Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1860-12-11
Safe and Practical. as a

4
sures of adjustment while providing against
the calamities consequent upon the failure.
| In the present phase of our crisis it seems
clear that the business of saving the country
deTolves upon the Middle States. They must
| take the matter in their own hands. South
Carolina is of. 1t would appear that Ala
| bama, Mississippi and Florida are determined
to go. A conference" would probably be
of little avail even could it be hurried on
with sufficient speed to overtake them. If
they are '.joined to their idols, let them
alonen The Union, the Constitution, our Ma
tional Flag, will still remain with the Middle
States, to wnom they will rightfully belong
Let them be held and defended.
But which are these Middle States?' or
what States can surely be relied upon to rally
around the Old Standard-its stirring en-
blems, the stars and stripes. the eagle, olive
branch, and arrows, and its noble motto
that standard which has been our pride, and
honor, and triumph, in peace and war, and
which, God grant, may never trail, or give
place to another of strange device"
Let US see.-But here it may be proper
| first to remark, that we are not setting forth
any new idea. but only aiming to elaborate
sound and practical suggestion, sc as to
present it in a more prominent aud definite
shape. 1t has been maintained that if but
nine States remained true to the Constitu-
| ton, the Union would stand. 1t is beyond
reasonable doubt that at least one half of the
States, with most of the Territories, compri-
| sing four fifths of our whole domain, would
in accordance with a previous understand
ing, remain loyal and united under the exist
ing order of government and upon the old
| terms, in the event of a revolution precipi-
tated by persistence in notification and Sc
cession on the part of other States. If called
to speak prior to the excitement of such
event. the following would be almost certain
10 express their will to this effect-Viz:
Virginia. Maryland, the District of Colum-
bia, with the Capitol, DC, Pennsylvania, New
Jersey, the Southern angle of New York, in
Guiding New York city and harbor, Long Is
land, &C., Delaware North Carolina, Tennes-
see, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Louisiana,
Arkansas, the Western Territories, California
and Oregon.
Although some of these gave in the late
election cause for offence and distrust, be-
sides laboring under some (unmerited) obi
um in consequence of unqualified and after
unwarranted representations of individuals
working to "fre the Southern heart and IN
STRICT the Southern mind" yet 1 believe
each one of them will prove true, and gladly
remain in rank. Others probably would fall
in when this stand was once avowed.
Holding to the time honored Flag and Con-
stituton. they would constitute the ''UNTTED
STATES OF AMERICA" whatever flags and
names others might assume. They would
form a central Union strong enough to with
stand ANY Vaccinations or assaults whether
from the North or South, and to command
the respect of Foreign Powers; thus insuring
a stable government on this continent, while
avoiding the great calamities incident upon
sectional partition.
They are grouped together upon The fol-
lowing considerations:
The Middle States South are conservative;
their relation to the two extremes enables
them to take an impartial and comprehen
sive view. They are qualified to judge right
". To them we must look for wise counsel
and safe direction. They cannot permit
themselves to be overruled and led by ex-
tremists The Middle Western States are
also essentially conservative, if we except
the State Of Ohio. Indiana and Illinois are
partly populated from Southern States, and
entertain good feeling. They have in gener-
al accorded US our rights and punished inter
ferers, Notwithstanding the hostile legislation
imputed to them by some, although doubt
less upon too hasty examination, judging
from the discrepant statements on the sub
ject Their fellowship would secure an out
let to the great lakes SO important to our
commerce. Pennsylvania has always shown
herself true to the Constitution, and won the
respect of the nation North and South. She
is sound at bottom, notwithstanding the mo-
mentary turn in the late eletion. New York
city has sufficiently indicated her claim.
So has New Jersey. The "nullifying" laws
of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, if such |
they are, were framed before the passage 70 |
the Fugitive Slave Act, and only remain unre
to it by the Supreme Court. !
These States may well be spared from whole |
sale charges, so inconsiderately made by over
heated accusers-
Louisiana would doubtless remain true,
thus securing US the command of the mouth |
of the Mississippi for the Gulf trade. She |
must not be judged by the late mob outrages
in New Orleanes upon citizens of other
States in disregard of the protecting provis-
ion of the Constitution, and of State conf
ty. This Inauguration of terrorism was pos
sibly due to the Frech element in that city
kindled by the overtures of South Carolina
to Louis Napoleon for protection, awakening
the dream nursed by too ardent Temporal
ments that France would yet subjugate
America" 1t is certain no such displays of
hostility TO Union men and Union States
meet with sanction or sympathy in the State
at large.
Arkansas and Missouri, with the Territory
west. would find their natural position with |
us. So also would California and Oregon |
both by inclination and interest. This would |
afford a free outlet on the Pacific coast, as |
well as the mutually demanded inter-com-
munication by railroad either through Kan |
sas or Texas. lin case the latter should not |
go out.)
On the other side may perhaps be placed |
Ohio, having drawn large share of her in-
of the fanatical faint. She is obnoxious to
the South, owing to the injustice and insult
received from her mobs and her Governor.