Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1861-05-10
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. I
Nashville, April 25th, 1861. !
Gentlemen qf The Senate
and House Of Representatives.

GentLeHHen V the senate
and House Of Representatives.
The President of the United Statcs-elected ac-
cording to the forms of the Constitution, but upon
principles openly hostile to its provisions-having
wantonly inaugurated an internecine war between
the people of the slave and on.slavehodug States
of this Union, have convened you again at the
seat of Government for the purpose of enabling
you to take such action as will most likely contrib
ute to the defence of our rights the preservation of
our liberties the sovereignty of the State and the
safety of our people all of which are now in i'm
minent peril by the usurpations Of the authorities
at Washington, and the unscrupulous fauaticism
which runs riot throughout the Northern States.
The war thus inaugurated is likely to assume an
Importance nearly if not eq ua, to the struggle Of
our revolutionary fathers in their patriotic efforts
20 resist the usurpatons and throw OF the tyrannic-
al yoke of the English Government; a war the
duration of which and the good or evil that must
result from it, depends entirely, in my Judgment
upon the readiness with which the citizens OF the
South harmonze as one people, and the aacrity
with which they respond to the demands of patri-
otism.
do not think it necessary to recapituate, Mt this
late hour, the long train of abuses to which the
people of Tennessee, ami our sister States of the
South have been subjected by the anti-republican
spirit that has for many years been manitesing
itself in that section, and which has at last declar-
ed itself our open and avOwed enemy. In the
Message which addressed to you at your called
session in January last, these things were some
what elaborately referred 10, constituting in my
judgment the amplest reason for considering our
selves in imminent danger and as requiring such
action on the part of the Legislature would place
the State in an attitude for defence, wheneverthe
momentous crisis should be forced upon us; and
also as presenting to the North the strongest argu-
ment for peace and if possible, securing recon-
ctr Of TTninu thuC n1raody dissolved nv
the most authoritative, formal and matured action
Of portion Of the slaveholding States. Minor
differences upon abstract questions-the ardent de-
votion of our people to the preservation OF the
Union originating with their great loyalty to the
Government-and more hopeful view of the sub
ect than had been able to take, coupled with the
supposed peaceful intentions Of the authorities at
Washington, have resulted in leaving the State
poorly prepared for the sad realities which are
upon u.s.
But unfortunate as this may be, am neverthe-
less encouraged with the belief that at last
practically, united people. Whatever differences
may have heretofore existed among us, growing
out of party divisions TO the right Of Secession
as a Constitutional remedy against Federal uSurpa-
tion all admit the moral right asserted by our faith
ers of each and every people to resist wrong, and
to maintain their liberties by whatever means may
be necessary; that Governments derive their just
powers from the consent Of the covered, and that
whenever any form of government becomes des-
tructve Of the ends for which it was created, 1t is
the right Of the people TO alter or abolish it, and to
institute new government, laying its foundation
on such principles and organizing its powers in such
form to them shall seem most likely to effect
their safety and happiness" Standing by this
common sentiment; with the bloody Und tyrannic-
al policy of the Presidential usuTper fully before us
in the face Of his hordes of armed sOdery, march
ing TO the work Of Southern subjugation; the peo-
pie of the proud Commonwealth OF Tennessee
true to their honor true to the great principles o
free institutions, true TO the lessons OF their faith
erS, and true to their brethren of the Sonth, the
subjects of common oppression-haNe united
almost with one voice, in declaring their fixed re-
solve to resist the tyrant; and in pledgng theil
lives their fortunes, and their sacred honor to the
maintenance Of their rights, and the rights OF the
sister States Of the South.
! 1t cannot be overlooked that in assuming an at
titude of this character-forced upon us by the re-
morkabe exigency of the times-we are in effect
dissolving our connection with the Federal Union
As established by our fathers, that Union no Longer
exists. However m"ch we may have cherished j
heretofore, no intelligent and candid man can den!
that it has ceased to be a blessing and has becOm
a curse; that it is no longer hil,h and SACRED
means of protection, but an engine of oppression
that it has ceased to be bond Of brotherhood, anC
has become hateful connection between COmmu
of ourselves any longer as members Of the Fedora
Union; and while it is believed BY many, who's
Opinions are entitled to the highest respect that, b.
reason of the subversion of the Constitution by th
authorities in power, inaugurating a revolution be
tween the States thereof, each and every individu
al is already released from his former obligations t.
E that government, yet as COMFORTING with the dig
nifty Of the subject, and also from due regard t
those who may hold a different opinion-and far
ther still that all the world may be advised of ou
a,tioa--I respectfully suggest that our connection
with the Federal Union be formally aunulled il
such manner as shall involve the highest eXercs
CT sovereign authority by the people Of the State
and best secure that harmony, so much to be de
sired in times like the present, upon questions eve
Iof mere detail. Until this is done many COnscien
tious citizens may feel embarrassed in their actio
from their supposed relation to the General Gov
ernment. In emergencies like the present. while
is our duty to act with due delibcration aud pru
dence, unbiased far as possible by excitement o
prejudice, it 5 nevertheless of the highest import
I ance that we should act with promptitude and dc
cison.
Whatever grounds of hope may have been sup
posed TO exist heretofore for an adjustment OF tn
difficulties between the two sections OF the Fedora
! Union; however anxious we may have been TO con
i tinue members Of the same common family wit
the people Of the North, such hope and expectation
no longer exist in the mind of any rational mar
i who desires to maintain the honor and equality q
I the State, and the inYioability OF her peculiar in
: lStiutonS
The present Administration, elected upon avowc
= purposes OF hostility TO the South-purposcs whic
all knew them as well now, could not be carrie
9 into effect without an nternecine war and disso
luton Of the Union-has eXerted every energy, re
sorted to every strategy, and dsreg.rded every con
j stituuunal barrier in order to hasten the accom-
D pshmcnt of the unholy mission for which the pee
pie OF the Northern section had elevated it to power
; They have lost no tme-they have neither hesita
ted nor ialtered. The low duplicity in which thei
: administration was augurated-uu3ling Will
conceding nothing to It'll the South into fatal St
: curity furnishing ground for divisions in the Bordc
Il Slave States, while constant though secret preparl
c ton for the work of su6ugation was going on,
J now exposed and leaves rs no alternative but ind,
+ pendcncc out of the Union or su6lugation in i
u The dishouorable and ueachcrous practices whc
Il have SO far characterized the authorities at Wasl
" ington admonish MS, that in the impending strugg
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