Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-03-30
SATURDAY, MARCH 80, 1861

SATURDAY, MARCH 60 1851
@ The Union and American, in response
to our request to ..refer us to the article in
which We have opposed the recognition OF
de facso government in the seeded States, or
proposed war upon them, quotes the follow
ing from an article, which We printed on the
18th inst
ssThe Union and American contends that the
paramount question is the recognition OF the
success and Independence Of the secession
movement of the Cotton States, and the Lli-
nor questions incident thereto. We are T0T
kauiua 0iuos remain as then are, in peace. in re-
ference 10 that movement, and making .uI
Their effort 10 restore the Union TO us origi-
nal harmony and integrity
The Union and American had previously
printed the following
.Tbe first. great, overshadowing practical
nnes,ion involving 10 its determination,
5eace or war. is the recognition of the indie
neudsnce of the Confederate States Neces-
sariIy incident to that question are the ques
lions arising out of desire or Intention to
recapture the Southern forts. collect revenue
by land or sea at the Southern ports, force
bills and the like. Fort Sumter may he evacu-
ated and we sincerely hope it will. Fort
Pickens may be abandoned by the Federal
troops. the Administration may not try TO
procure the passage of the force and war
bills, and yet the recognition of Southern In
dependence is the great practical question.
The United States have either TO acknowi-
edge the Southern COnfederacy as an indie
pendent government, or else attempt suoJu-
cation. There il 10 middle ground"
1t was in our reply to this that the passage
above quoted occurred We hardly think
that it would sustain the inference drawn by
our contemporary. standing by itself; but to
show the connection in which II stood as
written, we quote as follows from that ar
ticle:-
GIt is pIaiu that the government cannot be
satisfactorily administered on the policy set
forth ir the Chicago platform. The people
must show that they are determined TO sus-
tain the government with equal and exact
iustiee TO all. We want to give them falr
opportunity to do this On the other hand,
ia is equally plain that il We are TO give up
without question to the secesslOhlsts' inc
Union cannot be sustained and perpetuated
on any basis. A Just and fair compromise
between extreme opinions on both sides Is,
therefore. the only hope Tor the continuance
of the Union under the present Constitution.
1.-The Union and american
contends that the paramount question l. The
recognition of the success and independence
of the secession movement OF Inc lotion
States. and the minor questions incident
thereto. We are for having things remain
as thew are in peace, in reference TO that
movement. and making further effOIt 10 re,
store the Union TO its original harmony and
integrity. Our contemporary takes ior
GRANTED that this is immpOsslOle from the
outgivings of politicians, and We are Tor OF
tainiag The authoritative sense OF the people
on that question. We are for testing the
major proposition, our contemporary discalos
that. and assumes that this Is not the Issue,
but that the Union has already been IRE
trierably dissolved, and the only question Is
whether the independence OF the Cotton
States shall be nOU acknowledged We are
willing the people shall decide between u.s.
The U4ioa and American. in short, asserted
that the paramount question, involving In
its determination. peace OF war, Is the recog-
milton of the Independence OF the Coniede-
rate States: We took issue and cOniended
that such is not the paramount question, but
that going before that was the determination
of the question of the possibility of resto-
ration OF the Union to its original harmony
and integrity. When the time arrives when
in our opinion it is necessary and proper to
treat the question of the recognition OF the
independence OF the '-COnfedeI ate States,
we shall not evade an answer TO it.
In the meantime we prefer to invoke the
people to make an effort to preserve the
Constitution from fanatical violence, and by
Just aud fair aud honorable compromise
10 restore the Union TO what it was when 1t
challenged the admiration of the civilized
world, and secured the love and devotion of
Its blessed people. Beiieyeing that prema
ture recognition of the revolutionary mem-
bers, and making war upon them would each
embarrass that lofty and patriotic effort, we
have thought they were not proper or Deees-
sary subjects for present discussion; but, to
give the most favorable opportunity for the
free exercise of the popular reason and judg-
ment, '.we are for having things remain as
they are, in peace" in reference to the Sc
cession movement. We are for recognising
existing facts, and no more. If such facts,
at any given time, justify recognition of
permaaently severed government, we can
then state and treat them. Events, we must
confess, are tending strongly towards final
dissolution; when that point is reached, all
hope will have expired for its restoration. 1t
is in view of this startling fact, that we have
adjured the American people to unite to-
gether in a struggle against the enemies OF
tba 81 IF no
can creed, nor on the secession concession of
faith-bat on the Constitution as it was Civ
en- to US and with that Interpretation which
gives all citizens political and personal
equality and security.
Texas-Sam. Houston.
The A ustin cOrresnOndent of the 81 %. BE,