Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-12-22
NASHVILLE, SENATE CHAMBER, J
December 20, 1861. I
Gen. ". C. WHTTHoRKE-

Gen. ". Y. MHITTHoRHE- -se.. -t=-7
Dear Sir Yours of Dscember Is, 1861, in reply
to yerbanquires to the authority conferred upon
Confederate officers to deprive citizens of any other
arms thar those mentioned in the recently amended
militia law, was handed to me to-day, and in reply
can say that although / have rot. sven privately
been informed Of any specific violstiye or oppres-
sive administration Of the law, such may
have occurred. but if 80, ana satisfied that
it has been done with out the cognissnce
of the Executive, and l have no doubt that
'ia his administration of the law his
excelIeney Gov. Harris, has endesYored TO avoid
mskirg 1t an instrument of distinction between his
fellow-ctizsns; and as | concur fully with you in
your earnest desire for our internal peace, and q
united effort by all lawful means to meet the enc
my in his advance, and meet him successfully, I
avail myself Of this opportunity to address myself
briefyto .l .r o-.f
TIE People OF HE FIRST SENATORIAL DISTRICT.
To them would respectfully say.
At the beginning Of the contest between the tive
great sections of The late Federal Government a
majority of the people Of East Tennessee honestly
entertaining the opinion that it was their duty to
maintain the integrity of the Union and the spirit
and letter Of the Constitution formed q political
organization for the purpose of ef;cting these
objects. --.
they promulgated the doctrine that to the gov
ernment which afforded them protection, they owed
the duty of allegiance They still have hoped, al
most against hope, that something would occur to
restore the amlcabe relations heretofore subsisng
between the sections.
Time has demonstrated that this hope is delusive
The Union TO which we were devoted ia no more.
That sacred instrument, we were so ardently de
Tending, hiss ceased TO be regarded by the govern
ment of the United States, and no longer afJrds
protection to life, liberty and property
Without further action we are left in false DO
sition. The Union, we wished to save is lest TIE
Constitution, We were struggling to maintain, is
violated We were all assured that whenever il
became the avowed purpose of the North to abol~
sh the institution of slavery, division among South
ern citizens would cease. This fell purpose now
stares US in the face, and we hesitate no longer.
Two distinct nGtoIalities Struggling IN mortal
combat and the rosr Of the battle is in cur ears
The shouts of cur brethren come from the fight So
II serried columns they are hurled upon the fee
Our fate lie with them, our hearts must be- Then
let US forget, the past. Let personal differences
and local anmOsities be buried in one common
grave. Let us swear with our brethren of the
South upon one common altar. Let US march By
their side in one common cause. Let US meet the
hordes that would destroy Us and drive them from
our border. Thus val we keep war from our
fre-sides, snd safety for cur wives and children
Let US in public meetings, or in such forms as you
will ayoW these sentiments TO the world and unless
am deceived it will send one universal thrill of
patriotic JOY through the great heart of the South
and secure 70 peace st home,
respectfully,
Wa HENHT MAXWELL