The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1860-12-14
The Crisis What Ought We to Do ?

""o vi 'hc 'th VI Jhnuhry neAu iurRe
number of our leading and influential
citizens, in different parts of the State. are
OF opinion that this is the first step 10 be
taken in the present perilous condition
of public affairs. If il is desired that the
| people Of The State shall manifest their opin-
ions in regard to those affairs, then this is
the only legal mode in which their opin.
ions may be made known-not by any ac-
ton of the Legislature in giving utterance
to facts, sentiments or opinions, but by
the passage of law authorizing Con.
vention of delegates, elected by the PEG.
pie through the ballot box, whose duty il
shall be to assemble together at stated
time for the purpose of giving utterance
to the will of the people.
The Ex-Governor having decided to call the
Legislature together, the question now is,
what is the duty Of the members of that
body in view Of the alarming condition OF
the country? We do not hesitate to say
| that n Convention should be called at
once-a Convention of the people of the
State by delegates elected from each
county, and tina; arrangements should be
made for the assembling oC that Conven-
ton at the earliest day practicable, The
present members Of the LEGISLATURE were
net siSetSSl with view 10 the l,TV-~cs, OK
ieencics 81 Affairs aud. consequently. arr
wholly unfit 10 oNprcSs The sentiments Of
the State. We would. therefore. respect
fully suggest TO that bc,iy the necessity OF
stsian a; once, and TO that end that i7sSss-
ncn should no; be INDUCED in only so far
as TO arrange the preliminaries of the
Convention-that the members of the
Legislature in expressing their opinions
by resolution or otherwise as to the ques-
tons arising out of the present state OF
the country. it would only be the individ-
ual opinions of the gentlemen composing
that body. The introduction of "Resolu.
tons therefor, and the consequent dis
cussion thereupon, would only have the
effect to prolong the session, without ef-
fecting any practical result. Let the
members meet together in spirit of am
ity and conciliation-eschew all bitter
discussion ali elimination and re-crimi-
nation, forbear 10 inquire into the causes
of our political troubles, but simply to
perform such acts in their capacity as law
makers as will result in such a Conven-
ton of the people, referring the discus
sion of the whole subject to that Conven-
ton, and then adjourn again to their
homes.
Having pursued this course the men,
bers of the Legislature will have perform
ed a practical service to the country, and
the responsibility will rest where it prop
erly belongs, under this Government of
ours, upon the people themselves-the
source of all political power. And SOL
emn responsibility it will be upon the
people, when they come to look at the
subject practically. Tennessee will, then
be called upon to speak out in terms
which will be unmistakable. 1t will be
no mere State Convention of party men
for the adoption Of mere party platforms
nor will their aetioll be the mere ebull-
ton of feeling, or sentiments, of an ire
sponsible body. But it will be the organ
lied action of sovereign State, upon the
most momentous questions ever presented
to their consideration. 1t may be that
the action of Tennessee will determine,
for veal or woe, the happiness and pros
perity, not only of her own people, but of
the nation at large. In view of the great
results depending upon her action, the
State should be represented in the Con-
vention by her wisest, most conservative
and most sagacious men. What line of
policy should be inaugurated by the Con-
vention, it would be impossible now to
define. Events follow each other in such
rapid succession, that it is impossible one
week to foretell what the next may bring
forth, or to say at this early day what
should be the policy or measures to be
adopted upon the assembling of Con-
vention two months hence. The grand
idea, however, which should be constant
ly kept in view, is the adoption of such
measures as will best preserve the Union
and we mean the entire Union-which we
believe can only be done by that policy
which will maintain the safety and preser.
walton of the institutions of the South.
The North must be made to feel her de-
pendence upon the South and must be
made to feel that the South is unit and
will demand her just and Constitutional
rights-otherwise there is no settlement
of this controversy. What that demand
will be-what ultinatltm shall be presented
to our Northern brethren, will be subjects
to be decided by the Convention. 1t
should be firm and decided, otherwise it
will not reach the end proposed, and we
have every confidence, under the bless
ings of heaven, that the North will yield
to that demand. Otherwise we can see
nothing else but that the Union is lost,
bringing in its train all its attendant I'M
certainties in the future.
In our opinion the North will yield any
reasonable guaranty, rather than be sepa-
rated from the Southland we now think
that is the only way by which the Union
can be saved.
Boston Custom House.
Boston, Dec. S.-The receipts at the Gus
tom House during the past week were