The eighth of June, on which day the people were to vote upon the ordinance of secession adopted by the General Assembly, was drawing nigh, and as East Tennesseeans in a majority of cases were averse to it, special efforts seemed advisable at Nashville to influence them in its favor. Certain persons therefore, Hon. John Bell among them, visited Knoxville and other places in the eastern division of the State, but their addresses and labors were of little or no avail. Mr. Bell would not advocate secession, being still hostile to it as a political doctrine, but he was understood to declare himself “a rebel.” Other visitors from Middle and West Tennessee were less reserved in advocating the doctrine, and in commending the ordinance to the people for their suffrages. Meanwhile Andrew Johnson, Horace Maynard and Thomas A. R. Nelson were active in making public speeches for the Union. This they did at imminent risk of injury or death from soldiers of the Confederacy (who were transported at that time from the Southwest through East Tennessee to the defence of Virginia), or from the State allied troops CHAPTER VII. THE EAST TENNESSEE UNION CONVENTION AT KNOXVILLE. THE EAST TENNESSEE UNION CONVENTION AT GREENEVILLE. “You must not think That we are made of stuff so flat and dull That we can let our beard be shook with danger, And think it pastime.” HAMLET. “True fortitude is seen in great exploits That justice warrants and that wisdom guides; All else is tow’ring, frenzy and distraction.” ADDISON’S _Cato_.