Year: 1863




great pleasure to meet with the people
of Franklin, and Williamson county. II
used TO be one Of the most hourishing
and prosperous counties in the State.
All is now sadly changed. The people
once free and unrestrRined cannot 60 be-
yond the picket lines without pass, and
they are under military control. Why
Because they foolishly involved them
selves In war against = good govern
ment. / am not here TO upbraid, nor 20
abuse any one, but you have acted un-
wisely, and now you are passing through
painful ordeal, although the rebellion
70 nearly played out. You went into the
rebe lion, doubtless, deceived by false
statements and promises, and with the
belief that you would better your cOndi-
ton and establish your rights on more
secure basis. You were basely deceived.
Let me appeal 10 you then to retrace your
steps, change your course and come back
to the support of the Federal Govern
ment Resume your former position in
the Union, enforce the laws, and permit
the soldiers TO return 10 their homes.
Then what shout of joy would come Up
throughout the whole North. The citi-
Eens would all rejoice, and the soldiers
would heartily rejoice also. We would
all exult in the return of the reign of law
and order, union and peace
When was in franklin three years ago,
you did not have to get passes; you
could go to Memphis, Nashville, or Lou
isville, or anywhere else, without being
halted by picket and ordered TO show
your pass. Would you not like exceed
iugly 10 be able to do so again To 90
wherever you pleased on any highway,
railroad or river without pass, and
without being ordered to halt? never
felt so humiliated in my life as felt
when had to get pass from General
Buell., when was on the Committee to
surrender Nashville. am in favor of
receiving these people back. l am OPP
posed TO hanging them, or taking their
property, if they will stop their oppOsi-
tion TO the Government now. Many of
them probably thought they were doing
tight. remember hearing some Of the
rebel speeches. They said, we have
| al kO ,rsI
make five States moro out of Texas;
Kentucky and MarylA land would follow,
and, oh, what government the southern
COnfederacy would be What glorious,
magnificent, powerful nation nd then
to think of the glory Of fighting IN q
Second war of independence Why
it was perfectly intoxicating. Every body
ran wild. The old women caught the
enthusiasm and went 10 making clothes
for the soldiers and sending their boys
off into the army, to fight for Dixie.
Well that army collected by thousands
in all portions of the country, they took
your corn and cattle and paid you in
Confederate money. suppose you have
none of it now, for somehow il was not
considered very valuable. Presently the
Yankees got after that great army and it
ran away. And you are now as inde
pendent people as ever saw


A great reason why you should be
aroused to q discharge OF your duty,
withou' delay, is TO avoid despOtism In
the future. SO soon as the rebel army Is
driven from the State, which will happen
within thirty days, then we must arm
ourselves to protect the people and put
down guerrillss, and let this army go
where its presence is more needed We
must put down these wretched mArauders
who are rObbing numbering, and burn
ing all over the country. Every man
must unite in this work. Old and
peaceable as l am, II one of you sh0uld
come to me now and propose TO fight
these guerrillAs, would drop everything,
go straight home and - get a spade Ia
dig the rAseally guerrila's grave, while
you took your gun and shot him ! Now,
fellow citizens, come back and help To
re-OrgAnize your civil government and
will be high priest for the present and
forgive you all. love these people bet,
ter than do the Yankees, because know
them, and don't know the Yankees, and
have no doubt that their people like on'
of them better than they do two Of us
want the President to issue proclA'
mation forgiying every rebel. But say
one, care you willing to pardon JEFF
DAvisT' Wouldn't it be better to 10
him 20 than to sacrifice one hundre'
thousand Of our brave boysp WhA
. would be the privilege Of jar DAVIS


to drag on, the pOor, miserable eEisienc,
. he would have TO lead for the remnan
Of bis natural life? Then let Us do any


thing TO restore the government As !
was. What is our condition now
! l can't take a arkin Of fat hve miles int


the country, without permit from Par
| 49,. ur..,,v, an aud a narn from the Pro