Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1861-02-15
Fer the Chronicle.
" Passing Events"

an, in your last Issue, refends 10 nuayze the view
Of passing events we published in the Chronicle Of
Goth ult. This, we consider a right possessed by
every freeman. But, he endeavors to show that we
did not abuse the North sufficiently to meet his
standard by neglectng to bring into notice all the
little personal mprecations and conflicts of individ-
uas, thereby magnifying mole hills into mountains,
and placing them by the siie of offensive egisla-
tive enactments And therefore, he very grstuit.
ouusly undertakes the attempt to finish for us what
he no doubt believes to be botched job, for he |
saws of US al propose to aid him in this by ref
erence to history We have heard of novice,
who began to make horse shoe he heated and
ham the iron alternately often that he lost
sight Of the design, and Of nearly all the metal it.
self until necessity suggested the possibility of ma
king horse shoe ndlt, And altho we believe that
his structures intended to enlighten our pathway
yet also believe that he has completely benight-
ed his own, and placed himself in position which
does not need the trouble Of any one to show that
he has unfortunately got his own foot in the mire.
However, as we have but little else to do, we shall
endeaver TO throw some light on the premises laid
down. First He says that American Citizen "
finds nothing against the North, save their personal
liberty bills, and disposition to drive from the
territory" As be is kind enough to aid us with
modern history, we reciprocate by aiding him with
what we call ancient history;
We ask every one who is in the least conversant
with the history of our country, has not the dispo.
siton of the North TO drive from the territories
been the foundation of all the unhappy differences
which distract our common country Has il not
been the bone of contention for half a century
Did it not shake the very basis which the Gov
eminent stands, in 1920, which was Only settled by
the Missouri Compromised Again il raised its de-
formed head in $3.50 and required all the patri-
otism of the Nation to subdue it. Did not the pas
sage of the Kansas Nebraska Bill in 1854, open
afresh the cid wound and blood ran forth BY fra
ternal hands on American soil? And is it necessary
to add that at this very moment, the terrific
rial question has been Che lat least ostensbly)
of whole country reeling TO and fro heaving up
like mighty volcano, all the ills that flesh is heir
TO- secession of States the National flag insuled and
torn down, Commerce and manufactures paralyzed,
social ties sundered, and in some localities, reign
of terror existing and rapidly accommodating BIZ pre-.
cipitating communities into what is called revolu-
ton? Threatening clouds have for months been
hanging over big with the fate of this once hap
Ply and prosperous Nation, gazed at with amazement
and alarm by the civilized world, Causing not only
the American patriot to brush away the silent tear
but calculated to blast the hopes, Of the oppressed
of all nations, and which has caused millions Of
men to fall down on their knees in humble suppli-
cation to God who holds the destinies of Nations
in the hollow of his hand that lie may avert the
dire and impending calamity, and thereby restore
peace and prosperity to distracted country once
tue most iuNOleu Ol Tue Lel
tive justice be meeted out to ali those who have
been the cause of our calamities whether they come
from North South, East or West.
| Every one knows that equal rights in the terri
tories was emblazoned upon Southern banners du-
ring the late Presidential canvass. That il the
engine used by which "to fire the Southern heart,
and preciptate it into a Revolution" 1t ,cas de-
manded as the sine gun non of the Southern States
remaining in the Union. But after the whirlwind
had been raised to its madend fury, the master
spirits have changed their tactics. They have I'M
masked their battery. The cry is now sent forth
that they spHra with contempt the concessions they
before demanded, or any efforts of Cancellation or
satisfaction the part Of the North TO quell the
storm, and give calm and peace to the Nation.
They now are Intoxicating the Southern mind
with the delusion of golden Eysium magnif-
cent Southern Confederacy This is the spring
which mpes the leaders forward, and to strengthen
their suicidal arm, they insultngy endeavoring
by threats to drag the border Statos of the South
into the vortex of disunon, anarchy il not destruc-
ton, for the purpose of strengthening their position,
whereby to assume the protection of the more laud-
able name of successful Revolution or the long
cherished wish of throwing their arms around
and pulling down the pillars of the American Con-
stitution," and in involving all in one common ruin
But let the people pause and remember the impos-
ture and deusion of Sir Walter Raleighs South Sea
Expedition, his promises of Golden Guiana, and
let the fierce master spirits of the cotton States,
member the result of that delusion, aye, and the
fate of its protector and leader. Tennesseean say
the people sovereign the makers and the destroy
er5 of the government" True, but when they
attempt to destroy the Government ihey ought t
do it only from justfable causes, and in legti
mate way such as the laws of Justice and Of Ma
tons would justify or recognize. The fact is, tina
there men, who, if they cannot rule, willing
TO ruin, who have gone so far that they turn Tel
.N,.N.z
ewes even to look at it, lest they should there
the Sd section of the Sd Article of that document
ratified by all the States as being the supreme law
OF the land. He next says, Gllinois has libert
bill, but has fugitive law dead law more strin
gent than the federal law, yet, there, the highe
law rescues slaves from their masterswithimpunty.
We answer, that if Illinois has liberty bill, bu
has law by which TO return SLAVES TO their masters
that State has done nobly, and we believe that tn
Presidents message informs us that the fugitiv
slave law of Congress has been enforced in all in
stances where ii has been applied for.
a Tennessee has a stringent law against horse steal
: ing, yet there individuals who entertain senti
ments of a "higher law" who disregard the statut
and claim that one man has as good right to
horse as another and act accordingly, yet the Stat
should not be held responsible for their violation
the law does the State force any citizen to pun
e sue and capture the thief or horse. We now com
: to consider what that history is, with which Ter
nesseean proposes to assist us in showing up North
/ ern sentiment lst He says, Senator from Ma
sachusetts violently abused the South and person
ally an old honorable non combating Senator frol
; the South. I'd. Mr. Loveioys sanderous assertion
against the South, and the Black Republicans spring
ing from their seats to prevent Mr. Barksdale frol
caneing Lovejoy- Sd. Helpers book countenance
IT by number of Black Republicans in Congress-
Is 4th. Mr.. Blakes moving in Congress to have bi
A. reported to give freedom to every human being.
And lastly, he is opposed to Exciting the people
o or, he says, he might add something of Brown an
Ne his 5000 spikes, &c.
E We answer 10 the first, that the outrage commi
n ted by Sumner was promptly met by the caneir
re he deserved and which he received at the hands
Mr., Brooks. ID That Lovejoy ought to have bee
t. caned by Barksdale or some one else. Sd. Tn
Helpers book ought to have been burnt and Il
" author sent to a penitentiary for life If the boo
* contains what is said of it, for have never see
it. The great body Of the people at the Mort