Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-04-14
ARTICLES TAXED.
lsTATEI DIST. / TOTAL.
Tne Issne-Freadom or nesnotIan

The issue now is pretty much the same that it
was IN 'I6, between government resolved on des-
potism and people determined on freedom. Lord
North at that time very solictous to ascertain
whether or not there was a Government, and in
pursuit of his inquiry fleets and armies to this
continent Mr.. Lincoln, and his associates, appear
equally intent to prosecute the same investigation
and in all human probability, they viii reach re-
suit equally satisfactory. General Washington and
the brave men who co-operated with him gratified
his Lordships curiosity, in a manner which Mr.
Jefferson Davis viii not be slow in employing to
tighten Mr.. Lincoln.
We have heard it said, and the expression of such
opinions in leading journal would seem to confirm
the assertion, that all knowledge of free Govern
ment was lost in the Northern States. They appear
to have receded hundred years, and embraced the
the exploded doctrine of the Divine right of Kings
for, in their sense, Government is but another
name for King The will of the people is nothing
the Government is every thing. Now, we had
supposed, that if there was any one principle dis
tinctly, emphaticslly. and by universal consent
tabshed by the great struggle of '76, it was, that
Government rested on the consent of the governed,
was fer their benefit, and could be abolished "at
their own free wili' and pleasure. It was for this
principle the war was fought, and by its successful
close this principle which has cheered the hearts of
the oppressed of all nations, was vindicated. We
never heard the fact cOntroverted before. We re-
garded it as an uncontested and incontestible and
confessed Of all men and schooboys throughout the
civilized world. Even in the Virginia Convention,
where no proposition not selfevident, can escape a
carping criticism when put to the vote, not a mur-
mur of dissent was uttered against it. 1t was pro-
noGnced emphatically "the American principle" II
is the distinguishing feature of our institutOns-the
very cornerstone of our political fabric.
For asserting this principle, the most precious in
the political annals of mankind the Southern people
are threatened, as their fathers were threatened
with fire and sword. They shall not exercise the
great right which their ancestors won for them Of
abolshing tyrannical and oppressive government
but at the hazard Of determination. This is the
avOwal of those who speak by authority.
The issue thus presented assumes portentous
proportions. and involves great struggle between
freedom and despotism. The mere incidental ques-
ton of African slavery disappears from the scene,
and the old fight, which has ragged for ages between
the oppressor and the oppressed, is to Be renewed
with increased fury. The issue is distinctly posed
The people Of Virginia, we know, won their free
dom and independence without the assistance Of q
Northern arm. This fact was asserted by BENJAMIN
Harrison of Herkely in the Virgins Convention Of
49, five years after the close Of the Revolution and
in the presence of assembly, contsmporarias and
witnesses Of the truth he affirmed. While Virginia
bones whitened every battlefield from Charleston
ed not the aid Of man from the Northern States.
We had been the first TO establish written eonsti-
tuition and free government, and without Yankee
aid we exterted acknow wledgement Of Il from the
King OF Great Britain. We hope il comports with
becoming modesy, If we venture to express the
belief, that sovereignty thus won from the most
powerful empire in the world may be successfully
maintained against any craft or force. which any
Power may array against it. The conflict NAV be
arduous-but the result cannot be doubtful.-Rich-
mond Wig.