Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-02-16
The hammer ON the CopvontIon,

We make the following extract from the Banner
of yesterday, to show the views it eutertans eff tbs
proposed Convention:
The proposed Convention Of the 25th of February
was revolutionary body and the only question to
be submitted TO, and decided by it. as provided in
the following portion Of the Act directing its CALL
was ''to consider the then existing relations be-
tween the Government Of the United States, and
the Government and the people Of Tennessee and
to adopt such measures for vindicating the Sover-
eighty Of the State, aud protection of its institu-
tons, as shall appear to them TO be demanded" If
that Convention had considered that the then exist
inRrelations between the State and Federal Gov
eminent demanded it, they could have passed an
ordinance declaring the State out Of the Union
from the time Of the adoption Of suoh ordinance;
and il il considered that the vindicston Of the SOW
ereignty of Tennessee required the step, it could
have passed an ordinance to raise srns and equip
standing army of sixteen thousand men. The con-
vening OF such revolutionary body, with such
powers was then pregnant with the diTest mischief
TO the people, who it seems. fully and clearly ap-
preciated its real character and object, and act
ed with great wisdom and prudence in voting
on the proposition to call it, The "March hares ("
defeated ia their attempt to rush Tennessee out of
the Union before the 4tk of March, would no
doubt, prefer TO have body in session upon which
they could operate by future Contingencies gu at.
tack upon Port Sumter or Fort Pickens. 1t is much
easier as this faction well know TO bring the press
ure Of such contingencies as their revolutionary
allies in the cotton States shall produce. for the
firing Of the Southern heart and forcing Tennessee
out Of the Union successfully to bear upon a body
of a hundred men, than upon one hundred and
hfty thousand men. For that reason they deplore
that the proposition to call that revolutionary body
was defeated, and their soup OF humiliation is filed
to the brim But the people we believe, rejoice in
its defest or else they would not have voted go
overwhelmingly against it. IL ledpeS Their destiny IN
thar onc,g hands.
The course and conduct of the usUpers and tyrdat,
In South Carolina. Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mis-
eissippi and Louisiana, and in the Congress Of
asurpers and tyrantr, now convened in Montgomery,
admoGishes them tina, they Shouts never entrust
theis destiny aud the destiny of their Siale into
auy ether hands THAI their own.
0Usurpers and tyrsnts ain Congress Of usEr-
psrs and syrants now convened in Montgomery.
We think that the past history of country, par
ticularly that portion Of it which tells Of anti
slavery aggression upon Southern rights, proves
most coDclusivey that the people Of the South, not
vitbstsnding they are considered high melted and
impetuous are indeed most patient and fOrbearing.
STEPHENS. BEN. HILL, MATS, INSECT, CONRAD, Of
Louisiana and their associates, Saitps' Of the Soah
denounced ss ''usurpers and yrsn!s" by the editor
NJ the Banner. There are in that Congress the mos
eminent Of the BELL. DOUGLAS and BRECKINRIDGE
nart;es. Some Of whom have sustained untsrnisA-
I'D tbe American name in the councils of
the nation and on the battle field. We have
no desire 10 make any sllusiOn to The
Mace OF the nativity Of any citizen Of the
South. bat we cannot forbesr to suggest to
the editor of the Bannsr that when be
leaves the fsld of argument. and betakes himself
IA denunoiatiou ef those who rank among the best
and brayest OF the sOes Of the Soutn' as usurpers
ana tyrspts, because they dare resist Northern sg-
erosion, the thought iTOluntsrily occurs thst
such language would appear less harsh from one
bo has loreer thss he been resident of the South