people. ,«ntial contest is how —zer. Although rebels and guerril .<•« invested many portioit# of our State, yet the vote of Tennessee, and especially East Tennessee, is eminently gratifying to the friends of the Union and freedom. The magnitude of the political struggle through which we have just past can scarcely be realized. L T pon it hung the destiny of this vast Republic; and in its issue was involved the hopes of the lovers of liberty throughoQt the world. The welfare of the bustling millions of the future was at stake. McClellau is defeated. Lincoln is re-elected, and "all the fond hopes of the rebellion dashed to the ground." The fiat has gone from the ballot-box, that the national soil should be maintained in all its integrity, and the great slaveholders insurrection crushed out by the powers and prowess of our ar my and navy. There election of Lin coln decides that there will be no South ern Confederacy—that the flag of the Union shall protect and defend the States and territories, from the silver lakes of the North to the golden sands of the Gulf of the South, This fixes the desti ny of Tennessee in tic Union, subject to its laws and bound by its authority. The man who now entertains a doubt as to the success of the national cause, or possesses one gleam of hope for the re bellion, would adorn the chambers of a mail house, rather than enlighten the world in the arena of public debate. In view of tho present condition of public affairs, what should be the policy of the people? And by " thejimjjtr" it is not intended to convey the idea of a [ few leaders, or would be leaders, assum- | ing, as in the past, to direct the people | what the will of the politicians is, but it ; is meant that the period has arrived in j history as a free Republic, whenthegreat I mass—'' the common people," as they are j called—shall arouse from tho state of j rasalage in which they have been held j by tho Slave Lords, and their instru ments, the jwlilican*, and assert the pol-1 itical equality of the white race. This j is not a war for negro equality, as we are told by tho Copperhead orators and press. ! It is a war to vindicate the rights of the j plebeian population, and make the poor | tlit equal of the rich—to place all men upon an equality, whether it be the peas- i ant of the fields or the slave lord of the parlor, who counts his negroes by the hundred. • What, then, should the sovereigns of the land do in order to restore our State and people the immense blessings of the national I'nion? Our State Government has been subverted. We are without civ il authority to administer to the wants of the citizen. Tho great civil war that has swept over the land for three years and •more, has worked many changes, as al ready intimated, in our political and so cial system. Indeed, they are so great that many laws quite appropriate and nec essary in the past, are now obsolete by force of circumstances, and if enforced would work incalculable hardships, and in some cases even ruin. For instance the Slave Code cannot be enforced, and and it would be improper, not to say su premely unjust, to attempt such a thina. These evils and inconsistencies exist in the organic law of the State. Tho Constitution contains them, and as a wise, statesmanlike peolpe we should to j profit by experience, and prepare for our j present protection and future prosperity. I and greatness as a State, by reorganising j our State Government upon a basis more consistent with the principles of the j Union. To do tliis, the people who have stood ! by tho flag of their country should take I steps immediately to elect a Constitution- | al Convention, to reconstruct a loyal j State Government by amending their j Constitution, and removing the- inconsis tencies it contains. Especially should slavery be wiped from its pages, and forever prohibited. The people have indicated their desire '.-ndries came as guests,took rooms and having Phosphorus, saturated the bed cloths, piling them up and firing them, afterMhich they locked the door. Some eight of the principle Hotels were thus found to be on fire between the hours of 8 and 12 o'clock. Fortunately for the city, the fires were all speedily extinguished. It was a part of the pro gramme to fire the shipping, but this was not accomplished. This is but another evidence of the cruel character of the foe with which we have to deal. Some of the guilty parties have been arretted,and a vigilent search is being made for the rest. From the commencement of hos tilities the south has always beeu relying greatly on riota and other disorders in northern cities, and failing to realize their fond hopes by the spontaneous action of the citizens, they at last attempted to pro duce this result by a special agency of their'own—in this too they have been disappointed. It is to be hoped this will satisfy them as to their ability to disturb northern society. fliti!" Our neighbor of the Herald, seems still to feci sore over our attack, as he is pleased to call it, upon Major Mc- Laughlin. The campaign being now over, and never having entertained any per sonal feeling against the Major, wo would have supposed it proper to let the matter drop. ' But as the lb raid man seems to consider himself bound to act in the ca pacity of his dog, barking every time he sneezes, it might be interesting to have him explain why it flas that the Major was an avoiced Lincoln man at Washing ton City*, and a McClellan man here?— and in t!«s, we don't wish him to bark at random, but to speak for the Major, if he speaks at all. After all, we cannot see what ground any ouc litis to complain of us in this, or any other matter. We strove to make out a true record, for all . Many honestly no doubt, believe that we cau not supprc-s this rebellion—that the South will gain their independence. We think they will find out their mistake some of those days. But, suppose we are mistaken, and the South does succeed; in that event, I think it quite within proba bility that the Democracy of the North will gain power in this country. The South will never re-unite with us, but will doubtless invitethoir Northern breth ren to join them as a part of their great Slave Empire ; of course they will accept the invitatftm. Gov. Seymour, thought they should have done so in 'Ol. In that event it will bo doubtless necessary for any man who has served iu the Union army, before he can bo received into their fellowship, to at least prove to them that lie, in the year of our Lord one thousand ( eight hundred and sixty-four, voted for McClellan and Pendleton. At of the case the Colonel may find that a copy of the Citizen , may be more service able to him than it was when circulated I ' among the members of his old Regiment, previous to tlie late election, if we may judge from the emphatic Lincoln vote tfhicli came home from it, and that too at the liccls of its hard campaign iu the Valley. In view of such an emergency, therefore, wo now say for the Major's benefit, that he not only made a vigor ous canvass for Little Mac, in the capa city of a stump orator, as we learn from the columns of the Herald, but that he performed the office of a local politician, in visiting the house of the humble voter, to induce him to vote against Old Abe: This will, certainly, prevent the Major from future trouble. The 103 d ItCKimeiit. It has been, a well known fact for a long time past, that our prisoners, in Reb el hands, had to undergo great privations —that they were in fact suffering and many of them dying for want of even the necessities of life I We have refrain ed from saying much on this subject, sim ply because wo had not much to say that was of an encouraging character. Many speculations and reports were in eircula lation in reference to this subject, but in them MO could see nothingdefiuite. Wo had faith in our government—we knew that President Lincoln would do every thing that the interest and honor of the country would permit—to alleviate the suffering of those who have been so unfor tunate as to fall into rebel hands. It of ten pained us, when wo would be inquir ed of on the subject of exchange, by those whoso near and dear relatives were the subjects of these rebel cruolties, to know that wo had nothing encouraging to communicate; and in this connection wo can remember no one who inquired .vitli more earnestness than Mr. Wm. Byers,of Summit township, who had two sons in the 103 d Regiment. We arc glad now to be able to say that he has at last heard from his sons and that they aro both alive. But wc are sad to know that this welcome news to him is accompanied by sad ti dings to. others—the letter says:— "Solomon Moscr diod on the 2Sth of August, and Charles M'Clungon the 15th ofthis month, (Oct)." Wc sincerely sym pathize with the friends of these fallen heroes. How infamous the cruelty Iliad is causing tho fall of so many of the Re publics brave defenders; comparatively speaking it were nothing to fall in battle to be thus slain by inches. In tho letter which Mr. Byers has received, his son writes to him to send him a great variety of things, such as drawers, shirts, socks, shoes, pants, bacon, butter, crackers, pepper, tea. dryed fruit, die., showing conclusively that they aro in a state of great destitution. They arc afflicted with the scurvy. Wc notice that an exchange of pris oners is now going on, upon what princi ple, or to what extent wc are not advised, but notice by dispatch in to-days papers, that ten thousand are now on their way to Anapolis. We can easily imagine what anxiety will be felt, by those who have dear friends in captivity in rebcldom, till it is definitely ascertained who are the lucky benefactors of this exchange. Alas! many will be disappointed, some will, in all probability, be still retained, many others it will bo found have died; the victims of rebel crudity "away down in Dixie," while not a few will have died on their way to " the land of their child hood." Wc hope that all-will, with a true Christian spirit reconcile themselves ! to whatever fate may have in store for I them. We would do well to bcar.iuj mind that Hod's ways arc not uian's ways. We hope soon to IJC able to announce the return of the 103 d. as also an account of its misfortunes, at the earliest moment we will lay them before our readers. I BOM'TIU; SOI TII. Special Di-pntt li to tho Western Associated Press. WASHINGTON, NOV. 25. The Republican publishes a dispatch from Fortress Monroe this morning which says, the U. S. transport steamers Atlan tic and Blnekstone have arrived from Sa vannah, bringing Savannah and xiilton Head dates to the 21st inst. Tho steam ers bring one hundred and' twenty-iivo of our soldiers who have been prisoners of war at Andersonvillc and elsewhere. It is believed by these arrivals that Beau regard had issued a proclamation, dated Corinth, November- 18th. calling on the peoplo of Georgia to lay waste and des troy everything around Sherman, in his front, rear and upon his flank, and an nouncing that bo would soon be with them. When the steamers left Savan nah, a report bad just reached there that M aeon and Milledgeville had been cap tured and burned by Sherman. BAI.TI.MORK, NOV. 25. The Americajt of this city has the fol lowing highly interesting and exciting intelligence, taken from the late Georgia papers: The Augusta Chronicle, of the 10th instant, contains the following appeal to the Georgians by Senator Hill : RICHMOND, NOV. 18. To the people of Georgia—You have now the best opportunity ever yet pre sented to you to destroy tho enemy. Put everything at the disposal of our generals. Ucniovo all provisions from the path of tho invaders, and put all the obstructions you can in the way. Every citizen with his gun, and every nigger with his spade and axe, can do the work of good soldi ers. You can destroy the enemy by re tarding his march. Georgians .be firm, act promptly, and fear not. (Signed.) 15. If.- HIM,. I most cordially approve Of tho above (Signed,) JAMES A. SEKDON, Secretary of War. The following in from the Augusta Chronicle of the 10th : 'Among the many war rumors on our strcefs, this morning, is one that Griffln is captured by the Yankees. As to the correctness of the rumors, wo have nothing to say." The following is taken from tho Au gusta i Sentinel of the 19th : "Wo have this reliable news from up the fiver.* A gentleman, who arrived on Thursday ovo ning from Stwic Mountain, reports that H Yankee column, moving up tho Georgia Hailrciad, divided at Decatur, half going down the Covington Road and the other the Rook Bridge Koad. At Stone Moun tain they burned all the unoccupied houses—some two-thirds of the town— and were laying wastfe tho country ns they progressed. Tlioy march in a hol low square, with thoir trains in the cen ter. They united at Baker's Mill, near Covington, and it is not known as yet whether they will strike for Eatontown or Athens. This gentleman says that tho view from the summit of the Stone Mountain of tho conflagration of Atlanta' was awful beyond all description. The city looked like an ocean of flame as the fiery waves rose and fell throughout its whole extent. Passengers by the Georgia Railroad' last night report that about one hundred Yankee cavalrymen made their appear ance at School Circle on Thursday, and burned tho railroad plattorm. It is not believed that they have come any further down than the Circle. Their infantry encamped at or near Old Sheffield on Wednesday night. It is also reported that the Yankees have burned Monticello and Hillsboro', which, if true, clearly indicates that they design tapping the Central Railroad at Gordon, or some other point. Passenger trains on the Georgia Bail road yesterday only come from Union Point. The Macon Telegraph of Friday, says that city on that day was considerably excited, owing to the various reports in regard to tho enemy, who arc known to be positively marching on the city. General Cobb has issued an order, call ing out every man capable of bearing arms, and all who do not respond, lie has ordered to be arrested. The Telegraph further says, there is no doubt that the military authorities will do everything in their power to stay the advance of the enemy, and we trust they will receive the cordial support of the .entire community. We refrain from giv ing any information concerning the move ments or tho number of our forces. The Macon Telegraph speaks thus of matters at the front:—\Ye have reliable information to the effect that tho Yanks are advancing from Atlanta in this direc tion, two columns, one on the McDon ough road and the other via Joncsboro'. Our forces arc at Grffiin. More than this we deem it imprudent at present to state. A gentleman who left' Forsyfh on Thursday, the 18th instant, at 3 o'clock, informs us that a courier arrived at that place about half an hour before he left, and reported that there was some Yaukee cavalry eight miles North of the town. All the bridges on the road from Forsyth to Indian Springs were burned by our forces. The Intelligencer publishes the annex ed news about affairs. The latest reliable intelligence from the front in Georgia is from a gentleman who left GVitfin on Wednesday, at 10 p. m. General Wheeler fought the enemy, who was advancing with a force estimated at from 25,000 to 30,000 in two columns, one on the McDonough and the other on the Jonesboro' road, at Bear Creek, until late in the evening, when bo fell back to Griffin, and was passing that city on its right when our informant left. Our in fantry forces were falling back to Barnes villc. It is probable that at the time we write this, Sherman occupies Griffin, and will rapidly demonstrate upon Maeou, and per haps Millodgeville. We learn from a reliable source that Governor Brown's residence, iu Canton, Cherokee County, embracing his commo dious dwelling-house, kitchen, out-houses, &c., with his office aud other buildings, were all bnrned to the ground by the vandal foe, a few days ago. The officer in command of the Tandals. who were sent to execute the work they so ruth lessly and successfully performed, allow ed the fatpily, who were living on the premises, only fiftoen minutes to remove their furniture from the house, and all that was not removed within that time was destroyed by fire. The same party burned the Court House, Academy, both hotels, jail,.and about two-thirds of tho best dwellings and business houses iu Canton. A force ,of some 3,000 or 4.000 van vals were within a mile or two of the town, while somo seventy of the band were sent into tho town under an officer, with orders to burn the house of Gover nor Brown, the public buildings aud house of all who have been prominent Southern men. It is now evident that Sherman has inaugurated a winter campaign and that Georgia is the field which ho designs to desolate —a terrible crisis therefore is upon us. Kvery man in the State, ablo to bear armssh juld rally to the rescue.- In tho hands of the military authorities, however, the defense of the State is left. We have no suggestion to lliake. What we have long looked for has come at last. NEW YORK, November 2s. —ln thede-' bate in the rebel House of Representa tives ou the 10th, tho fact is developed that tho war against Vice President Ste phens, is extending to all reconstruction ists: and Boyce, Brown, Leech, Yance, Stephens, Cobb and Foote, are denoun ced as heedless agitators of* questions. ' The House of Representatives, like the Confederacy in general, is divided against itself, and cannot stand long. In the excitement produced by Sher man, tho debate shows that Governors •Brown and Yance have taken positive ac tion against tho execution of the con scription laws. In the course of the de bate. which was on a resolution reported by Ml 1 . Staples, ef Virginia, for a de crease iu the number of exemptions from military service of the State officers, Mr. Leech, of North Carolina, said ho was • States Rights man, and ho could not vote for tho resolution which looked to the conscription of State officers. A great hue aud cry had been raised about Geor gia, because Gov. Brown and Yiec l'resi db::t Stephens dared to differ from the annointcd. He wished to pay that he endorsed every word that had been ut tered by Gov. Brown, and every line that had been written by Air. Stephens. If that bo treason, he asked the poor privil ege of being hanged with them. Mr. Miles, of South Carolina, Said he' rcgretcd to talk about peace and recon struction, or a Convention of States, &c. He believed it could only injure us. It would encourago the enemy in tho pros ecution of tho war, stimulate them to' greater efforts, while it could only tend to depress our own peoplo. It was idle' to talk of our friends at the North. We have none. Mr. Footc, of Tennessee, said persons high in official authority have stated that, treason was abroad in North Carolina, and ask for the suspension of the writ of habeas coipus to suppress it. Several voices—l call the gentlemen to order." Mr. Lester, of Goorgirt— T rise to a point of order. The gentleman must confine himself to the question before the House. Mr. Foote—T can never allude in my remarks to any official authorities without half a dozen gentlemen springing totheir feet and raising points of order. I am not going to bo choked off in this way. Men here have made skulking attacks upon Vice President Stephens. They have said of him what they dare not gay to his face. It was in order to denounce: the. Vice President, butit, is not in order to vindicate him. It was in order— Mr. Miles,rising—-Thegentleman from Tenn. speaks of skulking attacks upon Vice-President Stephens. I have spoken l of that gentleman. I wish the gentle man from Tennessee to say if ho means I have made a skulking attack. . 1 12, Mr. Foote—No sir, a poor one.- [ call all attacks in secret sessions, skulking attucks. The gentleman from South Carolina says we have no friends in the North. I make is sue with him. I say we have friends, good, true, and valiant friends in the North. Every vote given for Mc- Clcllan was for peace. If McClel lnri had been elected, he (Foote) was prepared to make from his seat, a pro position for a Convention of the Sov ereign States, North and South, and he believed that the South could have secured from it peace and inde pendence. If the South had met tho North in Convention she would have proposed a league offensive and dc-- fensirc, with the North, for a strict enforcement of the Monroe doctrine, a liberal and commercial treaty, and we soon should have the whole North American domain, and perhaps Cuba* Refering to Gen. Butler's speech, he said, infamous as Butler is, his speech looks to peoce, the terms pro posed by him were such ns could not be accepted by the South. It refer ing to sending Commissioners from Washington. If such commission did come, and bring any propositions from tho Government at Washington looking to peace, he believed it was the duty of our Government to re ceive it. But he did not think Con gress should pass upon it, but that it should be submitted to the several Statef for each one to decide upon it in a sovereign capacity. After some remarks by other mem bers, the resolution was adopted. The House also passed the Senate bill to force the militia of the State togo to the assistance of the other States, so as to concentrate a force against Sherman. fieo- It is temper which makes the bliss of home or disturbs its comfort. The home is in tha forbearing temper, in the yielding spirit, in the calm pleasures of a mild disposition, anxious to give aud re ceive happiness.