Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-11-22
From the Richmond B hammer.
,,p,fs and rhafr UnsEnRvncaC

| ssThe man must be more wise than any we have
ever seen who will undertake to fOretell the effect
of the recent election the destnies Of these States
and the world. Men who are not utterly mad with
partizan Jury must see that the question OF the
power and right OF a State TO direct her own des-
tiny in this crisis has ceased TO be an abStracton
and has become potent, practical truth. The Issue
is now not subject for hustngs discussion nor Tor
ingenious ESSAYS still less for ippant street contrO
yersies. The States Of the South will act The cry
Of dlsunon has been tried. The people of the South
have said there things which will make them
hazard the Union any other form of civil govern
ment rather than fail to have ample solid security
for right The supremacy of the Federal laws and
enactments. and the power Of the Federal Govern
ment OUer SOvereigR States and Uer people, have been
affirmed by many and denied by the people Of the
Southern States Virginia joining as Of old IN the de-
NAL.
The issues of the la:e canvass have passed away
great pressing pubc necessity, full of peril, de-
mands now the calm consideration and action OF the
people Of the South and will speedily claim the at
tention Of the acting Government Of this Conted-
eracy.
The Government is impotent to control the action
of these States. The people Of the States them
selves may do much to direct the action OF their
sister States. And from the calm and firm action
of the States of the South we anticipate yet pa
cfc and final settlement Of sectional COntrOveT-
sizes on a permanent basis. There must be efectul,
enduring indestructble security provided against
any Legislative or Executive action by the commu-
mites in which slavery does not exist against slave
property. Slave property must enjoy the freedom
and the protection given to all other property, not
only in the States where 1t Is held but IN all the
common Territories and possessions OF any Con
federacy to which the Southern States are parties
This is the matter which mas been decided oy the
votes given in the slave States at this election.
On this issue this election made TO turn. On
the adverse decision of the Northern States pro-
claimed at the polls the Southern States are about
to decide in their characters as sovereign commun
ties.
The declaration of the Northern people has been,
not that Squater Sovereignty right or wrong; not
that the Kansas Bill was right wrong. 1t has been
announced by the voters of the North that slave
property was the dependent Of the Federal Govern
ment. and that the acting General Government OF
the United States could either grant or deny protec
ton to this property at its will That neither
the Constitution the judicial decisions should
protect il against the majority OF the people acting
through the Federal Government And farther,
that there was difference between slaves and other
property which made the title of the owner depend
ent upon the will of the Federal Government. And
they have proclaimed more: that those shall admin
lister this government only who entertain these views
and will use the power of government to prevent
the extension of slave property, and to produce If
possible its ultimate extinction. This last is to be
done gradually, Of course; but it is to be accom-
plished if possible. and peacefully, but the Govern
ment is TO be used for this purpose That this de-
csion has been rendered by the people Of the North
at this election, we presume no man will deny
The large majority of the Southern States have
proclaimed directly opposite doctrine, and have
refused to adopt the Northern creed this subject
The issue about this matter has passed into adju
dictated question far the people of the States
the two sections are concerned.
The decision rendered by the North is in accor-
dance with the settled determination and deliberate
sentiment Of that people. They have under the Con-
stItution the controlling power over the legislative
and executive departments Of the government.
They have control Of the general taxing power, and
thetreasury and military force of the government
And this power Is permanently in their hands. And
more. Every day will make their power larger and
its action more efficient and direct.
This rs the condition of affairs which has ELECTED
such earnest and deep feeling the Southern States
Ii Is not the elevation of man, the temporary
success Of political party but it is the deliberate
declaration Of principles and policy adverse to the
rights and interests OF the property holders in the
South made by the majority of the people and States
who do and will permanently control the govern
ment of this ConfedeTacy, which forces upon the |
peope of the South necessity to guard instantly
against the establishment of power hostile and !
ruinous to their whole social polty and individual
interests.
in tue Slave States 1t must compel uniformity OF
action and make our people ore IN sentiment and
feeling The South cannot allow this contest to be
fought by detachments. If they do, they will give
to this controversy bloody and fatal character II
they come TO act IN unity, peaceluL seteHlSiit va
all their difficulties may be had. II they DIVIDE,
they but postpone their ultimate union. and make
final settlement, TO be attained by long, painful
and perhaps bloody conflict
We ask the people to consider this calmly. Let
them dismiss the suspicious jealOusies and hatreds
born in the late animated party contest They must
be in tatc-et them be one in action. Above all
things, let them look their affairs as they are
not as they think they ought to be-and remember
that party in the South has now demanded any
nIlNllaua IN Nub oh aar,,t,n
they were not onutled-that no party here has at
any time invaded the rights, property or privilege
of any state, of any citizen of a State All they
have asked Is equality of right and equal protection
under the common, supreme, fundamental law-the
Constitution.