The effect of the Union demonstration on the 12th was sensibly observable in Nashville. The secessionists were not half so violent or insulting as formerly, and even the ladies of that persuasion were induced to cease torturing their pretty mouths into an "ugly pout" whenever they met Unionists. Immediately following these good results, and with the hope of extending their benefits, arrangements were made to hold another mass meeting in the interior of the State-in Murfreesboro', Rutherford Co., a region that had been the hot-bed of secession. It came off on the 24th of May. The journalist accompanied Governor Johnson and one of his aides to the scene, and says:

"We reached Murfreesboro' about noon, and by invitation repaired to the residence of Mr. Jordan, a Union citizen, where a bountiful dinner was prepared. We then repaired to the court-house, where, placing a couple of boards on the heads of barrels, a platform was prepared outside the building, and after addresses from the presiding officer, Hon. Wm. Spence, and Hon. Edmund Cooper, of Shelbyville, Governor Johnson was introduced. The audience was a queer mixture of blue coats and butternuts. The latter stood listlessly inside the railing of the court-house yard, and even the spirited and eloquent remarks of Mr. Cooper could not arouse them from their incomprehensible state of listlessness. But as Governor Johnson proceeded they began to exhibit more interest and attention. He seemed to know where and how to touch the hearts of the Tennesseeans, and make them vibrate with patriotic emotions. In emphatic words he urged the deluded and erring Union men, who had by force or choice joined the rebel armies, to return to their allegiance, and to all, except to the 'intelligent and conscious traitor,' would amnesty be granted. Over the whole field of local-and a great proportion of national-politics did this inflexible and defatigable exponent and defender of the Constitution and Union proceed, and for three hours and more enlist the attention of his auditors. It was a sight to observe the sway he seemed to have over them as exhibited in their physiognomies and actions. Now they would lend silent and immovable attention; again, as a striking fact or forcible and pertinent illustration would present itself, they would burst into a laugh and applaud with approving cries of Good for Andy,' 'That's the talk,' etc. And when he particularly alluded to his own suffer

ings and to those of others, and to the horrors that encompassed a continuance of the rebellion, tears were shed by more than one stout and stalwart Tennesseean. The whole meeting and its incidents were matters to be remembered, and they doubtless will be by those who had the opportunity to witness them.

"May 25th.-After the meeting yesterday, Governor Johnson and party accepted an invitation from William Spence, Esq., to visit his mansion about three miles distant, take tea, and tarry for the night. It was a pleasant drive, but nearly all the people we met looked frightened. Reaching the mansion-an elegant and spacious onewith delightful surroundings, the Governor was warmly welcomed by the hostess and some few other ladies. Tea over, with its delicious accompaniments of ripe strawberries and fresh cream, the party were entertained with some charming music by the ladies, and then, after a few hours' pleasant conversation, the Governor retired with Mr. Cooper.

"Shortly after the retirement of Governor Johnson, the company who remained were enlivened by the music of the band of the Third Minnesota, quartered in town, who had come out for the purpose of serenading the Governor. This was an agreeable surprise. What followed was not quite so agreeable.”

It was

I condense an alarm recorded by Mr. Glenn. about eleven o'clock, the company had retired, when the host whisperingly informed him that Colonel Lister of the Third Minnesota had just sent word by a courier, that threats of an attempt to capture the Governor were rife in town, and that for the purpose some six hundred cavalry, supposed to be Morgan's men, were within six miles at sunset. The Colonel quietly sent three companies out to surround the house and wait in ambush for the approach of the rebels. "There need be no fears for the Governor's safety," said Mr. Spence, "if we keep quiet." Earnestly cautioning Mr. Glenn not to disclose the matter to any one until morning, the latter was left to the enjoyment of the agreeable reflection for the remainder of the night that he might at any moment hear the rattle of musketry, the din and clash of arms, with no other defence than "a bolster and a clear conscience." The night passed wearily away,

and by the bursting light of a bright May morning in sunny Tennessee, the journalist welcomed again the sight of green swards and masses of brilliant flowers undisturbed by the tread of hostile footsteps. The enemy had probably got wind of the movement of Colonel Lister and had judiciously concluded to defer for the present the attempt to capture so valuable a prize as Governor Johnson.

Under the same date, the diary continues:

“On visiting the camp of Colonel Lister this morning, Governor Johnson inquired why he had not been informed of the alarm of the previous night, in order that he and his party might have come into town and secured better protection. 'Oh,' replied Colonel Lisser, with all the coolness of an old grenadier, 'I knew they could not capture you, Governor; and I wanted to use you as a bait.' Neither the Governor nor his party saw the precise necessity of using such valuable bait to catch such a bad style of fish. Colonel Parkhurst, of the Ninth Michigan, and Captain O. C. Rounds, of the same regiment, and a brave and noble soldier, also extended hospitalities to the Governor and party.

"The Governor was escorted to the cars by detachments of Minnesota and Michigan regiments, and while waiting for the train was called upon for a speech. He promptly responded by getting on the top of a freight car and delivering one of his spirited addresses. Referring to the military, he said their mission was his mission, and that mission was to restore the integrity of the Union, defend the honor of the national flag, and to re-establish and maintain the institutions of the country. He welcomed the Union soldiery. They had been accused of committing depredations. But it was those who had taken up arms for what they call the Southern Confederacy that are the robbers, the violators of female virtue, the incendiaries that burn and destroy the property of unoffending Union people, He prayed that God's red hand might be raised to crush the rebellion, and that the soldiers of the Union would go on conquering and to conquer in the great cause. The rebels may violate the wives and daughters of Union men, they may transfer our fertile plains into graveyards, but never, never shall we surrender the cause wo are fighting for. If it were his destiny to die in the cause of liberty he would die upon the tomb of the Union, with the American flag as his winding sheet. This speech was received with vociferous

applause, and at its conclusion the soldiery and citizens joined in singing Hallelujah,' with a grand chorus and thrilling effect. "

"June 2d.-The Union meetings inaugurated in Nashville are being followed up. One was held to-day in Columbia. It was addressed by Governor Johnson and Neil S. Brown, the first appearance of the latter on the Union platform this season. An apprehended accident, whether premeditated or otherwise, came rear putting a stop to Governor Johnson's appearance as a speaker. Taking a car-, riage, with one of his aids and our correspondent' at the railroad depot for the hotel, with a small escort of soldiery, the horses, from some cause or other, took fright as the carriage was passing up a hill at the edge of a steep embankment, and suddenly turned nearly around. Governor Johnson's quick eye discovered the movement, and in a moment he opened the carriage door and landed upon terra firma, followed by the other occupants of the vehicle. Had the carriage overturned at the spot, and the danger was imminent, there is no knowing what damage might have ensued. As it was, the Governor concluded not to try a similar experiment; for there was no calculating what mischievous or dastardly tricks the secessionists of the vicinity might undertake in order to wreak their vengeance upon him, and he concluded to walk the balance of the distance, about a mile and a half.

"The meeting was held in a market space, under a building used for some local official purpose. Mounted upon a butcher's block-the stump of a huge oak tree-Governor Johnson delivered another of his impassioned addresses to the soldiers and citizens present. Hon. Neil S. Brown also spoke in behalf of a Union restored, declaring that the rebellion was played out. Much disappointment was felt at the non-appearance at the meeting of Colonel Wm. H. Polk, brother of the late President Polk, who was instrumental in getting it up. His hospitable residence had always been a favorite rendezvous for Union visitors.

"June 7th.-Following the meeting at Columbia came another at Shelbyville to-day, by far the most significant since the mass convention in Nashville last month. The meeting was held in the Fair Grounds, and from three to four thousand persons, including many ladies, were present. Speeches were made by Governor Johnson, Mr. Wisener (President), and Colonel Scudder, once a secesh, now a strong Unionist. It was an enthusiastic and demonstrative gathering. Colonel Scudder was an interesting feature of this occasion. The Colonel said he entertained Southern views and had gone for separation. He beliewed it now to be the duty of every citizen to submit to the Government. He regarded the position now as that

of two fellows engaged in a free fight. They pitched in and one got a thrashing. That was the South, and it should acknowledge the fact. Colonel S. was Inspector General under the secesh Governor Isham G. Harris. He was in the Mexican war, and lost an eye in the battle of Monterey, under the then Colonel W. B. Campbell, afterwards Governor of Tennessee.

"The frequency and growing popularity of the Union meetings started by Governor Johnson, and steadfastly adhered to by him and a number of courageous Union sympathizers seem, to have startled the secesh, and they are throwing in guerilla bands about the country and committing the most appalling outrages upon those who avow Union sentiments and attend Union meetings. We have alarming reports of their near approach and their depredations as we prepare to start from Shelbyville for Nashville.

"At Wartrace, where an enthusiastic Union meeting was held a few days ago-the only one, by the way, which Governor Johnson has not personally attended-the commander of the post, Colonel Sidney M. Barnes, of the Eighth Kentucky, notified Governor Johnson that a large body of mounted guerillas were in the neighborhood, and that their intention was to incercept the train on which he was on its way from Shelbyville. They had already committed outrages upon peaceful men and women returning from the meeting. Colonel Barnes offered the Governor a guard of all the men he could spare, his force being very small; but the Governor declined the offer. At Unionville and Bell Buckle, a few miles further, we again received rumors of the presence of guerillas in force. Nothing daunted by those alarming reports, Governor Johnson ordered the train to proceed. Reaching Murfreesboro, evidence of the bloody work of the guerillas was seen. The bodies of six or seven Union men, murdered by guerillas, had just been brought into town. They were killed a few hours before, outside the town, near Readyville (a village that takes its name after the father of the wife of the notorious John Morgan). Colonel Lister, commanding the Murfreesboro' post, notified Governor Johnson of these facts, and urged him to remain over night, under guard, in the town. Much excitement existed among the town's people, and they unitedly pressed the Governor to remain, as they were confident the train would be attacked or destroyed before it reached Nashville. My friends,' replied the Governor, ‘I thank you for your kind solicitude; but my duty calls me to Nashville and I am going there to-night.' The passengers were in a great state of perplexity and anxiety. Some concluded to remain over; others determined to stick to Andy Johnson;' and one of the latter, discovering in the twilight a four-leaved clover by the side of the track,