Article Text
Editor's Correspondence. NASHVILLE, July 29th, 1865. Crowded with business, and besieged by an army of applicants to the President for pardon, I have but little time to write articles for the public eye Nevertheless, I have to say that I had a pleasant ride from Knoxville to this place. The Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad is in better condition than I ever saw it since the road was built. I never before felt safe on that road. It is well managed by the Government, and is supplied with some of the best and most skilful mechanics this vast country affords. The trial of Champ Ferguson is full of interest, but progresses slowly. The court room is daily crowded by visitors, who watch the proceedings with deep interest. The prisoner appears to be in good health, and watches closely all that transpires. He frequently advises his counsel in the examination of witnesses. He is calm, and firm at all times, even when his cruelties and cold-blooded murders are proven up to the hub. His countenance never changes, even when the witnesses recite the most desperate acts of murder on record. The Bible accounts for this, in saying that some men are given over to hardness of heart that they may believe a lie, do deeds of violence, and be damned. Furguson's case fills the bill laid down in the Bible. Nashville is sweltering with burning suns, and melting heat distracts the old and young-causing men to run about after a breeze, dodging into the shade of a house or a fence, panting like sheep in a pasture, under the rays of the sun. We have an occasional death from sun-stroke, and an over-charge of ice-water. Others eat too much fruit, and too many vegetables. Brandy cock-tails, touched off with ice and mint, are in great demand. But few persons call for hot toddy or complain of Jack Frost. In every direction the perspiration flows, some use handkerchiefs and some use their linen coat sleeves. All seem desirous to annihilate space, and escape to regions more cool. For myself, I sit in the Capitol, where no air is stirring, and sigh "for a lodge in some vast wilderness, some boundless contiguity of shade!" The present has been a remarkable season, and the general testimony is that finer crops of corn and oats never grew. And SO far as corn, oats, hay and vegetables are concerned, a year of plenty, under Providence, is to let fall its great supplies on the foot-prints of "this cruel war." Some contracts have been made for corn in Middle Tennessee at thirty cents, but men of experience say it will sell for less in the fall, even for twenty cents. Fruits are said to be abundant, and very fine. Indeed I never saw as fine peaches in all my life as a lady in Franklin has sent to me. Irish potatoes promise a large yield. Cattle are fat, and the abundance of pasturage puts mules and horses in fine condition. Political matters are running high in this quarter. The rebels seem bent upon voting, and bidding defiance to the Franchise act. In too many instances Clerks allow men to register without administering any oath, or even asking a singlequestion. Certain it is that men elected in violation of the law can't get a certificate of election at the State Department, no matter how large their majorities may be. The law will be adhered to, and this I announce in advance of all returns. The rebel soldiers, however, who were out in front, and fought for the whole time of the war, are more kindly disposed, and show less of bitterness and less of a disposition to rebel and keep up troubles, than these home rebels, who were never in battle, and who are here protected by the Federal authorities, under the Federal laws. One Reuben Roddy, formerly of Jonesborough, a noted guerrilla chief, implicated in the murder of some Union men, under 8 pretense of holding a court martial over them, was arrested in Kentucky a few days ago, and is now in the military prison at the penitentiary in this city. He will probably come to see that he sat his coulter a little too deep in Upper East Tennessee during the reign of the rebels. Justice may overtake him after all, though a little slow in reaching him. Some letters were found in his possession that the writer will not care to see published. There is some excitement at Memphis, growing out of the seizure by the military authorities of the Commercial Bank. The charge against the Bank seems to be counterfeiting and swindling generally, both as to the Government and individuals. There is a half million involved. Several arrests were made, and among them Parkham and Brooks, large cotton agents. No particulars are made public, but the authorities will put them through. W. G. B.