Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-01-22

We learn from the Bonner that at a meeting held
at the Court House on Saturday night last the fol-
m lowing resolution was passed:
Resolved, That act of the Convention Of Tennes-
see which is not submitted to the people, to be de-
cided by them at the baot-box shall bind us: that
will form ourselves into companies, and resist
all such by force of arms
We are not surprised that those who favored this
resolution should be willing to remain under the
protecting care of NM. II. SEWARD. The New York
Senator regarded the head and front of the Red
Republicans who believe in the Higher Law doc
trine. Never within the history of Tennessee has
there been such an attempt dictate to the people
OF whole State what shall be done. 1t was out
rage that will have but little effect in drifting the
Convention. No Nashville meeting has the power
to force Davidson-county by threats, much less it
has the power to tell the people of other counties
what their Representatives shall do.
The little county of Johnson, though lying amid
the Blue Mountains Of East Tennessee will pay but
little respect to the threats of armed resistance
which this Nashville meeting has promulgated We
shall favor the submission of the ordinance to the
people provided there is not such state of hos
titieS then existing to render it unnecessary and
impractcable. The Legislature has said in the Con-
vention act:
" That ordinance resolution which may be
adopted by said Convention, having for its object
change of the position relation of this State TO
the National Union, or her sister Southern States
shall be of any binding force effect until it is sub
united 10, and ratified and adopted by majority of
the qualified voters in the State, taking a basis
the vote cast in the last election for Governor and
members of the General Assembly"
The Legislature has no right to say what the Con
vention shall or shall do The Convention COM
ing from the people, superior to the Legislature,
or any town meeting E,rtr
II this Nashville meeting had passed resolution
expressing its opinion that the Convention ought to
submit its action to the vote of the people it would
net have been Objectionable But when they go
further and declare if the convention de not follow
their dictates they will form themselves into COM
panies and resist all such acts by force Of arms
they proclaim themselves ready to play the part of
rebels and traitors the State of Tennessee, and
gueh they will be dealt with, should they attempt to
n carry out their programme, unless LINCOLN and
" Eeward give them help enough to subugate the
loyal sons of the State. We know not what
Convention may dc, but this know that whatever
Il may do, it is duty to obey its mandates.
If cannot aw-abiding citizens, do so,
will expstriRte ourselves will go to a State
whose laws can obey We States Rights in
doctrines. We believe in State sovereignty and are
opposed 70 Federalism and consolidated despotism
in every manner. shape and form. .s -. .
ID s Let the higher law of the city of Nashville
begin to organize We want the people Of Davidson
an county and the people of the whole State to know
who they are that think they dictate to East
West and Middle Tennessee by threats of armed
force what shall be done by the Representatives of
the wholespeople