Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-01-30
Letter from Hon. w. II. stokes to his
Constituents.
WASHINGTON. ID. c..
.Ianuarv G21 1851

January I'D, 1861.
To NY CONSTITUENTS The excitement pre-
railing throughout our country. the dangers
that surround US. and the frequent applica-
tons made to me by persons in my district
asking Information and my views in re-
gard to the distracted state of public affairs,
have induced me to address you collectively.
That our country is in a state of revolu-
ton, aud fast tending to dissolution, no one
can deny; and unless some speedy action is
had, final overthrow and destruction seems
inevitable. | do not write you in the way
of dictatiOn, but in spirit OF brOtherly love
and fraternal affection; being identified with
you. in every respect, as an American
citizen.
Now, what is all this difficulty about !
What are the grievances complained of in the
South and. next. what are the remedies pro-
posed by South Carolina and some others OF
the Cotton States?
They complain that Northern men intend
to exclude shareholders from the Territories,
which are the common property of all The
States and. as a remedy for this prospective
grievance, propose to secede and give up the
territories altogether.
They complain land justly, toO,) that some
of the Northern States have violated the
Constitution, by passing acts to impede the
execution of the Fugitive Slave law; and, as
a remedy for this violation on their part
they propose to abolish the Constitution
altogether.
They complain that the Constitution and
laws of the United States are not sufficient
to prevent the abduction of slaves, or secure
the rendition of fugitives; and their remedy
is 10 relieve Northern negro-stealers from
those restraints. and give up all claim ts the
rendition of fugitives.
They complain of the ''undeI ground rail-
~.
Canada and, as a remedy, they propose to
save the cost and trouble of transportation
by virtually bringing Canada down TO the
Ohio river, and the borders OF the slave hold
ing States.
They complain that there is party in the
Northern States which is seeking the over
throw of Southern Institutions and their
remedy is TO drive all other Northern men
into that anti-slayery party.
The complain of the sympathy expressed
| By few nIadmen in the North for John
| Brown; and their remedy is TO remove every
| barrier to the organization of powerful fill
clustering expeditions against slavery on the
very borders Of the slare-bolding States.
They complain that the North is trying Il
surround them by Gordon free States, and
| hem them in Suppose every free State TO
\ day was made a slave State; would not the
| British Provinces and Mexico surround them
Our troubles woald certainly be the same, i
not worse.
In every one of these cases the remedy
| they propose would aggravate the injury be
| yond calculation, though in these particular
il would fall lightly on the Cotton States
Eusconeed, as they are, upon the sea-coast
surrounded by double and triple eircam
valuation of slaye-holding States, they do no
lose one slave by abolition thieves wher,
Tennessee and the border States lose hun
dreds. Ii their remedies were adopted the,
would expose those States to a constant Dor
der war, and the loss Of ten slaves wher,
they now lose one; while the statesmen and
| the rich millionaires might still sleep aaieti,
| in their beds, undisturbed by the increased
| perils and losses bronght on other parties b,
| their mad aud rockies course.
| Ii is uncomfortable, that the evils of which
the South justly complains, inasmuch as they
affect the Cotton States very little, If at all
constitute the real motive with their leadias
men for plunging into a revolution, the ONLY
effect of which, If peaceful and successful
would unquestionabIy be greatly to increas.
the losses and dangers of the other Sfatel
without the least benefit TO their own States
! There is some other motive. not openly avow.
! ed, which stimulates them to take this des
perate plunge. What that motive Is. Ithinl
| l und erstand. $3.50 -
+ ALREADY the Southern men. who expect ID