Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-11-28
COMMUNICATIONS
state Rights Meeting at GreenviIIo.

COMMUNICATIONS
state Rights Meeting at GreenViIIe.
GREESvHLE, Tenn, Nov. 24th, 1860.
Editors Union and american: Some days ago the
Democracy Of Green county held meeting and call
ed a convention Of all parties TO assemble in this
place to-day The day was very cold and disagree
able, yet a respectable number of the citizens of
Green assembled in the Court House, and passed a
series of resolutions conservative in their charac
ter, but firm in the enunciation Of our cOnstItu-
tional rights. The substance Of the resolutions
deprecated secession, at this time, and preferred
waiting for some direct attack upon our rights by
the dominant party, when all the States aggrieved
might and should act as a unit The repeal of the
personal liberty bills passed by number of the
States in the North was demanded, also the enforce
nent of the fugitive slave act and protection Of
property in the common Territories. No call was
made for a convention, but all the counties in the
State requested to hold primary meetings with the
view of arriving at the sentiment OF the State on
the all important subject now agitating the coun-
try. The resolutions were read by Mr.. ROBERT
JOHNSON As soon as he finished Mr.. THOMAS d. AR
MOLD, DOUGLAS Dem) arose and objected to the
resolutions being put HeSvas for one resolution
declaring for the Union. He considered the resou-
tons offered as equvoca and partizan IN their char
acter.
Hon. TBos. A. r. NELSON hoped that Gen. ARNOLD
would consider the resolutions So far as the spirit
Of the resolutions were concerned they were emf
nently conservative. He was opposed to postpon-
ing the resolutions. Gen. JACKSON never was
great favorite of his, but he remembered drafting
resolutions sustaining him in 1882 when South
Carolina was giving trouble to the country. He
came not to advance any personal interest," but to
DO his duty to his country. lie wanted TO stay the
progress of disunion in the land. There is crisis
upon the country that we have never witnessed be-
fore. He wanted to lay down tie partisan and rise
to the dignity and majesty of patriot.
Mr. Howard had no doubt but the resolutions
were drawn by the committee in patriotic spirit,
and moved that they be re-read slowly one at
time.
Gen. ARNOLD said he did not come to give distur-
hance to a Union Injecting. The secession men
will report that the meeting was a failure.
The town Of Greenville can turn out at any
time a crowd larger than this. Your men
he said, did not wish to vote for resolutions in the
dark. There is large party in the country that do
not believe in the resolution the subject of the
Territories. The resolution says that Congress has
no right to abolish slavery in the Territories Why
not put in-or protect? He did not belong to the
Democratic party-but believed in the doctrine Of
Squater Sovereignty moved to lay TIE resolutions
upon the table and have them printed, and postpone
the meeting. He was willing to try Old ABE before
he would condemn him. If the North does wrong
it is no reason that we should. If LINCOLN does
right he is as good for Us as any man, but if he
does not we will beard him in his den, and hang
him if necessary. He thought that there was a
trick in the resolutions; he looked upon them with
suspicion. The farmers and mechanics he consider
ed the best posted politicians in the United States
they understood the secession question, and all
other questions He and HAYNES had been person
ally and politically friends, but the link had been
broken by recent dvsi ons. The resolutions. he
thought, run foul of a eat party in this country,
on the subject Of slavery in the Territories,
Gov oHNsoNregretted to see things take the course
they had. Gen. ARNOLD would be satisfied with
only one resolution. Every man was for the Union
but they wanted something else. We are in favor
Of the Union based upon the principles Of the Con
stituton. We are for the Union first. We want
united expression upon this subject 4 committee
Of all three parties of intelligence have agreed
upon these resolutions. Men of all parties have as
scmbled hoping that it viii exert salutary infu-
ence upon the country.
The Union grows out of the Constitution, and the
preservation Of the Union depends upon the preser
walton of the Constitution If action is not speedy
it viii do no good. The resolutions steer clear of
all little nceties OF party.
Is Gen. ARNOLD afraid that he will be taken in
He did not consider it necessary for any one to be
afraid. We all have common purpose and inter.
est.
Gen. ARNOLD contended that the resolutions op
posed Squatter Sovereignty.
NELSON did not .hink that the resolutions touch
ed the DOUGLAS doctrine.
Gen ARNOLD I never intend to join another
party as long as l live. | am now fairly in
the Democratic party, but l never intend to
be bound by party drill and surveillance. The
resolution about the Supreme Court is most
Objectionable. 1t makes II political institu-
ton, and comes from BILLY IANCEY 1t has nothing
10 do with politics. Ii is the most Objectionable
resolution of all the series. Gov. JOHNSON turns
up his nose at the Union. it is worth moth
ing with him without the Constitution. " The
some of the learned gentleman explain? 1t will
be like the Cincinnati Platform susceptible Of two
constructions faced. lie belonged to the
Democratic party. but not to the disunion wing.
He was for mastery inaction. Some men in Ten
nessce were for disunion, but were afraid 10 avOw
it. "A voice I am not afraidD If LINCOLN talks as
he viii talk and is bound to talk he will not inter-
fere with slavery, and will enforce the Fugitive
Slave act DO not believe that any of the South
ern States dare secede. Some of the Federal off
GERS resigned in South Carolina until the State
promised to pension them in lieu of their salaries
They had no commerce-not even a fishing smack.
Old ABE will come down on her and crush her out.
They expect Napoleon to AID her. Then there will
be a United States and the sword Of every true
American will be drawn against that vile tyrant
Negotiations have been going on between them.
would say to LINCOLN, let South Carolua alone
unless she attempts to establish protectorate and
she will come back
NELSON. l have read thc resolutions, and have
not dotted an or crossed {, and am willing to
adopt them, looking to lhe result. If l had
drafted the resolutions might have made some
little charges, but looking TO them a whole he
willing to adopt them.
ARNOIn.-Mr. BRITTON. one OF the DOUGLAS men on
the Committee, was not a DOUGLAS man he had
thrown cold water upon them and voted for BRICK
INRIDE.
BRITToN-I can prove, sir, by any jury, that | am
a better DOUGLAS man than you are.
NELSON then took up each resolution and discussed
them. Said that the only difference between the
BELL and BREcKrNRRGE party on the subject of pro-
lection was, that the former considered it a matter
of very little Importance, and the latter considered it
as matter os very great Importance. Mr.. BELL ten
years ago advocated protection.
ARYoLD.-I nterupting NELSON said that the doc
trne of protection was Pandora's box, opened for
political purposes. The fight in Tennessee was
made on that resolution.
NELSON continuing his speech. said that he appre-
hended no danger from LINCOLN on the subject Of
slavery, judging from his views expressed in his
speeches in Illinois, while canyassing the State with