Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-01-16

Indignantly frowning upon the dawning
of every attempt to alternate any portion of
our country from the rest. or to enfeebe
the sacred ties which now link together the
various partsn Washington
1.-THE Union must and shall be preserved"
g jackson.
'I shall stand upon the Constitution. 1
need no other platform" Webster.
PREAMBLE AND DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES OF
THE UNION LEAGUE.
The undersigned, citizens of the United
States, believing that the object of the adop-
ton of the American Constitution by our
forefathers was to 80 establish Justice, to
secure domestic tranquility. to combine for the
common defense, 10 aid in the general well
fare, aud to secure the blessings ofliberty for
themselves aud their posterity;' have.in view
of the dangers which now thereafter the stabili
ty Of the Union. which dangers they believe
are the legitimate results of the false teach
ings and the political fanaticism of Northern
AbOlitionists and Anti-aavery agitaters,
been moved by a consideration of these con-
diiions of our political affairs, and recogni-
ton of the solemn responsibility resting upon
Us as citizens and as individuals. 10 Tenrw
cur declarations Of immutable attachment to
the Constitution as expOundcd by our Tore
fathers and the Supreme Court of the United
States and the Union as it has existed in the
minds OF the patriots gone before as; and 10
pledge ourselves to resiet, by all just, legal !
and constitutional means, every attempt that
may hereafter be made to infringe upon the
sovereign rights of any State or Territory,
or the constitutional rights of any section,
by enactments based upon loose construc-
tions OF the Federal Constitution or to sub
vert. in any manner whats oever these powers
which were reserved by the people at the
time when the General Government was Or
Oln za6 A md hat a.,
able to enforce the principles thus enunciat-
ed, we have constituted ourselves into a
political association. the duties of which shall
be to preserve intact the constitutional safe
guards OF our Republican Government, bus
ing our political action upon the belief that
our highest merits as freeborn citizens con-
sst in an unyielding opposition to the wick
ed aud artful Vaccinations of tyrants aud
traitors.
And in order to attain our end in the
wisest and most patriotic manner, we do
hereby subscribe our Names and solicit ali
true citizens to join us in this act, most
solemniy pledge ''our fortunes and our sacred
honors, to maintain the principles set forth
IN aud accompanying this preamble.
fIRsT.-We will not cast our vote or give
our support to any man whose political ante
cedents are not in harmony with the princi-
pies herein set forth, unless he has become,
and is, at the time of our granting him such
support, member OF this association in good
standing.
SECOND These principles are: FIRST, To
maintain only strict construction oil the
Constitution OF the United States; holding
however, to the doctrine that il is the duty
OF every every goJd citizen to obey implicit
ly all laws which may have been enacted by
all legally constituted bodies having law
making powers. until such enactmenis are |
annuiled by the decisions of the higher Courts |
of the State in which such laws were enacted, |
or by the Supreme Court of the United States. |
And in the contingency of conflict OF the |
laws of Congress with those of any State, we
assume and believe that every citizen should |
conform TO the requirements of the former, |
and disregard those of the latter.
SECoND.-To discountenance and oppose |
all acts, professions, publications or proceed |
ings calculated TO impair the interests or iu |
fringe upon the sovereign rights OF any State |
or section of this Union; whether such acts, !
professions, publications or proceedings EN- |
anate from the Legislature of any Stale or ]
States, or any citiz,ns thereof, or from the !;
Government OF The United States; and TO re- |
luke with prompIness and decision any at |
tempt which may be made to weaken or sew |
or the fraternal ties which bind US together |
as Community OF States.
THIRD.-Io main inviolate the inherent !
right of the citizens of any State, TO remove
their property iuio any Territory of the jail
ted Stat s, without any distinction as to the
nature of said property, and TO hold the same
in said Territory. rus ject in all possible cases
to the same limitations and restrictions. and
entitled TO the same guarantees; the nature
Of such property being determined accord
lag to The laws of the State from whence il
was taken.
FOURTH To disconntenance the desecra-
ton of the Sacred Desk by the introduction
Of secular controversies, which should be de-
voted to the Holy Doctrines of Him who
taught "peace and good will to all mea," aud
who refraincd Himself from all participation
in political affairs.
The subscribers hereto do further pledge
themselves TO conform in every particular TO
the requirements of the Constitution and by
laws or rules and regulations belonging TO
this association.
THE UNION"
On WEDNESDAY EVENING, Dc. 2S. 1853. the
Union Club No. of the City OF New York,
was duly organized according 10 The pream-
BILE and declaration OF principles Of the Union
League, and the following officers unanimous
ly elected for the ensuing year:
JoHN RADwAr. JR.. President.
joan ID. VoSE Vice Pr sident.
DANIEI. S. MARVIN. Treasurer.
ALEX Hull, Secretary.