Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1860-12-10

and the Necessity of a United South.
Dslireed IN the Hall Of Representatives., IN aHsseer
to cali of the citizens Of Nashville, Non. q,
1860.
FEILoy-CrrIzESs appear before you to-
night. not as the representative Of any party
sect or power. but in the high prerogative OF
an American citizen So far as this address
In concerned, am here to present the posi-
ton of the North and the South to the ques-
lions that agitate the country, and TO survey
the whole ground, in view of the rights and
duty of our own people. Not to favor one
view or another, but to present facts and their
consequences to the sober reflection of all
people Not for Secession. nor Union-but
for right and justice, truth and honor. These
are the representatives of great people,
and none less can administer to the wants OF
man. To perpetuate blessings immortal,
these are the rights that we have to expect
from our brethren, Of whatever nation, color,
cast, or condition. Life, the immortal III
stiucts. breathe no less, and bestow with an
unsparing hand, everywhere, the grievous
bounties of which we complain.
/ would stand before my fellow-citizens
and the country in crisis, such as that which
casts its overwhelming shadow before US, in
ne doubtful attitude. 1 stand ready to dis
cuss the questions involved alike upon the
abstract principles of all Right, and the prac-
ticable application thereof, TO our present
condition and prospects
lam not in favor of disunion but of union,
eternal union but not at the sacrifice of
Right, for when this is unheeded, the genial
Sun that enlightens and enlivens this fair
land will be no more, and desolation will sue
coed. as deep ana dark as the perjured hearts
of those who had sworn to protect the inner
itance of our fathers and administer justice
to their offspring.
Nor do / appear to prelude or preclude the
expression of any sentiment that may admin
lister hope or be effective In allaying the dis
trust that appears so mutually to divide US as
a people. come to give an expression to facts
of merit and moment that none will deny,
and which must deeply impress alike the SEN
timent and action of all concerned. Their
consideration is imperative, aud no matter
what may be our popularity OF relationship
to the public, we would be less than men to
be Indifferent or silent beneath their wide
spread and intensifying sway.
If it is truth we seek, aDd justice we want,
there is no doubt of our ability co meet this
matter on its true ground. If it Is pandering
to prejudice or sectional ACKNOWLEDGMENT or
political preference, that actudtes US and i'm
pels Us forward. we had better pause upon
the threshold.
The enyirons that bind us and the Institu-
tions, that have consolidated our greatness,
are already invaded, and he must be hope
lessly blind that cannot discern this. plainest
of facts. Sovereign States, in the enactment
and execution of Law, are arrayed against
a common authority in our National Govern
ment, openly defying and setting at naught
its most earnest appeals and cOnsecrated
power. To meet an issue so fearful in lis ma
ture and bearing. the people of the South,
aroused by events already recorded, and ten
denotes deemed inevitable. are marshalling
their forces to assert-whai? A claim, a right.
Is the claim just, is The right sacred? Plain
questions. They admit of a plain. unmis-
takeable answer. Justice and principle must
rule in that answer or they are nothing. LO-
Gated as we are here in Tennessee, we have
rights and we must defend them. The gov
eminent is the common property OF both ex
tremes of the COnfederacy. 1t is the head,
the parent, the fountain of order and all the
power established as common for the whole
people. Anything conflicting with il is sub
versive Of all we recognize and profess as
people. The initiative aud most oppressive
step or act in this conflict has been taken by
the North. A part and portion of the COM
mon heritage Of a common people locally, so
to speak. temporarily situated. but interested
as separate States, in their State capacity.
and sovereign as part of q common govern
ment, have given expression; nay, have en-
acted laws that are directly in conflict with
that nationality under which they recognize
their vitality IS a part and portion OF a great
people and an OmnipOtent Nation. Here Is
a direct conflict between State and sovereign
power. The two cannot exist, and in what
an attitude does this present the head! lnef-
fcient and not sufficient to protect. carry out
and fulfill the purposes for which 1t was or
ganized. A principle of justice that all law,
whether human OF Divine, recognizes ON
nipotent, has been and is daily violated in
the presence of that same power which stands
as the Great / Am, over the diversified con-
ditions that are represented in a Common
Confederacy. 4 right-a constitutional
right, both moral and legal, that none can
question. is absolutely rendered pOwerless
every day beneath the sanction of a sO-called
Government which holds Justice as OmnipO-
tent and Freedom Divine. The special gifts
of Creative Wisdom have bestowed upon
this fair land of ours much to make US great
and free people. All see and feel the good
and glory of such an Inheritance. But alas
how lamentable the contrast which our pre-
sent condition reflects; how inadequately it
subserves an end SO diviueI Robbery! theft!
debauchery! tredcieryI are the cOmpensatlOns
received for fidelity and trust, to what we
hold as the sacred heritage of bygOne days
IT'S useless to conceal, if we were so dis
posed, for scarcely day or an hour passes
without bringing the intelligence of some
outrage, some man robbed of his property,
some human being victimized under the prom
lies of fancied freedom. life sacrificed and
families desolated beneath the sO-called shield
of National Government.
The Constitution recognizes slavery. The
Government is formed and its officers sworn
to carry out its provisions. And If there is
any doubt as to Slavery and the rights and
interests it involves, whether as a local insti-
tuition or not, there can be no question that
the South, by a united action aud expression
should require such amendments to that in
strument as will preclude any further cOntro-
versy in the estimate she makes of her rights
therein. If toe vague as to the Territories it
should be made more explicit so far as she
has right to demand.
II we are men and true men, justice is what
we seek. We will be content with nothing
less. We can ask no more.
1t is well, then, for US to ask the solemn
question, what constitute the elements OF our
social system and governmental orderE Are
they not the acquisitions confOrmiatOry to law!
And from whence Is this or such require
ments derived? The people. Who are the
people. The expressed will of a majority
While minorities may suffer, the question OF
right is settled by the greatest good to the
greatest uumOeE- ouCu expression must De
regarded as omnipotent, however vain and
sverse it may be in moral right to the true
result Of mans efforts, viz /: happiness If
this Is the beginning. the foundation. the key
of State 70 Republican institutions, then how
do you hope to perfect and perpetuate all
you bold most dear. unless it be by a uaani-
NOES, nay, united expression OF sentiment
upon topics Of disorder that surround9 Let
Us be sure that We ourselves in the States
South have not got aud do not present the
very elements OF destruction. Let US see
that we do not manifest in our acts and be-
tray in our dIssensions feebleness unworthy
of men. If il is principle for which We cou-
tend. show me the man that will acknowledge
to his fellows, in the face Of open day, that
h. has II NOT III he has IL should BE-. deisnd LIZ