The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1859-04-01
Opposition state Convention.


w. IL Wiener, of Bedford, from thscom-
tmittee appointed at preliminary meet
ing, reported the following permAnent
officers Of tho Convention: - < 4
y President Hon. NELL s. BROWN.
Vice. residents-A. M. LoosEy Of Maui
ry, GEO. l.. HOLMES of Shelby, and Tmos. j.
CAMPBELL of Bradley.
Secretaries-H.~ K. Walker, .Wm.. Hy.
Smith, +. A. Parham, N. r. Wilkes, w.
z. Neal, s. F. Neblett, and r. ST. North
cut.
The report having been submitted to
the Convention, II was unanimously rati-
fed.
Hon. Neill $. Brown, upon assuming
his position, addressed the Convention
briefly and pertinently. -. ''
Hon. FIX. Zollicoffer moved the an.
pointment Of committee on resolutions
to consist of three from each division of
the State. i'
Col. Mostly, lafayette, moved to amend
by appointing five from each division of
the State, which motion prevailed.
On motion of Henry Cooper, of Bedford,
the delegates were requested to report
themselves, and the following gentlemen
complied: q.
Nearly every county in the State was
represented. We must omit the names of
delegates for want of room ~. .r
Whilst the list Of delegates was being
made out, the President announced the
following committee on resolutions: F. X.
Zollicoffer, DIR. John w. Richardson, w,
II. Wisener, L. J. Polk, J. NJ. Quarles,
Jere. Clemens, j. II. Mcmahon, Thomas
Rivers, d. R. Thomas, J. M. Morrill,, j. B.
Cooke, II. b. Brabson, John NJ. Fleming,
w. B. Reese, jr., and w. C. Kyle. ..
The committee having retired, Col.
Clemens, of Memphis, was loudly called
for, and responded in an able speech of
some length.
Gov. Foote, of Mississippi, was here
called upon, but declined speaking, at
least until the business of the Convention
was concluded
DR.. Brownlow responded TO an enthusi
astic call, by asking to be excused,
through the chair, on account of physical
inability to speak. He desired it under
stood, however, that he ,could write. and
intended to do it,
The Convention then adjourned to
2,PM.
EVENING SESSION.
Gen. F. X. Zollicoffer, from the Com
mittee on Resolutions, reported the fol-
lowing declaration of principles:
The people of Tennessee opposed to
the Democratic party declare:
|. That the Union as established by the
Federal Constitution, is the surcst guaran
ty of the rights and interests of all sec
tons OF the country, and should be pre-
served.
III. That while we will maintain with
unwavering firmness, our constitutional
rights III relation to slavery, we believe
that the further agitation of the question
tends to no practical good to any portion
OF the country, and should therefore
cease; regarding the principle as settled,
that the people, when they come to form
Constitution and establish a State Gov
eminent, shall decide the question for
themselves.
LII. That we are opposed to direct tax
alton and in favor of the adoption of a
tariff adequate to the expenses of an
economical administration of the general
government, with specific duties where
applicable, discriminating. in favor of
American industry.
~. That the United States should ac-
cept the Island of Cuba at any time when
it can be acquired consistently with the
national honor, and should oppose, to the
last extremity, its transfer to any foreign
power. 49,.
v That in the disposition of the public
lands, otherwise than for governmental
purposes, Tennessee and all the old States
are equally entitled to receive q proper
ton with the States and Territories where
they are located. =
VI. That we are in favor of a reason
able extension of the period of probation
now prescribed for the naturalization of
foreigners, and more rigid enforcement
OF the law.upon that subject--the prohi-
bitioh OF the immigration of foreign pau
pers and criminals, and the prevention of
allforeigners not naturalized from voting
at elections ~
s VII. That the recommendation of the
President that Congress shall confer upon
him the war-making power, and subject
the Army and Navy to his control, with
the demand for enormous appropriations
out OF. the public Treasury, to carry out
his views, coupled with the reckless ex-
travagance, waste of the public money,
and corruption practiced under the pres
.ent Administration, deserve the unquali-
ned condemnation and rebuke of the
whole country.
VIII. That we are in favor of a sound
and weli-regulnted banking system, the
issues whereof shall. by being payable on
convertible, ut the will of the holder, in
to the precious metals.
TX. That we favor the maintenance. in
violate, of the public faith, by the prompt
payment, at whatever sacrifice, of the
public debt, and no further increase of il
unless for some object of indispensable
public necessity.
X. That we here pledge ourselves to use
our earnest exertions and united influence
to overthrow that party, which, having
brought the Government to bankruptcy
and filled the whole land with discord,
have now, themselves, caught the conta-
gion, and agree in nothing but desire for
dominion and are bound together by no
tie except ''the cohesive power of public
plumber"
The resolutions We're received bv accla-
nation; and ...-aa.t 49,,
J. B. Heiskell, ESQ, of Hawkins, said
that as the resolutions had been spon-
taneously ratified without the formalitv