Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1861-01-11
CT a r. X WILLIE.
Friday, January Ii, 1891
TEE RICHMOND MEETING.

We are gratiied to see that the great meeting in
Richmond, Virginia, by largcgmajority, declared
the action of South Carolina premature aud impol-
itc. Such rash conduct is not only grossly unjust
to the other Southern States but isrunous to South
CGrolina and reflects most unhvorably upon II cause
that can be rendered patriotic and just only by
showing to the world that there ia no constitutional
remedy for the evils of which we rightfuy com.
plain. As long rs the present Administration holds
sway, there is no excuse for any aggressive meas
ures against the property and laws of HE United
States; and whilst there eau he no reasonable OBJ
lection to preparation by any Southern State, for
the worst that may happen, overt act is ustifa-
bic until all constitutional modes of redress have
been tried, and have failed.
But, Designating all these considerations, South
Carolina first repudiated, with scorn all co-opera
ton, and then went to work to force to her aid the
very States she has insulted. Relying upon gem
erous sympathy and common cause for the support
without which her own mad policy will ruin her
In less than two months she scorns TO counsel with
those upon whom she relies, and strives by means
Of that sympathy to involve the whole South in
fatal strife that wisdom and hrmness may yet avert
Such conduct, so far from enlstihg the sympathies
Of the Southern people, calls for the most unquali-
Ned condemnation as rejecting upon Southern wis
dom and patriotism, and calculated to bring re-
proach upon an otherwise righteous cause Where
was the necessity for Selling Fort Moultrie and
Castle Pinckney7 None existed The President,
with folded arms, was leaving those stronghods to
take care Of themselves refusing to reinforce them
or to take any steps whatever for their defence
though sworn to protect the rights of the United
States. Nor did the movement of Maj. Anderson
afford the slightest ground for any hostile demoS
stration on the part of South Carolina He Mas
placed, as sworn officer, in the charge of those
Forts and then abandoned by the Government
left to rely upon his resources for the protec-
ton Of the handful of men under bis command and
upon hisown judgment to the measures he should
adopt in the face of a phrenzied mob.
Nothing, however, can satisfy South Carolina
that holds out the slightest prospect of saving the
Union, no matter how honorable the terms. 1t is
the fear of such consummation that is hurryng
her into acts lawess and unjustifabc hoping there
by to preciptae the whole South into the vortex OF
civil war ere the sober second thought of the coun-
try can come to the rescue of the Union The mo-
tive is as base rs the object is revolutionary and re-
voting, and, devoted to the rights of the
South, voice shall never be raised in behalf Of
aid and comfort to people regardless OF what is
due to the other slave States so reckless of human
life and the peace and prosperity of thirty millions
Of people. Every goodman is for saving the Unior
desperately wicked are for its dshonorable over
throw. South Carolina rejoiced over the election
of Lincoln because it gave her a pretcxt for sece
ding, and in her proclamation, she gives precedence
20 the tariff amongst the-evils enumcrated-thu
conclusively showing that her secession is the con
summation of purpose long entertained, and grow
ing ont of n cause that has been in active opera
ton for fory-fvc years. She has evinccd her deep
seated malice and puerc hostility by rcpudatn!
national airs for those of revolutionary France
and has annulled the birthday of tina, independepc
which she now so loudly vaunts aud almost ever,
step she has taken is in derogaton of her own dig
nifty and honor and in disregard Of the rights an
wishes of the States which can abode save her from
impending ruin. Such is the record She throw
open for our inspection and upon which she base
her right to lead of in a career of madness and t
bid the whole South to follow. We deny the right
and spurn the dctation, and call upon the sav
States to pursue the path of true wisdom unbiaSse
by false sympathy-to preserve the Union if il ca
be done honorably, and if not, then, as band {
brothers, let them unite for their common satct
and build up a Government worthy of the rcspeC
of all the nations of the earth. South Carolin