Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-11-22
To his ExceIIcncy, ISham &. Harris, Cow
ernOr of the State of Tennessee.

You will not regard it as obtrusive in an humble
citizen, who, lalthOugh not acquainted with you
personally, is nevertheless well informed Of your
character an elevated statesman) to address tC
you suggestive word or two through the public
press.
Whilst am no politician and have nothing to ask
OF the Powers that be " still feel that love my
country. and believe that in these troublous times
which upon us it is the duty of all men to speak
or write, or in some way throw even their modicum
Of mind into the counses of the country, either as
advisory or suggestive or whatever way else
may tend to aid in the salvation of the
Government, or the prese1 walton of this glorious
Union. The residential election having transpired.
all the disagreeabe incidents to which a heated.
acrimonious contest gave birth. ought to be buried
in Oblivion.
No good man who loves his country, or cherishes
her honor and happiness will entertain party ami
mosiues and antagonisms nor, or stop to debate
personal preferences of particular candidates when
the union of the States is in most imminent danger
and the whole South in a state Of agitation on ac-
count Of supposed grievances which they have
suffered and, are still suffering from the hands Of
our Northern brethren
South Carolina Georgia and Alabama have con-
Ncncd their respective Legislatures and have deter
mined to sccede from the Confederacy. The Cover
uurs Of Mississippi of Arkansas and even Of modest
and conservative North Carolina and Virginia, are
pursuing the same course-convcning their Legis-
aiures TO consult and advise as to what is wisest
and best TO be done to vindcate their constitutional
rights
The questions torcibiy present themselves: What
will Tennessee DO: What ought She to do under
the circumstances
d is the opinion Of many wise men with whom
have talked, that your Excellcncy should cooperate
with the other Southern States-that the South
should act as unit in this great emergency
The Governor should exercise his prcrogatiye on the
extraordinary occasion, of converting the Lecisla-
ture- And when the Representatives of the Peonlc
are thus assembled, the momentous matters now
agltating the whole South should be submitted IN
them as an advisory council. The popular heart of
Tennessee Is in favor Of the Union Union founded
on the integrity of the Constitution: but our neopo
are too well informed OF their rights and too iealops
OF their honor, to desire pcrpetuation of Tnior
not fortified by a Constitution preserved nvioate by
the whole Union. but violated at pleasure hv our
Northern brethren. and its sacred behcsts set a
nOugfu by POSITIVE ACTS OF NAilLCatlon, SUlVmulN
passed by grave Legislatures.
The truth is, sir, we may sing pgans tothe Unior
as much and as long as we please, it is impossible
for Tennessee with all her conservatism, not to sym
pathise with the whole South. and with herself il
the aggressons which have been perpetrated an,
which may be continued 10 under Mr.. LINCOLN,
administration, IN the non-execution of the fugi
tive slave law and its positive notification by clever
of the free States and their refusal to accord to III
equal rights in the Territories. Several Of tn,
Southern States have invited Tennessee to co-ope
rate with them. Why shall she stand back and with
hold her action? In the present aspect of thing,
the dictates Of wisdom point to a great Southern
Convention, composed Of delegates from all tn,
Southern States, meeting together as a band o
brothers suffering the same grievances to consul
for their common welfare. This can be done in al
authentic way by the Legislature only an,
not bv mass State Convention Of the People "A
proposed by the Banner Of Saturday last The pal
of appointing delegates by the Legislature, un
6erstand it. has already been inaugurated and pro
posed By Alabama and Georgia. 1t is the most prac
teal working expeditions and effective metho
mall respects. Irepeat, let delegates be apponte,
by the Legislatures of the Southern States. lie
them meet in convention, and as a unit, demand O
the North as their lltin!atJal as a isRe qua MOI
to their continuance in the Union the repeal by tn
Northern States which have passed them of tn
acts multiplying the Fugitive Slave Law, togethe