Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-09-14

ventiOn, and they believe of more than twothirds
OF the people of Kentucky, that "the peicy OF CO.
erclon is wild and suicidal promising only to deluge
the land with blood and dissolve the Union irretriev
ably in the crimson tide" and they therefore
nestly invoke good and true of all parties, the
patriots and lovers of liberty both North and South
to exert every influence to bring about cessation
OF hoshlities, in order that fair and honest effort
may be made to agree on terms for permanent
peace.
s. That it is the deepest convection of their hearts
that this ia not less demanded by the interests Of
humanity and the dictates OF patriotism, than by
the preservation of that liberty which they so high
y prize, and upon which such fearful threads have
/ already been made.
SO That the late act of Congress confscating pro-
perty and emancpating slaves as 8 penalty for the
crime of the owner, is gross and p&lpable viola
ton of the Constitution of the United States and
Justly alarming 70 the freemen of Kentucky. If
such power exists, Congress may, with equal right
annex the penalty of emancipation to every viola
ton of any of its laws
Z. That we should not consider ourselves faithful
sentines of liberty. if failed to raise our voice
IN unqualified condemnation of the open and fla
grant violation of the Constitution Of the United
States by the President. in arrogatiHg to himself
powers vested by that compact of union exclusively
in Congress /: by increasing tie regular army and
navy and calling out volunteers for three years BY
regulating at his own will and pleasure commerce
between the States {; by blockadiAg ports without
any declaration of war by Congress by the sus
/
American liberty and exercising powers which
neither he or Congress possesses by authorizing
his military commanders to proclaim martial law,
to arrest persons arbitrarily without legal war
rant to lDprisOn whOmsOeveF they please without
their conviction of any crime, to deny them speedy
public trial, and to dismiss the police officers of
cities, and appoint others in their place by fetter
ing the freedom of commerce of q State within its
owR bounds by suppressing newspapers and pros
tituting the mail of the United States, by refusing
them transportation thus destroying the freedom of
the press by infringing the peoples right to bear
arms and lastly by making unreasonable searches
and seizures. We consider these acts crime against
the liberty of mankind
8. That the late proclamation of Gen. Fremont in
Missouri, abotshing and subOrdinating the entire
civil power of the State to his own arbitrary will
and emancipgtlng the slaves, is such manifest viO
ation of the panest pI DIVISIONS of the Constitution
and such bold invasion of the liberties of the peO
pie, as demands the unqualified condemnation of
every citizen, and should meet with the determined
rebuke of every loyal State, whether slaveholdIng
or otherwise.
8. That we consider it incompatible with the neu-
trality avOwed by Kentucky to vote money for the
prosecution of the civil war; pending or to tax
the people of the State augment its debt for
purpose uDwise, and for cause hopeless
as the military subjUgatiOn of the Confederate
States.
10. That having first secured the neutrality of
Kentucky, we advise the union of all good men for
the purpose of producing peace between the bellig
erent parties the best practicable basis main
tanning the homer AMI embracing the interests OF
erch.
IL. That for this purpose we recommend q trnce
between the beligerents, and the appointment of
Commissioners by the United States and the Confed-
crate State, to treat for permanent peace.
II. That the exercise of powers by the President
not warranted by the Constitution of the United
States, upon the plea of necessity, is a precedent
too dangerous to the liberties of the people 10 be
sanctioned or endorsed by them.
Upon motion of Mr.. Harvie, the chair appointed
a committee composed of Gov. G. S. Morehead, of
Jefferson county; Gen. Lucius Desha, of Harris on
county; Capt Lewis E. Harvie, of Louisville City;
Gov. John q A. King, of McCracken county, and
Colonel Thomas B. Stevenson, of Mason county, to
prepare address to the people of Kentucky, bas>
ed upon the principles Of the resolutions adopted by
this Convention.
Gov. Powell offered the following resolution,
which was adopted:
RESOLVED, That Col VIM. Preston, Geo. W. John
son, Esq, Gen, Lucius Desha, Capt. Richard HAYES
and P. Porter, Esq, be, and the same are hereby,
appointed a committee of Organization in order to
carry out the purposes of this Convention; and full
powers are conferred upon them for that object.