Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-09-15


net expect hereafter 20 have. And if sach shou
Re the case, it could but result in discord aud i
deliberations be anything than satisfactory to Ii
church eFfor the edioatioH of It's members. Tn
deiiveranee being in error, it cannot be suppose
that it will be- yet materially modified by the cor
) serystiVe element among eur Northern bre hrer
And while We grant there are many eonssrvsiv
members in the Northern branch Of our church, v
can lock in the future for no rene iy which tim
and discussion may produce. This we regard q
quietus with which IN our experience we have bee
deceived We are assured that time can so &C
upon the settled convictions Of men, confirmed b.
decisive purpose and action, as 10 change thes
Vieas Experiences has only deepenea those con
viutios 8 and evidenced the breach. which has il
feeling existed for so many years. So grest is tn
! responsibility OF many CT the NOrther ehurche
i generally for the commencement Of The trOuble
which stiet The country, sad so deeply they in
4 volVej in its continuance that we might sssum,
the Continuance or cessation Of hostiiitiss 10 b,
much dependent on their setion. Thus do theJ
present ths very singular snopaiy Of ehristisI
/ people sidirgau sbeiing murder and rapine-anG
the followers the Prince Of Peace mitigating and
! supporting bloody, aggressive var.
The article 10 which we have referred, and the
course of those who adopt its views, peculiarly
unfortunate. The editor is q gentleman OF high in
te lectdal attsinwents, and 9ns WaOm We have been
accustomed to revere. As Southerner, resident
upon bis native heath, We had expected from him
something better. We do not wish 70 say that he is
either ignorant Of the circumstances with which We
are surrounded, the grounds of our complaint the
right Of our redress, and the means used TO effect
our emancipation from the tyranny OF an anssrupi-
lOus Administration, or that he is untrue to our
peace and the principles Of civil and religious Ebrr-
ty, for which we contending But with kind
regard for that respeeE which is due 10 him, Ns
must cay that having several times admitted his
want o. Information the subject we are ready "
RlloW the force Of the statement
Tsis waat Of Information, as above stated may
be apparent when we consider its statements with
regard to the IiCH g,nt N al being in the aseenc
ency in this section of the country; and also that
the uDionists among citizens were "cFuelly OPP
pressed and sIleDeed, by reign OF Terror which
it attempts to make appear as existing among us -
These staten 8 are clearly at variance with
the fact that there greater harmony of senti-
ment sad freedom of suffrage among as than A.
any previous time exhibited-snd in this State, 8
larger popular vote than ever before pOlled.-
lite information aud ideas respecting also the sent
meat and duty of our brethren in Kentucky, ars
nri, definite nor in accordance with It's former
expressed in letter 10 the present Seere-
tsry Of State of the Federal Government. hope
is expressed ~ this article for rscOnstruetion OF
the Union, with the belief thst s'the whole South
has had great cause Of dissatisfaction and that the
citizens of Ken uoky (in,luding himself) "dO not
feel free to take part in the against the Con
federste States :"-still 1t urges that the war
should progress as ''SOLs1SH necessity" and then
leads the Federal Army through Ga perfectly prae
ticsbe military roule"-'otO the very heart Of
the inland secession country"
We see no necessity" FIR such war. The ~
construction referred to. cannot axe il necessary
to "bloOiy guiltiness" such IS Is here exhibited
Nor could there Re reeonstrueton" of that broth
erly love and mutual confidence, which must be
the cemeut of our bond Of uhiou. 1t may be sol
emn, but unnecessary. Il may be s'sOlema" TO see
our country, It's insi utiOns and guarantees saeri-
f sed 10 ambition and hate. 1t may be fsOlemn" to
see brother srrsyed in deadly strife against broth
er, and father against son. l. may be 'sOemR" 10
hear the cry of that bTOther's blood ascending 10
Him Whe has said vengeance is mine, / will repay.
Ii may be ''solemn" 10 stsn to the requiem of the
dead ss'tbey cut doEn in the MERIDIAN of lifs,
Aud it may be 'solemn" to hear the despairing
moan Of mothers, brothers, aud loved ones, in
cries for him who had been offered
upon the sltar Of despotsm oppose the cruelty Of
q relentless foe But they will all pass from be-
tween the folds ofthe banners OF civil aud religious
liberty as incense heaven from the offerings Of
freedom upon the funeral hymn Of q cruel and ma
lignant despotism. We do act owe il to the tyrant
I'VE do not owe it to our eountry-We do not owe
it to religion, humanity and justice.
The statement Of the article may he apparent
when we consider its statements with regard to the
South 1t hoda that the course of conduct per-
sued by the SJutl, hiss been characterized By that
"a madness" which was exhibited at the lombard
ment Of Sumter; that our regulations for defense
are to be compared to the ''OOds Of MOh omet
that the Federal Executive was bound TO act as it
has aud also thtt should he put into the hands
Of the unionst of the South The success of such
a statement must necessarily result in civil and
suryile war. With these q Emancipation" and
So Subiugation {" would be their war cry, and their
IN D. fires, sach lit up D3miugo. We quit the
article Of the DsRviIle Quarterly RsVis0, with
person respec, and reverence tor its editor but in
ieep regret for the evil consequence of it's curse
Il becomes fully to canvass in all their bearings
he resolutions referred to and the course adopted
BY some OF our Northern brethren in sustaining the
Federal Administration
l. By reviewing the principles and endorsing the |
course Of &C ion referred to- they become identified
herewith, and are responsible for Their results They
'eLder themselves responsible for part of their
bitter feelings relentless persecution, aud diaboi
,al conduct which have been maintained st the |
North Whatever fatal consequences may result |
b erefrom, they presumed TO have been Intended
ly their action, and they responsible therefor.
Such is the legitimate construction which must be
put upon their acts And We cannot, by retaining |
,ur connection with them, become paTtiesps eraiis
n their acts with their many fatal consequences. |
The tendency OF people in revolution, TO adopt |
hn views snd follow the fortunes of their leader,
nay terminate into charges upon the fundamental /
principles of Government antagonistc TO their for
ner republican institution With the tenets Of |
religion made subservicnt the INSCRIPTIONS pur-
poses o. State policy, We would have our religious
liberty lost IN 9 civil disposition. And the results
If iDquestionable slaughter could COLOUR the trail
If the dsspot and the conscience Of free peO
pie cover at his approach
The Church would thereby be involved in the
decision of important political issues la this is in
Folved that principle fatal to religious liberty
the union of Church and State free church
and free people exist together. The destiny
Of the church being By It's 5, cast into that
Of the State, may result in the oTsrthroE Of It's
freedom of conscience aud action. These resOlu-
lions even passed in the General Assembly, under
he expressed sanction of functionaries high in the
E ecutive Department Of the Federal Aiministrs-
ton. We have seen the evils resulting from this
connection, which existed in the church from the
time If Constantine to the Reformation of the six
teenth century. The church ia its connection with
the civil power, has been readily crsmped in ITS
action, and tempOrising in its purpOsts. Such the
doctrine disclosed in the confession of Augsburg,
and such the results of christian experience.
Our strongest ssnsidiIiiss of right AID justice
thereby yielded 20 the deliVerances by q sect Of
partisdRs Our prayers and sympsthies are hereby
pledged TO he success Of party Our gn5oi snces
cannot be limited oy the doctrines and command
ments of NEIL" Such was the teachings of our
Savior and his Apostles the faith Of church, and
the experience Of christians Such the doctrine
which gave birth 10 the Reformation of the sixteenth
century, AID such the resolves upon which was based
great Protest which gave freedom 10 the church.
If we shall hive the enets Of faith controlled by
men infatuated upon O1e idea, and new tests Of
membership forced upon US, We must tender our
most solemn protest, regardless Of all earthly con-