Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1855-12-19

Tennessee to calculating the value OF the Union; and
was that not tending to dsunion? he did not for a
moment believe il was so intended, but by their
adoption you create spirit and fan flame which
look in that direction.
He INDUCED neither in elimination nor recrimina-
ton. He expected to do less in this way for the
balance of his life The older he grew the less of
it was in his heart He never any good come
Of it, either in private public walks of life, and
there sense in it. tie supposed case OF
parties of the same household disputng about the
partition Of an estate Was the breach to be heal
ed By both parties sending forth declarations
against each other that they would not trade or go
to church together, patronise the store and
blacksmith shop? Declaration might follow dec
laration, and good grow out Of it, and the same
principle held good in regard the affairs Of States
No man could convince him that his principles were
wrong by abusing him. He had too much of :" old
Adam" in him for that II it were the object TO
convince him that his political principles were
wrong, it would be adopting the worst possible
mode to accomplish it by calling him rascal. That
would stir up the angry blood If this were the
effect of such course of action in our political
strifes at home, it was equally so at the North.
He spoke of things as they were and not as he
would have them. He had determined himself to
be among the last to agste these questions of dis
tnction between the North and South. But he
was asked are we TO 81 tamey and let them rob
US of our rights, and say nothing and do nothing
are We TO be so quiet and poor spirited that We
will do nothing? He would never handy epithets
He never had fancy for threats in advance But
these resolutions were put forth in the shape OF
a menace-he asked again, would they do any good?
Was there any public good to be accomplished by
them. Would they convert these men? Would
they repeal this law any sooner for 1t? They
would not But this course would be sure to get
up feeling more bitter and obstinate. He never
saw any good mpshed in that way. 1t was
the wav for parties to make each other mad and
get excited for nothing.
But he was asked what was his remedy. He re-
piled if this state OF things continues the North
he knew it would result in some catastrophe and he
advocating the remedy for that here every day.
He W anted to get open roads to the Southern sea-
board, so that when our fluctuations come, II COM
they must we will be in a situation to defend our
selves Where now were our outlets in such an
event? 1t was true that we had them projected,
and if we remain true TO ourselves would soon
have these outlets completed to all the ports the
Southern seaboard, and then we can have com
merce within ourselves, and be able to carry on a
trade Independent OF the North This was the
remedy he insisted upon for evils of this kind.
But in all matters OF the character proposed to be
remedied by these resolutions, there was an elo
Quence in silence-a cutting rebuke, far more po-
He would be the last man to give up his hopes
that this Union will be maintained in its integrity in
all future time He would be the last Of the van
guard to leave Mason and Dixon's line, but he
would stand by his section of the Union if the
tastrophe must come. He would be the last man
to give in to the idea that this Union can be dis
solved and hence he opposed everything calculated
to widen the breach between the North and the
South He would indulge a spirit of forbearance
petuity of the Union. He hoped this Union,
with its untold blessings and its hallowed memories
would be the last vestige of mans device to dis
solve and fade away at the sound of the trumpet of
final retributiOn He had as much stock in Bun
ker Hill, in Monmouth, and in Saratoga, as any man
North South, and the flowers that bloomed on
these fields of gore had sweet fragrance to him
as to any man in this broad Union. But while he
thus spoke with confidence of the strength Of the
Union, he declared that he believed it would
quire all>we could do, all the energy that could
put forth, all the patriotism could bring 10 bear,
20 keep it together This is no time for agitation
Let depOrt ourselves that we shall be able to
say to the North, you have created all this excite
ment--we will make no menaces, but if you viii
have disunion, we will meet you at the breach.
Let US, then. if the fatal hour comes be ready for
it with clean hands and firm hearts,
He concluded with brilliant reference to the
high estimate which the friends of liberty in Eu-
rope place upon the institutions of this country
and the interest with which the struggle for their
permaIency is viewed by both friends and foes
abroad.
Mr.. Nixon regretted that the discussion of these
partOok of political character, since
they were merely request to the people of Ten
neSsee not to trade with the citizens of such States
as refuse to recognize the fugitive slave law. He
would not, therefore, answer the arguments of
gentlemen now; and he appealed to the gentleman
from Weakly, (Mr. Cavitt) to withdraw the reso.
utions, as it would save him from making motion
be did not like to make.
Mr. Csvitt said he had been urged by gentlemen
to withdraw his resolutions, but he did not like to
do so without fuller expression of the sentiments
of the House than had yet been given in relation to
them.
Mr.. Nixon could not vote for the resolutions If
there any necessity for action he wanted some.
thing more tangible and dignfed with which to
meet the aggressiOLs of the AbotiOnists of the
North, than mere request to the people of Ten.
nessee not to trade with them, and he moved to
lay the resolutions upon the table.
At the request of Mr. Travis, Mr. Nixon withdrew
bis notion
Mr. Travis said be would vote for the rcsou-
lions, and would do so from love of the Union
He took his stand upon the Constitution, and was
opposed to any State that would pass laws to null
fy the acts of Congress. He regarded the reso
utions as a mere declaration TO those States that
nullitird the laws of the General Government that
we void not trade with their citizens so long as
their nullifving acts remained in force. We could
have no fellowship with nulIfers, and If they wished
our friendship they must remove this barrier. He
deprecated the agitation OF the slavery question as
much as any man, but that was no reason why he
should fear to speak out against those who set at
defiance the laws of the General Government. He
that fre-brand had been thrown bv
the North, which was calculated toexcite the South
and these resolutions intended 10 say to those
States who believe they have a right to nullfy the
laws of Congress, We will not trade with you until
you come back to your allegiance to the Union.
He had no fears for the Union, for it was in the
hands OF the people, aud they would guard and pro.
tect it. But while he was opposed to throwing
ebrands, he believed it the duty of the friends of
the Union TO demonstrate firmly against the course
OF the fanatics. lie believed the Compromise was
cherished and supported by nne-tcnths Of the
people of the United States, and that il was the
impulse Of patriotism 10 denounce any inffactions
Of that Compromise
Mr.. Upton offered resolution in lieu, as fellows:
"ReSolUei That il is the opinion of this General
Assembly that the State OF Massachusetts, has multi
lied the laws Of the General Government, and that
she has no right to representation in the Congress Of
the U. ,, and We instruct our SenatOrsi in Congress
aud request our Representatives 20 use all lawful
means in their power to eject the Senator's and
in Congress from the State of
Massachusetts, from their seats, until the General
Assembly Of Massachusetts, shall repeal her laws
that nullify the laws of the General Government"
Mr.. Nixon said he could not vote for the resolu.
tons. The South ought to stand rs a unit, and
these resolutions would compromise the State against
herself lie would vote Tor resolution asserting
the loyalty Of Tennessee to the Union, and her
intention to adhere to and carry out in good faith the
measures OF 1850. He, therefore,
moved to lay the resolutions and amendment on the
table
Upon this motion the ayes and noes were