New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-01-08
THE HON. CAVE JOHNSON on THE CRISIS.

Mr. johnson biz written long letter IN iavor Oi the
Union, of which THE Nashville Banner says:
alt will have great weight with the people Of TOP
nessee. It, auihor has grown gray in the saJ'ee Of
bis country and in all the high and roePonsible pO-i
tons which he has filed hn. ever enjoyed tho conil-
depce ard rerpect Of his Elow-ilizens. In these
tmes the voice of wisdom, speaking from age and
peirnce should be heeded by the people, aud it should
indeed link deep Into their heartr.
In his letter, Mr.. Jobnson says:
If South Carolina rhould 10 abandon her obligation
TO The Union the other States will have the night TO
prevent it, and will do 10 unlees public interest and
public policy shall dictate different course. The
RI, hi TO do 70 ! think unqueslionallc.
"What are we then 70 do If South Carolina viii
aecedel Tie Federal Government will have nothing
20 DO unless attacked by South Csrona. Her Judges,
Attorneys, Marshall, and pos'ipssers may resgn, and
no others may accept the Offers, her own Citizens VIII
BE- tie principal If not the only sufferers make no war
uon her; send troops for her to attack; LEI her
nlster her minute men, under the Palmetto flag, armed
with her Minnie thes, and march up the hill, and
II on march down again. But II in her madness and
folly she shah attack the forte, arsenals or custom
houses belonging to The United Salea purchised with
Ter assent for which large have been expended,
tie toops OF the United States will defend themi II
captured, IL viii be the duty Of the Executive, who
ever he may be 10 retake them, without regard to the
blood or treasure u at may BE- expended The United
States cannot be Justified to stand idly by and mil
lions uf the public property seized and destroyed or
C. Inverted 70 the Of otbera II such an attempt be
made 10 rob the United States Of their property aud
shall bring a civil war with lite authorities, south
Caona will be holden responsible for all the disasters
tba, nay follow and will Justly forfeit the sympathy
and aid Of every orderloying and aw-abiding citizen
Of the country.
As one Of the citizens of Tennessee, prefer trust
inc The interests Of my children, the destnles OF my
country 10 the counsel of tho iiher Of his country
who cautioned with much eoquence and feeling,
in Lis farewell address, ngainst dissolution OF The
IIitH: | Jr.fer 10 obey the command OF our Own II.
lnstrous patriot who told us that the Union OF The
Staes must be preserved must Is the emphatic
woId used by him, and implies command that shall
be ever ready 10 obey.
81 am asked every day what Tennessee ought 10 do
in the present emergency Everything to allay tho Ill
fe ~ and dss pate the prcudces existing between
the different sections Of our country ana thng W
produce harmony and nothing TO excite or disturb H.
We should discouncnance secession, IL greater evil
than nullI6caion II wns only an effort 20 defeat M
at OF Congress by single Stale secersion Il an NJ
dittct move mcnt 10 destroy the Republic rstf We
sIould take council with tsier States, either by
Commissioners selected by the General Assembly, or by
State Convention, called for that special purpose
avoiding any general Convention OF ,he SOUTH
erp States; and if possible, secure harmony III
he South as the best means OF obtaining our
rights ard preserving the Union. IT that cannot be
nceonpli,bed then look 10 amendment of the Con-
stitution for that security and equality TO which we
aIe entitled or presenting the mode ana terms upon
or for forcibly exreling refractory State; but by a
means 10 avoid the shedding OF blood The mt drop
of blood shed may lead TO consequences that the wies
cannot foresee Even ii the States should not H!mpa-
ihize with or give aid to an erring sister, thousands
would flock Ia her standard 10 battle III her behalf re-
gardlss Of the right wrong, and II would ehd III
esoatipQ civil war on our heretofore prosperous ana
happ, country Our Union was formed to avoid DESC
hating wars between coerminons States, winch history
I.cyCt t. lie = fate U. Ill oihe. na.i-- nc - i-ienes