Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-11-22
cams 10 Officers.

Tba peopIe of Tennessee have Withdrawn from
the Federal Unen, since its perversion to despotisu
under ABRAHAM LINCOLN snd have united their for
tunes and destiny with the Confederate States
adopting their constitution, by majority of more
than sixty thousand. The people have asserted
their will, with potency, that no man. who is not
an ingraned tory and traitor to his native land
disregard and defy. The right of the people to
alter or abolish their Government, and to choose
new condition of freedom for themselves, is the
very corner stone of the cid American civilization
and polity. It ia explicitly asserted ia the TennesA
see bill of rights. 1t is denied by none but tyrants
and traitors.
And yet, after the people of Tennessee have
thrice overwhelmingly announced their decision on
this fundamental question, it is known that there
are a number of men, holding the most important
ministerial and judicial officers in the State who re-
fuse to acquesce in the verdict declared st the bal
lot box, who proclaim that Tennessee is still sbec
of Lincoln's abominable and negrostealing despot!
ism, and who wSuld tomorrow surrender Tennessee
and her people into the hands Of the marauders, cut
throats and thieves, who are wkging against
us the most savage and merciless warfare in hsto-
~, if they had the power to do So Some of these
traitors to Tennessee who more treacherous and
base than the tories Of the revolution of 1776 sit
upon the track as we are advised, others mags-
trates, sheriffs and constables. They are enemies
to the government, and d1stil their treason, from
high places, deluding multtudes of ignorant per-
sons and misleading them into crime and
selfdlstruction. And yet we are told
that some Of our Legislators who are
as sound in their sentiments, and as true
to our Government as any of US, have delicate
scruples about requiring these traitors and tories,
in influential positions, and who administer our
laws for US, laws which are made in pursuance of
the Constitution of the Confederate States and of
Tennessee, to take oath to support Constitution
ratified and adopted by the people of the State by
an overwhelming popular majority
We are wholly unable to appreciate the scruples
or the prudential considerations, as the case may
be, which influence these worthy gentlemen. We
cannot see how they can expect the masses in East
Tennessee to become reconciled to the Government
when hey even refuse to cause an oath to be ad-
ministered to the officers of the State to support
constitution that the people have sanctioned and
adopted. 1t seems to Us that selfrespeet consist
ency, the dignity of the laws and the supremacy of
the constitution require that this oath should be
administered, ana tuOs6 WIN Eeluso W baAS ~
should be hurled from their places, and true
men substituted in their places. How can the
Constitution be acknowledged IS supreme and ad-
ministered faithfully, while men, who deny its va
Hdty, are its ministerial agents?
We understand that to-day is set in the House of
Representatives for the consideration of bill in
Yolving the question of administering these oathS
to the officers of the State. We trust that the true
Southern men, loyal patriots, who have taken
different view of the question from the one here
stated, will now reconsider their opinion and not
shrink from the legitimate action following from
the declared verdict Of the sovereign people at the
ballot box.
We desire to see the syes and noes recorded On
all stages of this BILL and intend that the people
of the State shall know who is 80 bold as to record
his vote against proposition demanded by every
principle of justice, popular Government and expe
diency.