New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-31


LETTER FROM KNOXVILLE EDITOR-DEMOCRACY
RESPONSIBLE FOR IT-REPUBIICAN EAST ZEN
NEssEE OPPOSED TO 1T.
To the Bdttor OF ire Tribune.
SIR: 1t il historical fact that at the com
mencement Of the late rebellion IN the South that part
OF the State OF Tennessee lying east OF the Cumberland
Mountains loyal 10 the Union Neither threats
from Richmond Confederate bayonets were sum
cent drive these loyal mOuntaneers from their Stea
fast devotion TO the Government OF their fathers Nheh
question OF secession for action at the ballot
box in February 1851 IL was opposed IN the most de-
tcrmIned manner by such political leaders az Andrew
Johnson W. G.. Brownlow and Judge Nelson, all now in
their graves and not single OF all the thirty coun-
ties in East Tennessee gave majority in favor Of seces
son. Not a single seccssionist was elected 10 the
proposed Secession Convention, and the people by an
overwhelming majority said they wanted no convention
held. Later when the armed hcsts Of the rebellion ere
quarcred upon them, and the machinery Of a rciless
conscrp law put into operation for the PUF'e OF
forcing them to fight FOR cause which they hat ncer
the most aggravating circumstances Thousands a. hem
fed from the country, crossed the mountains on the
Kentucky border and joined the Union army From
first to last about 10000 enlisted in the Federal
army. or the old AMI mddledaged men, such rs Iren-
btt Montgomery Thomburgh, father OF the present Rep
reseDtatye in Congress from the Second Tennessee Dis
trct and many others arrested, Cast into prison.
aud suffered death for their principles.
Since the close OF tae war; East Tennessee, With but
Insignificant proportion of coorcd voters, has been
largely Republican. The Ist District has been repre-
scented in Congress by Democrat owing to dis
sensons in the Republican ranks. The Id District has
been rs uniformly Republican as any District in Massa-
chusets and Is That part OF East Tonuessee in
Guided in the lid District Is also Republican. Ny pur
pose in abiding to tie history OF East Tennessee,
and It's political status since the war; will appear from
what to follow We arc people entirely distinct from
the other divisions OF the state Our political sentiments
have always been different In the late contest in the
House Of Representatives for the repeal OF the Resump
ton Act both Of the Eaot Tennessee Representatives
voted large majority Of East Tennesseeins in
favor OF maintaining the National credit and keeping
promises 20 the Nations creditors.
In the contest which has been going in the Tonnes
Legislature for several days which has resulted in
81 race 10 the Commonwealth the East Tennessee Rep
resentayes have stood almost solid the repuda-
ton Of the state debt. OF twenty-five Representatives
and Senator's from Last Tennessee Eve found who
are favorable 10 Republication in any formal Demo
crJts. East Tcnncssee1ns loyal 20 the Government
and fought against the disgrace Of secession. They
loyal 90 the Government now, and % their state and OPP
pose tho still greater disgrace Of reputation Repudia
ton Is roD0 rs, and El; Ienne'seeans VIII not be pay
ties % IT, We consider that state bias right than
ndi, uu 20 rcpudate honest debts. IL Is given ont
for compromise. This Is fase. II any bona
ndc bondu0.dcrs have made any such propO-
hands Of band OF 20 bbers and tley VIII consider Them
selves lucky ley on win anything no all II is tor
, Te,oL h as ll. they have proposed compromise.
Most of the talk about compromise comes from spccu-
a.or3, Who interest u tie welfare the state,
.ui who are aetuatcd solely by the Wcuest motives.
Ayavir0us, rUpuoUa, dishonest corrupt speculation
Is no the bottom of 10 all Tennessee Is the victim OF dis
honest F.u.s. WHO have practised upon tAe cX-
ample of B0 Tweed and the Tammany
thieves. Tennessee is able 10 ray every dollar Of
hcr debit Nothing but dishonesty the Iart orr pub
Dc etcl, Will prevent DC. But BOW appears npossi-
be for the state escape the iniaHy OF Repatriation
oar state Government j. ln tie hands OF the rng--of
the highway robbers. uisgJued rcpulatOr-. They
willing tO take advantage " the fact tnat state cannot
Doe sued ami compelled 10 ply, 20 avoid the payment
oar iI-t Ohgar IDS. Disgrace is Inevitable. We East
I.nucsscc3us op O,rI tlc ltiesy OF ana
WO have opposed the ID HucrltC party, partly because
believe ir 10 be dishonest party, desire that the
world shall know our position. Reputation VIII not
prevail H virtue OF our votes. oar representatives. in
tLe l. -laturc she representatives. oI honest dealing
WIlu t4Osc Wacm owe While We cannot proven, the
contamination of this pa 'aulus piece of yIy, de-
s.r the word 80 Know that We are not responsible
fo~lt. WILLIAM RULE.
hn0Irile Tenn. Dec -, 1877.