Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-12-12


events I have never obtruded, either publicly or
privately, my opinions upon any of you; nor can
single man arise and say that, by word sign have
ever sought 10 warp his sentiments or control his
Judgment upon any political subject whatever
The party questions which have hitherto divided the
political world have seemed to me to involve no is
sue sufficiently momentous to warrant my turning
aside, even for a moment, from my chosen calling.
In this day of intelligence, | have felt there were
thousands around me more competent to instruct in
craftsmanship and thus, from considerations of mod
esty no less than prudence, have preferred TO move
among YOU as preacher of Righteousness belonging
to a kingdom not of this world
During the heated canvass which has Just been
brought to so disastrous close, the seal of rigid
and religious silence has not been broken. Idepor
ed the divisions amongst us being, to a large
tent impairment in the solemn crisis which was too
evidently impending. Most clearly did itappear to
that but one issue was before us an issue soon
to be presented in form which would compel the
attention. That crisis might make it imperative
upon me Christian and a divine to speak IN
language admitting miseonstTuction. Until then,
aside from the din and strife Of parties could only
mature, with solitary and prayerful Thought the
destined Inference. That hour has come. At u
uncture so solemn as the present with the destiny
of great people waiting upon the decision OF an
hour it is not lawful to be STILL Whoever may have
influence to shape public opinion, at such time
must lend It, or prove faitiess TO trust as solemn
as any to be accounted for at the bar of God.
Is it immodest in me to assume that may repre-
sent class whose opinions in such a controversy
are of cardinal Importance? The class which seeks
to ascertain its duty in the light simply ofeonscnee
and religion; and which turns to the mOralist and
the Christian for support and guidance. The ques-
ton too, which now places upon the brink of
revolution was in its origin a question of morals
and religion. 1t debated in ecclesiastical coun-
ellis before it entered legislative halls 1t has riven
asunder the two largest communiOns in the land.
and the right determination of this primary ques-
tor will go far towards fixing the attitude must
assume in the coming struggle. | sincerely pray
God that may be forgiven If have misapprehend-
ed the duty incumbent upon me to-day; for have
assembled this pulpit under the agitation of feeling
natural to who is about to deyate from the set
tied policy of his public life. 1t is my purpose-not
your organ, compromising you, whose opinions
are for the most part unknown to me, but on my
sole responsibilty-to speak upon the one question
of the day; and to state the duty which believe,
patriotism and religion alike requires of us all.
shall aim to speak with a moderation of tone and
feeling almost judicial well beftting the sanctites
of the place and tire solemnities of the judgment
day.
In determining our duty in this emergency, it is
necessary that we should first ascertain the nature
of the trust provdentiay committed to us. Ana
ton often has character well defined and in
tense that of the individual. This depends, of
course, upon variety Of causes operating through
long period of time 1t is due largely to the orig
inal traits which distinguish the stock from which
itsprings and to the providenal training which has
formed its education But, however derived, this
this individuality of character alone makes any peo
pie truly historic competent to work out its specific
mission, and TO become factor in the worlds pro
gress. The particular trust assigned to such
people becomes the pledge of Divine protection
and their fidelity to it determines the fate by which
it is finally overtaken What that trust is must be
ascertained from the necessities of their position
the institutions which are the outgrowth of their
principles, and the conflicts through which they
preserve their identity and independence. IT, then,
the South is such people. what. at this juncture
is their prOvidential trust answer that it is to
conSerUe and 10 pe7perde the ilS,dion of domestic
slavery as nolo existing.
1t is not necessary here to inquire whether this is
precisely the best relation which the newer of wood
and drawer of water eau stand to his emplover:
although this proposition may perhaps be success
fully sustained by those who choose to defend it.
Still less are required, Dramatically to affirm
that it viii subsst through all time. Baled as our
wisdom may now be- in finding solution of this
intricate social problem it would nevertheless be the
height of arrogance to pronounce what change
may not occur in the distant future. In the grand
march of events, Providence may work cut solu-
ton undiscoverable by us. What notifications of
soil and climate may hereafter be produced what
consequent changes in the products on which we
depend what political revolutions may occur among
the races which are enactipg the great drama
of history: all such inquiries totally irrelevant,
because no prophetic vision pierce the darkness
of the future If this question should ever arise,
u
have the wisdom to meet il, and Providence will
furnish the lights in which it is to be resolved. All
that we claim fer them and for ourselves is liberty
to work out this problem guided by nature and God,
without obtrusiYe inference from abroad. These
great questions of providence and history must
have free scope for their solution. and the
whose fortunes distinctly implicated in the same
is alone authorized. it is alone competent TO de-
termine them. 1t is just this impertiuence of hui
man legislation, setting bounds to what God only
regulate that the South is called this day to resent
and resist. The country is conyulsed simply be-
cause the throne of iHiquity frameth mischief by
4 law" Without. therefore, determining the ques-
ton of duty for future generations, simply say.
that for us, as now situated the duty IS plain Of
conserving and transmitting the system Of Slavery,
with the freest scope for its natural development
and extension Let my brethren, look to Our duty
in the face. With this institution assigned to our
keeping what reply shall we make to those who say
that It's DAYS are numbered? Ny own conviction is.
that we should at lit ourselves, intellgently,
TO the highest moral ground, and proclaim TO all
the world that we hold this trust from God, and IN
its occupancy we are prepared TO stand or fall as
God NAV appoint If the critical moment has ar
rived which the great issue Is Joined, let us say
that in the sight of all peris, will stand by
trust; and God be with the right!
The argument which enfOrces the solemnIty of
this providential trust simple and condensed. 1t
Is bound upon US, then, by the principle Of set-pre
seryation, that first law which is continually
serting its supremacy over others. Need pause TO
show how this system of serTltude -underlles and
supports our material interests? That our wealth
consists in lands and in the serfs who till them
That from the nature of our products they can only
be cultivated by labor which must be controlled in
order to be certain? That any other than tropical
race must faint and wIther beneath tropical sun
Need pause to show this system Is interviewer with
our entire social fabricy That these slaves form
parts of our households, even our children; and
that too through relationship recognized and sane
toned in the Scriptures of God even as;the other?
Must pause to show how it has fashioned our modes
of life and determined all habits of hOughtand
feeling. and moulded the very type of our civiliza
ton? How, then, can the hand OF violence be laid
upon it without involving our existence? The so
called free States of this country working out
the social problem under conditions peculiar to
themselves.
These conditions are sufficiently hard and their
success is too uncertain. to excite in the least
jealousy of their lot With a teeming population. |
which the soil cannot support with their wealth |
depending upon arts, created by artificial wants
with an eternal friction between the grades of their
society-with their labor and their capital grinding
against each other like the upper and neither mill |
stones-with labor cheapened and displaced by new |
mechanical inventions, bursting more asunder the |
bonds of brotherhood; amid these intricate pers we |
have ever given them our sympathy and our pray
ers. and have never sought to weaken the foundar |
tons of their social order God grant them com. |
plete success in the solution Of all their perplextes
We. too, have our responsibilities and our trials;
but they all bound up in this one institution,
which has been the object of such unrighteous as
sault through five aud twenty years. If we are
true to ourselves shall, at this critical uncturc
stand by it and work ont our destiny.
This duty is bound upon US again al the constitu-
ted guardians of the slaves themselves Our lot is
not more implicated in theirs, than is their lot in
ours; in our relations survive perish together
The worst foes of TIE blackrace those who have
on their behalf. We know better than
others that every attribute Of their character fits
them for dependence and servitude. By nature the
most affeconate and loyal Of all races beneath the
sum they are also the most he'll less and calam-
ty can befalI them greater than the loss of that
protection they ENJOY under this patrarchalsystem
indeed the experiment has been grandlytried Of
lrecipitating them upon freedom which they
snow not how to enjoy and the dismal results are
,efore US in statistics thatastonsh the world. With
he farcst proportions of the earth in their possess
or and with the advantage of long discipline as
of the SOIL their constitutional Incidence
las converted the most beautiful islands of the
nto bowling waste. is not too much to say that
the South should, at this moment, surrender every
lave, the wisdom of the entire world united in |
olemn council could not solve the question of their
iIspusa Their transportation to Africa even if it
we're feasible, would be but the most refined cru
lily they must perish with starvation before they
'ould have time to relapse into their primitive bar