which sleep their brothers, hus-
bands and fathers and conde the destinies Of this
great country to the keeping of those who at
tempted its destruction only few years agoi |
cannot and do not believe ii. l know that ii the
people of the North had seen that hdeous rebel
lion as We, the loyal people of the South. saw it,
there would be absolutely danger to fear. |
trust and believe that your ballots the eth day
of November will, like the long lines of FURNISHED
steel in the hands OF your brave sons during the
period from 1861 to 1867 say to the world in thun
der tones, This is nation and as such it shall be
perpetuated through all time
w. G.. BRowNLow.
Knoxville, Tenn, Oct 80, 1876.