Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-11-17
To the southern states.


ed for President, an AbolitOnist
The Union which has heretofore existed between
the Free and the Slave States has been broken, and
sectional freesoi, abolition administration IS soon
to be inaugurated in the person Of Abraham Lin
coin the President elect.
We respectfully inquire If any argument IS ne
eessary to prove TO Southern men, that Union OF
the Free States in ayowed, hostile opposition TO the
institution Of slavery, should cause an immediate
,oa of the SdUe States, in its maintenance and sup
port? ,.,-,,--. .,
are grateful to them they have done the best they
couid: but as all is lost far the great result Is
concerned, we must now look to ourselves.
The ordeal so long anticipated, AID which Is to
nut Southern patriotism, wisdom and courage to
the test has come, and we must prepare 10 pass
The true patriot will not at this time forsake all
other questions to count up the cost nor will he
rely uDon his imagination to the sacrifices he
NAV endure, nor should lie look to individual ag-
grandizement, or political preterment
There Is but one question for the true man TO con
slider land the previous question to all others and
! that is acton-Or non-acton on the part or the
State of which he is citizen, and OF the Southern
| States generally. So
! There is no country in the world where polite:
are so much the subject of daily conversation as IL
| tbe South or 90 well understood. and the epoch ha;
come when Southern mind and Southern rights
| must resolve themselves into Southern dct'oH
/
provided for the present emergency by requesting
their Governors to call convention of the people
| in their respective states. ,
| There sb0uld be conventions simultaneously held
in every Southern State-the occasion and Southern
Rights demand It.
| The south itself would then learn what Southern
patriotism wisdom and courage, is capable OF adYls
inc and DOING for the preservation Of our honor our
liberty and our rights and the North, and the West
! and Europe. would soon learn the lesson.
ale bofn I- tauUllt
us sboud be'reCarded: caution and prudence should
! be respected and wisdom, which IS 1.-THE right use
or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable
! ends and of the best means TO accomplish them,
should govern all.
We yyouId not presume 90 mark out the action OF
sucb conventions but would with all Difference
suggest the propriety and policy of their providing
for IN ultimate convention or Congress OF all the
seeding states.
And the leading object of such convention would
be the formation of a SOUTHERN CONSTITUTION
which when adopted bya certain number OF states,
should be the Organic Law and bond OF Union OF
| those States, under. a SOUTHERN CONtEDERA-
CY and into which other States may be subsequent
ly admitted, upon complying with the SAID O9nstitu-
| ton and Laws.
We are aware that few of our citizens are not
az this time prepared for dissolution of the present
Union, and honestly entertain doubts as TO the right
/ or policy Of such course for present causes.
II the said Southern States should meet in COnven-
] uol an opportunity might ne pIHSeHtcOI NiAiu IlO
| Only one of which ] can conccIve.) by which the
people Of the free States. through their Representa-
tives in Congress. may re-Crea.e perfect, and
| enduring union between US.
| This might possibly be accomplished bv an AMIGA
| HE arrangement mode, to free and slave Ter
ritory now owned or that may hereafter be acguir-
cd the introduction of slavery political question
| in Congress and any other questions likely to dis.
| t,rb that peace and harmony which should ever ex-
| list between united people
=, no pnspuMpUprE IU,1
| cv N those States which may enter into it. That
Tsortion of the Black Republican, alias Abolition
| Marty. which are sincere in their sentiment them
solves. desire separation from all. or any connec
tion with slavery stigmatZIng it as moral ana pc
Iitinsl leprosy aud would not therefore, incur the
loss of blood and treasure to again unite themseLEe
itI - wore il practicable And as to those polltl
| csI dauagogues who denounce slavery as 'the sun
of all yillanes and still wish to retain 1t by iorc
| in the Union-their occupation would soon De gone
| These Benedict Arnolds in peace, having betrayed
| their countrymen. would, by Inc same ACT Ha'
committed political suicide. ,-.---,.... g..
| There should be any of our sister slave state
unwilling at the present 10 join Southern Conod
eracv. where would they go? Despised and detaUi
cd bv the North as accursed by the sin OF slavery
| tl,crn couId he no union between such antagonist
elements the conflict is rrepressible 1--WE arc told,
| therefore a third ConfederRcy. or Union with tn
previously united Southern States would be the on
alternative And las blood is thicker than water
we know which they would choose.
With the highest appreciation OF the glories OF IN
mast and the most earnest desire for the future we
| fare. these views are respectfully submitted, hum
Nv Trusting in that Providence whose eye has eve
1T.tcbed over Us and whose arm has never forsake
ALABAMA