Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-04-02
Recognition OF the Independence OF
the Confederate States.

make this recognition, and he suggests,
doubtfully, that perhaps Congress aud the
President would be justified in exercising The
poorer, although he does not claim that it
would be within their constitutional authori-
ty. Whether the right of Secession By a
State il admitted OF not, there is certainly no
warrant in the Constitution for its reeogni-
lion by the Union or The remaining States,
and it is powerful argument against the
constitutionaIity of the doctrine of Seces-
sion that nothing is stated in the Constitu-
ton On this subject
If. then, there is no constitutional power
in the Legislative, Executive or Judicial de-
partments of our Government. to recognize
the Independence of the Confederate States.
can, or ought, we to adopt the suggestion of
Mr. STEPHENS 80 eIereise The POarT tclLhouf any
ris0Eafsl alaaority If our Federal Government
was absolute and only limited by its own
laws, it would be easy TO avoid any difficult
ty. by enacling laws appropriate to the oeca-
sion; but as the Government can only right
fully exercise such powers as are delegated IN
the Constitution aud all Others are reserved,
we do not understand how it is possible for
us deliberately to violate the charter OF our
Freedom. g
We certainly ought not to be asked by
Secessionist to commit this outrage. or adj
view Of tie s d de- soi and, more especially Ia
wards Tennessee and her present position In
the Union. They refused TO consult with Us
before their secession. declined making any
Joint effort to save the Union. and although
protected flor time at leasD by majorities
in Congress and on the Supreme Bench, they
would not wait would not listen to any ar
gun,ent; and left us in minority in Con-
gress. and in serious danger of change in the
organization of the Supreme Court Now,
then. when zee are thus reduced to weakness.
by the acts of SscessiOnists, our flank unc0yered,
and our chief or only security rigid con-
struction of the Constitution without amplif-
cation or loose construction of its powers,
shall We advise or assist in a deliberate vio-
Iation of our Constitution in order to give
immediate peace andsecurity to the Confed-
crate States. --'.-5. 81 - i
This is We submit, asking too much of US,
and the true answer to those who ask US
whether we are in favor of a recognition, By
Congress or the President, of the independence
of the Confederate States, is. it cannot be
done constitutionally and, until it can be so
done. we cannot entertain the question !
This view of the matter, however, does not
settle the whole question, for there can be no
doubt that National Convention could
easily entertain and rightfully dispose of the
subject. and If such a Convention could be
procured, and no amendments, satisfactory
TO the people of the seeding States, could
be passed, then it would be right and proper
for the remaining States, in. Convention, TO
provide for a peaceabie separation on such
terms as were fair and reasonable.
= We are ailaware how difficult it is to pro-
cure Convention, and any ratification Of
amendments, owing to the concurrence of so
large q number of the States being requisite,
either to call Convention, or finally to per
feet the amendments agreed upon in Conven-
ton. This obstruction to action on any
measure favorable to the Southern States, is
nos greatly increased by the detection of the
seven seeding States. If they do not join in
the call for Convention, and the vote on
ratification, we shall have to procure the as
sent of almost the whole number Of Free
States in order to make our action valid.
The seeding States may even be counted
against Is in the vote for Convention, and
on the ratification. and we could more easily
of thoir indaran-
dence if they had been simple Territories
instead of sovereign States in the Union.
How, then, can the peaceabie recognition OF
the Confederate States be procured, and in
what way only can Union man in Tennes-
see be asked to aid or favor the recognition!
Let them unite heartily in call and vote
for National Convention aid us and them
selves in procuring any reasonable amend
ments of the Constitution and, then, if
their people were still unsatisfed land de-
sired a separate Confederacy, they could we'll
ask and urge Oil men of all parties, North
and South, to permit them to go in peace,
and have no further connection with this
Union.
There is no reasonable ground for urging
that by this course they might be forcibly pre-
vented from secession. The plausible ground
now used foe the idea of coercion. is almost
wholly based on the fact that no Convention
of all the States has yet been called, and
that secession is unconstitutional Few
men, North OF South, would be hardy
enough, after a session of a National Con-
venton, and the voluntary withdrawal of
seven States, on account of its unsatisfactory
result, to insist on their being compelled, by.
force or injustice, to remain in the Union.
Ninety out of every hundred men in both
actions of the UEion, would then advocate
the recognition of their separation and ami
cabls relations with them in future.
Inasmueh, as they have only formed Pro-
yisional Government, and are yet in a
chrysilis state, there would be no political
CONFUSION consequent upon this concession.
IT would check the ambition and destroy
the prospects of many aspiring cormorants
who have already fastened themselves on the
yitais of the new State; but it would not in
lure the material interests of the masses Of
the people. ~ - = z -
Looking at all the usual motives of pride,
vanity and selfshness. which ordinarily influ-
euce the conduct of men, We can hardly in
duige any confident hope that the seeding
States will participate either in call for a
National Convention, or in its deliberations,
and they will boldly assert that they do not
ask the aid of the Border Slave States in
procuring the recognition of their independ-
enee. that they have taken their position and
are ready to maintain it, by reason or force
of arms. We, of course, could have no con-
troversy with them on this subject; but if Sc
cessionists in Tennessee urge us to declare
aur rieus we can and auobt In answer