The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-07-12
To the Voters of Monroe County.

At the April term of the County Court
I was nominated by the Union men of
Monroe county candidate to represent
them in the lower branch of the next
Legislature At that time the present
President, Mr. Lincoln, had been inaugu.
rated, and had declared his intention to
pursue such policy as would preserve the
peace. lie had given assurances to our
public men that his policy should be not
only peaceful but conciliatory. Under
these assurances the States of Virginia.
North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee,
Arkansas aud Missouri manifested salts
faction, and disposition to remain in
the Union; but they had declared by their
Legislatures that if the General Govern
mcnt attempted the coercion or subiuga.
ton of the seeded Southern States, they
would resist it at all hazards and to the
last extremity. This declaration of their
Legislatures was approved and sanction
ed by the people of Tennessee. almost
unanimously, and met with my unqual-
fed appreciation. In sccordance with
these pledges of the Administration, the
whole country, North aad South, was
made to believe that Fort Sumter would
be Immediately evacuated. This assu-
rance was given to the Southern Commits
sioners by Judge Campbell, after confer
ing with Mr.. Seward, at the instance and
in company with Judge Nelson; but in
stead of the evacuation, a number of YES
sells Of war, with men and provisions,
were sent to Charleston, and a special
messenger to Gov. Pickens to notify him
that Fort Sumter would be relieved,
peaceably if they could, forcibly if they
must. This they knew, as every man in
the United States did, would bring about
a collision. The consequence was, Fort
Sumter was captured. Then followed, oil
the 18th of April, the call by the Presi-
dent for seventy Eve thousand volunteers
every Southern State refusing to respond
thereto; next, perhaps on the Sd of May,
he called for some eighty thousand more
volunteers to serve for three years, and
to increase the regular army and the navy,
in direct violation of the Constitution. as
Stunning to himself powers which, by it, is
given alone TO Congress. Why this vast
| amount of violation of the Constitution?
Evidently to coerce and su6jugate the
Southern States. This, Virginia, North
Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas in ac-
cordance with their pledges, have resist
ed. With these great States, and for the
same reasons, |, 100, have changed my
sentiments Of loyalty TO the Government
of the once United States, and am for re-
ssting the illegal and unconstitutional
nggressions OF its corrupt and perfidious
Administration, to the utmost of our
ability and to the last extremity. Under
these circumstances, | felt disposed to.
withdraw from the canvass, but many
persons from different parts of the coun-
ty have insisted that / shall continue a
candidate. In accordance with their
wishes have consented thereto. 1t is a
position, fellow-citiaens, that ! did not
seek, aud, at first, reluctantly consented
to occupy--because, distrustful of my
ability fully to discharge the duties that
would devolve upon your representative
but should receive a majority of your suf-
frages, to promote your interest and the
interest Of the people of the State will be
my highest aim, and the object steadily
kept in view, and will command my en-
tire ability. JOSEPH WALKER.
July 8, 1861.