Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-01-08
LEGISLATURES
EXTRA SESSION.
SENATE.

SENATE.
MONDAY, Jan. z, 1861.
The Senate was called to order at 1:
o'clack, NJ, by Speaker Newman.
Prayer by Rev. Mr.. Hays.
On taking the chair, Mr.. Newman address
ed the Senate as follows:
GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATA
We have been called together In the mids
of Revolution, the consequences of which DC
man can calculate; / fear no people will nov
remedy; no State counteraet, no Govern
ment stop. Allow me, however, to hope tha
our deliberations will be characterized by
calmness, GOODNESS and moderation, free from
all partizan bias Let there be no crimina
ton or recrimination, il differences of opin
ion exist among Us, as to the mode of settle
ment or manner of redress. Let US determine
to settle them by mutual communion among
ourselves, showing TO others that the unity We
desire is first exempli6ed by our own actions
which course best becomes the Representa-
tives of free people when legisiating foi
them in the midst of political revolution
and public danger. Let US act as becomes
patriots, looking not to danger but ever
having in view their rights, their honor, and
justice.
know not what questions of public pol
icy will be presented for our deliberations
Lei Us uCpt, uOHCScIt tIcf tu6y U6 VI suCu q
character, as will tend to bring together
Such Southern States in Convention as are
willing to insure cooperation and concert OF
action among people having common in
tsrest, a common right, and a common des-
tiny. I, for one, and but speak the senti-
ment of Tennessee. when say, she would do
anything consonant with duty, honor and
Justice to save the Government from destrQc-
ton, from ruin and civil war it is not fear.
"a =. Ir,S hat 10
that would have her canse just before God
and man, before she strikes down the best,
the fairest, the happiest, form of Govern
ment ever devised by the wisdom of men.
It is true the action of the Republican Rep
resentatives in the Congress of the United
States, give US no assurance of an adjust
ment of the difficulties surrounding the
country. The rejection of the just fair, and
equitable propositions of the venerable Sen
stor from Kentucky, even staggers the hopes
of the most conservative men of the South;
well might be exciaim, when they were re-
jected, cit was the darkest day OF his life"
Let the Southern States then assemble,
through their best, their ablest men, without
distinction of party; they will adopt de-
claration by which we will all stand, to
which we can all pledge our lives, our for
tunes and our sacred honor.
In Southern division there il destruction,
defeat and ruin, while in cooperation and
unity of action, there is safety, prosperity and
happiness.
As for Tennessee, she will never allow CO.
ercion, she will never, while she has an arm
to raise. see free people of Sovereign
State wear the chains of slavery. Freemen
they are-freemen they shall remain, is the
voice of the patriotic heart of her people.
shall make every endeavOr TO enforce the
rules as laid down by you for your govern
ment, and hope, by your assistance and
kindness, to make the session pleasant to rs
aIl.D
The roll was called. Senators all present
except five.
A message was received from the House
of Representatives notifying the Senate that
that body was ready for the transaction of
business
Mr. Richardson offered resolution that
Joint committee be appointed to inform the
Governor that quorum of The two branches
of the General Assembly had assembled in
accordance to his proclamation, and is ready
70 receive any message be may wish to COM
municate.
The Speaker appointed Messrs. Richard
son, Payne, and Bumpass said committee.
On motion of Mr.. Stovsll the rules of the
last session were adopted for the guidance OF
the Senate.
On motion of Mr.. Trimble. it was unsni-
mousIy resolved, under a suspension of the
rule, that 500 copies of Wsshington's Fare
we'll Address be printed for the use of the
Senate.
The Governors Message was received and
read, as follows:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
NASHVILLE, January Z, 1861
Gentlemen of &e Senate,
and House Of Representatives:
So 10 hr-1 a-sr1 10 If
the Constitution, provides that, on extraor-
binary occasions, the Governor may convene
the General Assembly. Believing the emer-
eency contemplated, to exist at this time, /
have called you together. In welcoming you
to the capitol of the State, can bat regret
The gloomy auspices under which we meet.
Grave and momentoua issues have ari en-,
which, TO an unprecedented degree, agitate
the public mind and imperil the pei petuity of
the Government
The systematic, wanton, and long contin-
ned agitation of the slavery question, with
the actual aud threatened sggressions of the
Northern States and q portion of their peo-
pie, upon the well-defned constitutional
rights of the Southern citizen; the rapid
growth and increase, in all the elements of
power, of . purely sectional party, whose
bond of union is Incorporating hostility
TO the rights and institutions OF the fifteen
SOQtQefu Ol1tce, nave pIOuuCcu Ciiois
the affairs of the country, unparalleled IN the
history of the past, resulting already in the
withdrawal from the Confederacy of one Of
the sovereignties which composed it, while
others are rapidly preparing to move In The
same direction. Fully appreciating the i'm
portance of the duties which devolve upon
you, fraught, as your action nust be, with
consequences of the highest possible impor-
lance to the people of Tennesses; knowing
-
loved State is alike interested with her sis
ters, who have resorted, and are preparing to
resort, to this fearful alternative, l have
called you together for the purpose of calm
and dispassiouate deliberation, earnestly
trusting, as the chosen representatives of q
tree and enlightened people, that you will, at
this critical juncture of our affairs, prove
yourselves equal TO the occasion which has
called for the exercise of your talent and
patriotism.
A brief review of the history Of the past
is necessary to a proper understanding of the
issues presented for you consideration.
Previous to the adoption of the Federal
Constitution, each State was q separate and
independent Governments complete sove-
reighty within itself-snd in the compact of
union, each reserved all the rights and pow
ers incident to sovereignty, except such as
were expressly delegated By the Constitution
to the General Government, or such as were
clearly incident, and necessary, TO the exer-
else Of some expressly delegated power.
The Consultation distinctly recognizes
propzfy in sisves-makes it the duty OF the
States to deliver the fugitive to his owner.
but contains no grant Of power to the FEEDER
al Governm: INT 70 interfere witt this sp' cies
of property, except "the power coupled with
the duly common to all civil governments,
to project the rights of properly, as we'll as
those of life and liberty, of the citizen, which
clearly appears from the exposition given to
that instrument by the Supreme Court Of the
United States In the case of bred Scott rs.
Sandford. In delivering the opinion Of the
Court, Chief Justice Taaey said
sNow, a. we have already said in an ear
iier part of this opinion, upon different
point, a< right Of properly IN q slave /. d.siinct
h and eYrsssiy ofsrmsd IN ll< Constitution"