Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-12-04
From the Banner Of yesterday.
The Call for the Militia

The Call Tor the Militia
It is well known to the readers of this paper that
we have never been very ardent advocate of Gov.
Harris or his measures. But all the Gov. HAIRLESS
in christendom could not swerve US enc inch from
a plain path of patriotic duty. When Gov. Harris
is right we would as soon support his measure, as
though it emsnated from another source. In word,
Gov. Harris is but single man-our Chief Execu>
tive it is true, but after all mertal like the rest
Of us-and when he is right, we are with him, just
as we are against him when he is wrong. This is
our position fair and square, And it is the only pos
siton of honesty and patriotism, for faithful pub
lie journalist especially 10 time of war.
We therefore feel no Iaclination to take sdvan-
teee of every little bew-woW which sssails one
from whom We have eonscicntiously differed and
whom we have honestly fought
We alIude to the murmurs, which we have heard
with pain and regret, against the active prepare
tons now going en- to Pepe invasion, and defeat the
invader. Such expressions can do no good, and
may do much hsrm. They are calculated only to
check and choke the speedy action Of call, whose
motives this is time to asssil and whose opera
tons cannot be suspended. They are unwise, to
say the least Of them, and, we feel assured, will
cease, when q small share of reason and reflection
is brought to bear upon them.
To-day the city of Nashville stands I'm more
danger than some of its citizens seem to imagine.
A powerful army, collected from Eastern Virginia.
Western Virginia and the Western States; knocks
at our outer wall. Our entrance is projected by
two main gate ways, defended each by a strong
force at Columbus and Bowling Green. Against
those two points the emmy is about to precipitate
couple of hundred thousand men, in separate di-
visions. Gen. Halleck commands the first, and Gen
Buell. the second. Both are represented as able and
experienced officers. Ia view of these advances :,
Gen. Johnston has called upon the Governor of Ten
nessee in connection with the Governors of othe r
State for such Rumber of reinforcements, and st
such short notice, as will allow no time or delay
for the slow prOce Of volunteering. The Gov
erDor, accordingly, has issued his requisition,
calling thirty thousand of the militia into the field
to defend their homes and affairs. The drums are
now beating response, and the muster is in rapid
progress.
This is plain, concise statement Of the case.
1t is sufficient for us to know that borders are
invaded our territory endangered, and our State
Capital imperilled. There can be but one course
for uS. No patriot can stand clubbing and cav
ing, when the foe is so near at hand with fire and
sword.
Our house is on fre, and our first duty is to put
out the flames. 1t will be time enough to settle our
account with Gov Harris, if we have any to settle
when the crisis 10 over and the dwelling secure
Within the last fortnight we have endeavored with
all the energy of our SOUL to impress upon the PEG
pie the Importance of unity, harmony, and purpose
at this trying period. We have endssvored to
show with all our ability, the urgent need of cour
age and union of heart aad sentiment, and to ex
hibit the emergency OF the occasion in its true col
rS,
| have concealed nothing. We have closed our eyes
to nothing. We have deluded ourselves, nor de-
ceived our readers, with false hope or vain il
fusion. Ceaselessly, persistenty, we have tried tC
demonstrate the clear and unaterable fact that the
crisis of our fate, as a nation and people, comes
daily upon US, with almost Overwhelming force
If we meet it, we have said over and over again
like patriots and men, with sword and gun il
hand on our frontier, and repel it, safe FOL
ever and ever
The crisis draws nearer andnearer. The drum
and tramplings of the enemy echo deeper and deep
er in our territory. The day and the hour are
here. The brave sons of Tennessee, advised of i
by the press and their own sense, at length off
eialy notified of it. They are invoked to lay aside
for little, the comforts of home to defend the hon
or sanctity and security of home. Will they pause
| Will they waver? VIII they stop to whine sbou
the why, the wherefore, when their rifles should
be ringing defiance in the enemy's ear, and the
fash of their swords should he binding his eye
Is it, ask in Gods name, and with all the Eolem
Eity of intense conviction, a time to handy words
about techncslities to seek for faults inconsisten
cies and flaws, to quarrel among ourselves, wheth
er or not we should have been allowed to volunteer
instead of being drafted? We have all chance tC
volunteer If like, and if il is ssary for the
safety Of our fresides and household goods that eT
] cry man, woman and child in Tennessee ahal
shoulder arms in their defence, we say, God speed
the order which shall proclaim the necessity.
No, no, Thousand times, no, with al wraDging
and contention. Let US sheath our tongues anC
unsheath our swords. We can settle up all ouI
srudges when we have whipped the enemy, like
hound from our soil, sending him yelpIng to hi
kennel. Let Us keep our wrath-if wrath we havt
| for the foe.
Tennesseans, come out; out Of the hills and thu
dales, with Gods blessing resting upon your brATt
hearts; out armed and uplifted with the strength
and sinews of holy purpose and q sacred spirit
out, as your fathers did before you in the days o
/ Jackson and Armstrong, and Carroll; out, with
bound and burst, which shall scattsr and disms,
every assault; out, in your might and your right
for the assertion of your feedom, the protection
your soil, and the sanctity Of those fair women
your wives your daughters and your sweetheart
who will watch your gong with the prayers Of an
| gels, and welcome your return with open heart
| and arms.