Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-01-12


of the government, which would inevitably
follow, would disgrace US in the eyes of the
whole civilized world. e.
Let not Tennessee then secede. 1t yon,d
be cowardly to do it. 1t would be like sur
rendering a mans castle to robber upon
the first onset, when the first gun was fred;
or like the true heir being driven from his es-
tate who hadn't the courage to defend it.
Nor would secession be remedy for any
grievance under which We labor. 1t would
not restore our fugitive slaves, bat rather af
ford increased facilities for their escape. 1t
would not give us greater access TO the Ter
ritories with our slaves; but it would enable
the North by their increasing population and
the constant immigration from the old world
sooner to possess them all. 1t would not stop
the abolition raids, nor the thousand other
annoyanees under which we labor, but would
increase them. Besides, we should be involv-
ed in Border Wars, and questions would be
continually arising between us and the ex
treme Southern States, which are now loom
ing up in the distance in regard to the COL
lection OF the revenue, whether by duties and
imposts, or direct taxation, the re-opening
of the African Slave Trade, &C., which might
be as agitating and embarrassing perhaps as
those under which We at present labor;-not
to speak of the immense expense of carrying
on the new government after it was formed
But still the time has come when new
guarantees should be demanded within the
Union, and we believe that demand would
not be in vain. Let the united voice of the
South go up from a general Convention of
the Southern States-of Virginia, the mother
of Presidents and statesmen, that gave that
domain to the North-west--of
the Old North State and their daughters
Kentucky and Tennessee-of Maryland and
Missouri and others that have not seeded,
demanding their equal rights in the Union,
by an amendment of the Constitution, and
this appeal would probably be successful.
The Northern States are beginning to see
rom the commissions they have brought up
On the Union, that the pillars of their own
material prosperity are beginning to trem-
Die and must soon fall, unless these difficult
lies are settled; and that they cannot
prosper Independent of the South. While
.he Southern States are waking up to the
great truth that they have more of the ele-
nents of flourishing nationality within
themselves than any other people the sun
ever shone upon. They could speak there
ore with confidence to the North and would
De heard.
What these guarantees should be, need not
,e particularly indicated. Amid the thou
and plans that have been proposed by the
blest men, the writer would not have the
'anity to suggest a new one. The Constitution
tself was founded upon compromise, and
therefore, extreme opinions are not likely to
ind favor.
The plan of adjustment proposed in Mr..
resolutions to be adopted by
mendments to the Constitution would have
zen satisfactory to the South in 1850, and
s we believe it ought to be SO again; and
Eould in all probability be accepted by the
North whenever the question can be directly
resented to the people of those States. The |
ublic are SO familiar with these resolutions
is not necessary to dwell upon them at
ength. The principal one is in regard TO
he Territories, extending the line of the |
lissouri Compromise of Sc 80 to the Pacific, |
,aking all the territory South of that line |
lave territory, not to be interfered with by |
congress, and to be protected as property |
y the Territorial government during its |
ontinuance; and that all territory North of |
nat line shall be free territory; but whether |
Torth or South of that line to come in when |
,rming State Constitution with or without |
avery, as it may think proper.
This we suppose would secure to Southern |
lstitutions most if not all the territory that |
ON soil and climate would be suitable to |
ave labor. Nor could it be reasonably OBJ
cted to by the North, for it would be get
ng much the larger portion Of the terri
ny.
The other proposed amendments prohibit |
ongress from interfering with slavery in |
lie States where it exists-from abolishing |
avery in places under its exclusive jurisdc-
on in the slaveholding States-and in the |
istrict of Columbia so long as it exists in |
irginia and Maryland or either-nor with
1T the consent of the inhabitants-nor with
ut just compensation-and from interfering |
the transportation of slaves from one |
tate to another, or to territory where slaves
e held. Another article makes more au-
lie provision in reference to fugitive slaves,
nd provides that no future amendment |
lall affect these articles, nor that provision
the Constitution in regard to the basis of
nor the one in regard to fugi-
We slaves, nor shall any amendment be
ade which will authorize Congress to inter-
re with slavery in any of the States where
may be allowed. These amendments we
ink if they shall be made to the Constitu-
on, would afford ample security to the slave
,lding States.
But if neither these nor other sufficient
larantees be obtained, then let Tennessee,
ting in concert with the other slaveholding
ates, but each State in separate conven-
ons, declare the government dissolved, and
oceed to its reconstruction. A united
,uth or even the slaveholding border States
lth Tennessee and North Carolina, could
ace themselves upon basis without the
ghtest danger of collision of arms, that |
ould secure all their rights in the recon-
ruction of the government, or the estab-
hment of new confederacy. Such con-
deracy yielding equal rights to the South
d North, with the old Constitution for its
sis yyouId soon mite in IL all the ofbor |
ates except those of New England; and if
ey could be merged into Canada. where
ey rigbtfully belong. it would be ga con-
deyoutly to be wished"
Gallatin, Jan. 1851. j. J. WHITE.
Tribute of Respect.
Ii meeting of the Sons Union ~ composed of |
mbers Of the several Divisions Of Sons of Temper
,e in Nashville and vicinity, held at their Hail. JAM
~ 9th, 1851, tr. John Henry Currey was called TO
Chair, and James Zachary chosen Secretary The