The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-02-08
To The Voters of Monroe County.
MApIsoNyfr.LE, Jan. 25, 1861.

the 23d instant, asking an expression of
my opinion upon the following questions:
1st "Is Secession remedy for the
wrongs we have suffered from unfriendly
and Unconstitutional legislation; the cleo
ton of sectional candidates to the Presi-
dency and Vice Presidency, and all evils
to be anticipated, as likely 20 come upon
us from these or any other cause" or do
/ prefer that the State should remain in
the Union, and there make the effort to
have all our rights recognized, and all our
wrongs redressed?"
I'd. In substance: VIII you use your
fufi,sss i----- --A.s,s,. -s.l- 49,
ton submitted to vote of the people for
their ratification or rejection, should you
be a member of that body?
Sd. Should Tennessee secede from the
Union, would you be willing to join with
the Cotton States and form Confederacy,
without the cooperation of Maryland,
Virginia, Kentucky and Missouri; and
more especially Kentucky"
accept with pleasure the opportunity
you have SO kindly afforded me of ex-
pressing to you, and through you to many
other citizens of Monroe county the opin-
ions entertain upon questions, the gray
est ever submitted to the American peo-
pie since the adoption Of the Federal
Constitution. Events are fast crowding
upon u.s. which threaten the destruction
of that government founded and nurtur-
ed by the wisdom of our fathers; and,
whilst know not what is in the future,
or what new and thrilling event may has
tily summons the patriot, whoever he be,
or wherever he be found, to exci else his
bes. Judgment, sanctioned and approved
by his conscience, to avert dangers yetun-
seen-let us meet the dangers and diff
culties that already surround us as be-
comes people who have proclaimed to
the world that "man is capable of self
government" | believe that a dissolu-
ton of the Union was never contemplat-
ed by the trainers of the Federal Consti
tuition, and consequently there is no au-
thorty to be found in that instrument for
the secession of State. 1t is only when
such causes exist as will justify the exer-
else of that inherent right which belongs
to the people of every government, to
change their form of government by revo-
luton, that such course could be justi-
fed.
Believing this to be the true basis up
on which we should stand in this trying
emergency, am in favor of Tennessee,
10y her legislature and her convention,
(if she have convention) asserting and
declaring her constitutional rights, in
clear and unmistakeable language, calm
ly but firmly, in such manner as to give
the least just cause of offence to those
States of whom sho seeks redress, con-
sistent with her honor. Let her plant
herself upon the Constitution and en-
deavor to secure in the Union, the rights
guaranteed to her by that instrument. as
one of the sovereign States forming that
Union. We have been prosperous and
happy people under it thus far, and un-
hesitntingly avow myself in favor of ex-
hausting every legal and constitutional
remedy to secure our rights IN the Union.
Nay, 90 farther and say let all honora-
BILE means fail before we abandon the
last lingering hope of an adjustment oil
our present difficulties. Secession is not
now the remedy, in my opinion. Time
itself may still the angry passions Of the
more excited citizens in the seeding
States, and roll back the wave of fanati
cism and sectionalism which has swept
concessions may be obtained. Already
Kentuckys honored Senator has ofiered
enough on the part of the South, and il
is thought by some that Black Republic
can fanaticism shows some signs of re
turning reason. And |, for one, beliey,
it is due to the conservative men of the
North who have stood by US and battled
for our rights, to the government under
which We have lived IN peace and pros
perity, that the people of Tennessee owe
it to themselves and to the cause of hu
man liberty, to make an earaest and {
unanimous effort to preserve the Union u
the Union. Should we fail, we will have
the proud consolation of knowing that ,
great and powerful government was no
rent asunder by us until all honorable
means for its preservation had failed.
Such, gentlemen, is q very brief out
line of the principles by which shall bc
governed, should | be honored with ,
seat in your Convention. But should al
our hopes of preserving the Union fai
and any act or Ordinance be passed b,
that body, looking or tending to thu
separation of this State from the Union
pledge myself to use all honorable
means in my power to have it submitted
to the people for their ratification or re
lection by majority of the voters of th,
State, with ample time to investigate tn,
} questions submitted for their determine
tion. assume as a foregone conclusion
that Tennessee will not secede unles
f Virginia and Kentucky have both takel
that course, but in the event Tennesse
become disrupted from the United State,
! l would be in favor of her proposing an
/ adopting, as a basis for a future govern
ment, the Constitution Of the Unite
e States, with only such amendments, mad
4 unrepealabie, il need be, as will be mo,
likely to avoid dangers similar to thos
with which we are now surrounded. \
: believe 1t is our duty to stand by th