Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-03-08
Tn. Infatuated admiuis,ra.,on

AT the breskinz out of the American Revolution,
nothing short of actual trial ct coercion by the
British Government. could convince it that a peo-
lee able and determined 20 take their rank as
an independent nation, were uDconQusrables Par
liameutsry ofHcias pointed to the laws of England
and the legal enactmepts with reference TO the colo
Mes and then introduced coercion under the guise
Of self defense and reinforcing the laws" They
always looked upon the cOlonists ss sggressors,
simply because they confounde1 whole peoples
nsliensbls right with fscous resistance TO whole
seme authority. Notwithstanding tho familiarity
of American people with the story of their olsen
thralment the dominant Northern party seem just
a. much infatuated with the charms Of unlimited
D wer as was ever Lord North or George III. They
If ct to treas the Southern movement as disturb
amos by an unprincpled and fckle rssble. They pat
l. eoln forward TO say that the laws must be exc
eut.a even among q people VITO have in presence
f tse world renowned alegiaucs to them, just as
h. British statesnen, In 1776, declared thattte
laws Of Esgiand must be executed throughout the
realm sad its dependencies. 1t is this striking
similarity Of political device thai renders the late
inaugural the more inexcusable We, of this ooun-
try for three-fourtbs of century, have been pub
fishing TO the world abroad and intoxicating at home
the right Of people to govern themselves, and yet
when community of people thrice as numerous
and incslculably more wealthy and powerful than
the American colonies in the time OF the hsyoulon,
declare for their independence, the Admin
track Of coercion and tyranny. Infatuated with
fanstioism and with the pride of success in
their struggle for official power, they 60 hesdlOng
into the qualification of their mHiee, soothing their
OWE consciences meanwhile by twaddIe about the
public property and the collection Of the revenue.
They do sot seem to stop and remember thst to
collect the revenue and hold the property IN the
mode they propose, will cost many times what they
are both worth, in addition 10 the ruin spread
through the country from this caase. Bat since
everything in their power has been done by those
opposed TO this insane course aud the propriety of
peaceful SEPARATE demonstrated hundred times
10 every one OF the Southern States an impartial
world VIII net fail TO who are the sggressors
III the NORTH sends forces 20 occupy Tie forts in the
seeded states, and sends war ships 10 collect the
revenue belonging justly 10 the Confederate
states as the duties collected at New York belong 70
United States treasury, who, il such case are Ibs
sggressors? 1t is mere metaphysical trick a. COZ,
that the right Of secession is not recognized. ard
therefore the old eutboritiis must have their aid
control This great Republic itself is a practical
contradiction beth theory of the inaugural and t
the wisdom Of its execution. The prospect now il
that the old heroic days will have to be repeated 10
keep fresh in the minds Of msn thsir right govern
themselves Lincoln bsrely alludes 10 the possible
ity that current evests may render change in his
course necessary; that is, he may become more
varl;ke or be may recognize the new Southern ma
tionality. He looks TO his party and to Seward
they are both supposed to justify him thus far
Memphis Enquirer. /.