Year: 1861

This issue of the IPhg must necessarily be
the last for some time to come--I am unable to
say how long. The Confederate authorities
have determined upon my arrest and | am to he
indicted before the Grand Jury of the Confederate
Court, which commenced its session in Nashville,
on Monday last. | would have awaited the in
dictment and arrest, before announcing the re-
markablc event to the world, but M | only pub
lish n weekly paper, my hurried removal to
Nashville would deprive me of the privilege Of
saying to my subscribers what is alike due to
myself and them. | have the fact Of my ndct
ment and consequent arrest having been agreed
upon for this week from distinguished citizens
legislators and lawyers at Nashville, of both
parties Gentlemen of high positions, aud mem
bers of the Secession party say that the indict
ment will be made because of some " reasonable
articles in late numbers of the Wing" | have
reproduced those two " reasonable articles on
the first page of this issue, that the unbiased
people of the country may " read mark, learn,
and inwardly digest" the treason. They relate
to the culpabe remissness Of these Knoxville
leaders, in failing to volunteer in the cause of
the Confcdcracy.


According to the usagcs of the Court, as here
tofore established presume could go free, by
taking the oath these authorities are administers
ing to other Union men, but my settled purpose


is not to do any such thing. can, doubtless, be
allowed my personal liberty, by entering into
bonds to keep the peace, and to demean myself
towards the leaders OF secession in Knoxville,
who have been seeking TO have me assassna ed
all Summer and Fall, as they desire me to do,
for this is really the import OF the thing, and
one OF the leading objects sought to be attained.
Although could give bond for good behavior
for one hundred thousand dollars signed by fifty
as good men as the county affords, shall obsti-
nately refuse to do even that aud II such
bond is drawn up and signed by others, will
render it null and void by refusing to sign it,
In default of both, | expect to go 10 Jail, and
am ready to start upon one moments warning.
Not only so, but there | am prepared TO lie, in
solitary confinement, until waste away because
of imprisonment, or die from old age. Stmu-
lated by Il consciousness OF innocent upright
ness, will submit to imprisonment for life, or
die at the end of a rope, before | will make any
humiliatng concession to any power on earth


have committed no ofTense--I have not
shouldered arms against the Confederate Gov
ernment or the State, or encouraged rebellion,
publicly and privately--I have not assumed q
hostile attitude towards the civil or military
authorities Of this new Government. But have
committed grave, and | really fear unpardon-
able oilenses. | have refused to make war,
upon the Government of the United States |
have refused to publish to the world false and
exaggerated accounts of the several engage
ments had between the contending armies |
have refused to write out and publish false veP
sions OF the origin of this war; aud Of the break
ing up of the best government the world ever
saw and all this | will continue to do, il it
cost me my life. Nay, when ! agree to such
things, may righteous God palsy my right
arm, and may the earth open and close in upon
me forever


The real object of my arrest and contemplated
Imprisonment is, to dry up, break down, silence
and destroy the last and only Union paper left
in the eleven seeded States. and thereby to
keep from the people Of East Tennessee the facts
IL II
Davis had stated in Richmond, in conversation
relative to my paper that he would not live ina
government that did not tolerate freedom of the
press after the judges, attorneys, jurors, and all
others filling positions Of honor and trust under
the Permanent Contsltution," which guaran-
tees Freedom of the Press and after the entire
press of the South came down in their thunder
tones upon the Federal Government for suppress
ing the Louisville Courier, and the New York
Day Book, and other secession journals-l did
expect the utmost liberty TO be allowed to one
small sheet whose errors could be combatted by
the entire Southern press 1t Is not enough
that my paper has been denied circulation
through its ordinary channels Of conveyance in
the country, but it must be discontinued alto
gether or its editor must write and select only
such articles as meet the approval OF pack OF
scoundrels in Knoxville, when their superlors In
all the qualities that adorn human nature are in
the Penitentiary of our State! And this Is the
boasted liberty of the press in the Southern
COnfederacy.


| shall in no degree feel bumbled by being
cast into prison, whenever it is the will aud
pleasure OF this august Government TO put me
there but, on the contrary, ! shall feel proud
of nv confinement. | shall go to Jail as John |
ROGERS went to the stake--for my principles. /
shall 90, because have failed to recognize the
hand of God in the work of breaking up the
American Government and the inauguration of
the most wicked, cruel, unnatural aud uncalled
for war ever racoraed In history. l 90, because