From Mississippi pass to Louisiana, where anarchy is beginning under the sway of returning Rebels emboldened from Washington.

They say that the whole war was an aggression on the part of the Government, and that they intend to use every means in their power to destroy the Government.

The pretended Legislature is plotting, like such bodies elsewhere, against the freedman.

And yet how can I fail to denounce, with all the energy of my soul, these most cruel and most vindictive attempts to oppress the freedman, to despoil him of rights, and to nullify the great Act of Emancipation?

What Nullification in our history comparable to this most wicked attempt?

The difference between a revenue law and the great statute of Freedom is as wide as the space between earth and heaven.

Where such things are done, there can be small security for those faithful Unionists who fondly hoped for protection under the national flag.

The flag they had longed for is now prostituted to the purposes of Rebels, and they are thrust out from the shadow of its folds.

For myself, I know nothing more touching than the story of Unionists, loving their country and loving freedom, tyrannized by returning Rebels.

What we of the South fear is, that President Johnson’s course will, by its precipitancy, enable the old set to reorganize themselves into place and power.

For Heaven’s sake, preserve us, if you can, from this calamity.

If any man from the North comes down here expecting to hold and maintain ‘Radical’ or ‘Abolition’ sentiments, let him expect to be shot down from behind, the first time he leaves his house, and know that his murderer, if ever brought to…

If the military are withdrawn, his house even will be no protection, and he may expect to be hung from his own chamber window.

I repeat, that any man of Radical views who comes down here to plant cotton will be in constant danger, night and day, unless he holds his tongue.

The ministers of the Gospel, of all denominations, the instructors of the youth of the country, the women, and the young men, all hate the North with a degree of intensity that cannot be exaggerated.

The first condition of prosperity is security; but this is absolutely wanting throughout the unhappy region.

Quiet and peaceful citizens are met on our most public highways and robbed of their money and property, often cruelly beaten and abused, and in many cases murdered outright.

This state of things is not only greatly injurious to the business of the country, but shocking to all sincere advocates of law and order, and to humanity itself.

Murders, robberies, and burglaries are the order of the day.

No man is safe, day or night, within a circuit around Nashville whose radius is eight or ten miles.

The most of these outrages grow out of the abundant use of intoxicating spirits, connected with those gambling hells to be found in full blast on every street in the city.

Life and property must be protected, or the country will go to ruin.

I therefore call upon you, most respectfully, but earnestly, by prompt and decisive legislation, to remedy this growing and alarming evil.

The Sabbath is violated, the sanctuary of the Lord is ruthlessly invaded, and ladies and gentlemen are insulted at every corner and on every highway.

Again I appeal to you, Gentlemen, to relieve the suffering people from this outrageous condition of affairs.