Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-06-19

defence Of those principles as shown tv the whole
history of the State, could not have dou bted as tc
the position that Tennessee would occupy upon the
presentation Of such an ISSUE
y While it is to me a source Of regret that entire
kInanimity was not attained at the ballot in the
kecision Of the vitality important and exciting cues
tons referred to, have entire confidence that now
the deliberate and impartial judgment of the over
whelming majority of the people of the State has.
ing been recorded, the whole people forgetting
these differences Of opinion, however earnestly and
honestly entertained, will stand together as one
man In maintaining the rights honor and dignity OF
Tennessee, and in preserving the domestic tranquil
ity of the community. The time for elimination
and recrimination has passed; threatened by COM
lInon enemy, lmperilcd by common danger, bound
together by ties which cannot be severed, we are
identical in interest, we must be so in action.
ii The State of Tennessee, cooperating with her
Isister States of the South, has been compelled
\ to take up arms in defence OF rights
she could not surrender. To this war thus forced
upon us, there can be but two sides. / cannot be-
lieve that there is any portion of our people who
will espouse the cause of the enemies of Tennessee
l or be Indifferent spectators OF the contest.
Impartial history will attest that no free people
Jealous of their rights have been more observant
of their constitutional duties, loyal to their
Government Exacting no peculiar privileges, they
have at all times been ready TO acknowledge and
maintain the rights of others. In times of common
peril they have always stood firm and contributed
their full proportion of talent both to the Cabine;
and the field, and now that we have exhausted the
last remedy have made the last appeal to the rea-
son and justice of those who would Cypress u.s. and
have been driven to the necessity of taking our
rights into our own hands and defying the power
that assails hem there certainly cannot be any part
of our people who will not spurn the usurper and
resist him TO the last extremity.
In the midst of the gloom and privations necessa-
riy incidental to state of war let us console our
selves With the reflection that we occupy the same
relation to posterIty that our fathers of the first
revolution occupied to us.
They enjoyed the glorious privilege of establish
ing the great principle which secured to us civil
and religious liberty and political equality; while
it is our privilege and solemn duty to maintain
and transmit to posterity the same great prin-
ciple unimpaired.
The spirit and determination manifested by the
people OF the whole South to maintain this principle
against the tyranny of usurpation, gives the high
est and most cheering assurance that America will
still be the abiding place of self-government and
free institutions, and proves the truth of the long
disputed theory of our fathers, that brave and
enlightened people, educated in the doctrine of
individual and State equality are capable, and of
right ought to govern themselves. In the midst Of
federal revolution perfect order has been preserved
in our State Government; in the moment of dis
solving our former federal fabric, another, new,
and of perfect and enduring proportions, is reared
leaving us at no tame without the full benefit of
Government, or the security of laws.
III The new relations which we have assumed in be-
Coming a part of the Provisional Government of
the Confederate States, imposes the necessity of
some additional legislation cheerfully submit to
your consideration all questions pertaining to our
federal relations for such legislation as may be
necessary TO US as part of that Government.
There has been for many years statute In the
State defining the crime of treason and prescribing
the punishment
respectfully recommend that you amend that
law to the extent of striking out the words United
States" and insert in lieu of them Confederate States.
Under the provisions Of the act of 1852 the prln,
cple and interest of the internal improvement bonds
iof the State are made payable in the city of New
York. 1t will be impossible to pay the interest ac-
crung, at that point during the continuance of the
war
to to require the payment the Bank of Tennes-
see, at Nashville, at Charleston New Orleans,
of all sums which may become ne from the State
to the people of all Governments which are on terms
of peace and friendship with u.s. who are and were
pre- vious to the commencement of the bona fide
owners of our bonds, and that you adopt such poll
cy towards the owners and holders of our bonds,
who citizens of States at with us, is
ognized and justified by the law of nations regula
ting their intercourse as belligerents.
The ordeal through which the country is now
passing necessarily prostrates the trade and COM
merce of the country, and deranges the currency
to greater or less extent Such legislation as will
Confederate States is of the highest Importance.
therefore submit the question to your consideration
for such action as in your opinion, the general well
fare demands
By the - section of the act of the 9th May, 1861,
il is made the duty of the Governor to issue bonds
of the State for the purpose of raising fund with
which to defray the expenses of the provisional
army of the State. In view of the scarcity of q
circulating medium and the probable difficulty of
converting any considerable amount of bonds into
commend that you so modify that act as to author
Ze the issuance of Treasury Notes TO the extent of
tbree-hflhs of the amount authorized to be issued,
in lieu of that amount of said bonds; and that the
same, when issued, be made receivable by the State
in payment of all taxes or government dues.
In obedience TO your act of 9th May, 1861, 4
have caused to be organized, armed and equipped,l
twenty-one regiments of infantry in the field.
ten artillery companies in progress of organization
and a sufficient number of cavalry companies to
compose one regiment. The organization of AM
Engineer Corps is nearly completed.
In addition to which we have three regiments
mustered into the service of the Confederate States
now IN Virginia, and number of our citizens in
the service of that Government stationed at Pensa
cola. For full and accurate information as to the
army organization refer you to the reports of the
proper officers, hereafterIto he laid before you if
desired. 1t is proper to remark in this connection
that without even a call being made upon them, a
much larger number of our patriotic citizens have
rendered Lnef services 10 the STATE tnan nave
thought proper to accept Should the necessities of
State at any time require larger force, feel as
sured that our brave and gallant people will rush
with aacrty to the field, to swell the force to
the point of equaling any such necessity.
| commend those brave and patriotic citizen
soldiers to your most favorable consideration and
recommend the adoption of such measures as will
most tend promote their health and comfort while
in the field.
1t is proper that call your attention to the fact
that few days since Return J. Meigs Esq., resign
ed the office of Librarian to the State. The office
is vacant and the duty of filling it by election
1evOlves upon you.
cannot, in justice to my own feelings and sense
Of duty, close this communication without urging |
upon you, and through you upon thoseyou represent
the Importance and propriety of moderation, for
and Cancellation in your intercourse with
each other however widely and earnestly you may |
have differed in your opinions and action upon the
important and exciting questions recently settled
Invoking a continuation of the blessings of the |
Supreme Ruler of the Universe upon our cause |
our country and our people, submit the matter |
% your hands. IRHAM G. HARRIS.
On motion of Mr.. WHITE, of Davidson it was |
ordered that two thousand copies of the message be
printed for the of the House.
Before the question to print was put
Mr. WISENER stated that he had always been op-
POSED to secession but had at the time de- |
,lared that he would acquiesce in the will of the
majority of the people. They had decided that he
was wrongs majority of his own constituents had |
% decided, and he had resigned his seat the
legislature but the Governor refused to accept his
resignation. He was here now to sustain the ac-
ion of the State by his voice and his votes.
SENATE RESOLUTION.
Senate resolution instructIng the Joint Select
Committee on Military Affairs to report bill for
he organization and equipment of the militia of the
tate, was taken up and rejected
RESOLUTION.
Mr.. WOOD offered resolution rendering the Her
ntage 10 the Government Of the Confederate States
or a military academy and giving the Confederate
Government two years in which to accept the ten
er, which lies over.
NEW BILLS
The following bills were introduced and passed on
be first reading:
By Mr.. DAVIS: No. Ito increase the paw of
rst sergeants of companies.
By Mr.. EWING: No. l8-For the benefit of cav
Try companies.
BY Mr.. BAKER of Perry: No. 19-To suss end
nd declare vacant the Office of Supervisor of
anks, during the war, and requiring all Banks to
10 statements IN no ]