Nashville Union And Dispatch

The fearful nature of the evils now being suffered by the people of Tennessee, and the still greater ones that are impending, impel those who assume to speak for the public to speak plainly and fearlessly. There is not a man of intelligence in the State, of whatever politics, who does not know that we are in a terrible condition. The guiltiest leader of the party whose policy has inflicted these evils is as thoroughly satisfied that the interests of society are being sacrificed, as are those who are struggling to relieve themselves. Is it not strange, then, that there should be a class who appear indifferent—men who fold their hands and offer to make no effort—who, when approached and asked to co-operate in measures looking to relief, tell you that matters are indeed bad, and will inevitably grow worse—that the Brownlow despotism is the meanest and beastliest that ever existed, yet, when solicited to attend a meeting, or extend assistance and encouragement to those who have the spirit to work, positively refuse? At first thought, it is singular that such men should be found. But, when we reflect upon the events of the past few years, and study the steps by which peoples have passed from a state of freedom and personal independence of action to that of servility to official authority it is readily accounted for. Power once seated in place and hedged in with the forms of authority, has favors to grant as well as punishments to visit upon those who are indisposed to quietly abide its usurpations. One means of sustaining itself, is the appeal it makes to timidity, selfishness, and avarice. In this way it gathers to itself the treacherous, overawes the faint-hearted, and, to a greater or less extent paralyzes the efforts of those who have the courage to oppose it.

Twelve months ago, it was not thought possible that the shameless autocracy that has saddled itself on Tennessee could exert such an influence upon any worthy, intelligent citizen of this State but in the progress of this canvass, the evidence of this fact are manifest. In portions of the State there are men in a material point of view having a larger interest than most of their fellows in the early rectification of affairs, who are standing passive—whose faces are never seen at a Conservative meeting—whose voices are never heard in encouragement of the movement for the enfranchisement of the white people—whose fists grip tightly on their bonds and greenbacks—and from whom no expression can be wrung but a damn against Radicalism uttered in a corner and with bated breath Do these men ever reflect that, by their indifference and inaction, they are giving moral aid and support to the Radical party? Are they unaware of the guilt they are incurring in the consequences of the continued sway of that faction? Do they dream in a false security, and think that in these turbulent times, they have no public duties? Do they hope by non-committalism and an abjuration of their political individuality, to offer sacrifice to the Moloch of Radicalism, and escape the apprehended common calamity? If they do, very well We do not wish to prescribe a course of conduct for any man, and we know, also that there are many citizens formerly in public life whom it does not become to figure prominently at this time but we can tell that class for whom these remarks are intended, that if it is in the book of fate that this country is to be crushed on the wheel of Jacobin misrule, they will not be the least among the sufferers, and that when the parchments on which property titles are written are being consumed in the lurid flames which will light us all to destruction, they will not have the consolation of having attempted to avert it, nor the commisseration of those who are cognizant of the cowardice and selfishness which aided in producing it