Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-02-07


and one caseless ana eternal round of revo-
luton must be the consequence. No peace.
no security, no government Some who have
been houored with high trusts,tell as to tear
dowa our fabric of government. piece by
piece. aud then reconstruct it. Raconstruc-
ton Attempt as soon to bring together
the shattered fragments of the majestic oak.
riven asunder by the lightning of heaven.
and make them grow and bud and bloom, as
to reconstruct the temple of liberty, when it
shall have been torn down and scattered up
on the earth. What will be the situa sion OF
these States, it, by the dissolution OF or ma
tional compact, they be left to themselves
What is the probable result? We shall
either be the victims of foreign intrigue, and
split into factions fall under the domination
OF a foreign power, or else, after the horrors
and miseries of civil war. become the sub
jets of an usurping military despot. What
but this compact can save us from ruin
Even admitting circumstances justified US in
separating from the Northern section of the
Union, and that we could be so fortunate as
to form Constitution for a Southern Con-
federacy, (Which l very much doubt), the
principle OF secession having been establish
ed, what assurance would we have, that the
first State of the new Confederacy who might
consider heself sggrieved would not at once
secede and break up the government. Let
not then our federal compact be destroy ed
let not this great treasure be trusted to the
merciless waves of revolution. What can we
do to save itf The Representative of, Maury,
Lewis and Williamson, (Mr Whitthorne,) the
other day told us he was willing to stand
upon the resolutions passed by the present
General Assembly, and strike hands with our
Northern friends upon them. So am / will
ing TO do the same. But then he goes further,
aud tells us we should arm the State. Here
we seperate. would not by any vote or act
of mine impair or neutralize the influence
which Tennesse is capable of exerting in Civ
ing peace to this land, rent with feuds and
civil discord. Such would be the effect of bis
policy. Holding the Tennessee resolutions
in one baud "a an olive branch of peace, and
the sword in the other, be would present the
one as peace-ofering to the people of the
North, and stand ready, if it were refused, to
wage war upon them to the death with the
other. A Union kept together by the sword,
is not the Union want. / am for Union,
Liberty, and Peace, if possibie-a Union of
affection and fraternal feeling among the
people of all the States. Let us then, stand
ing upon the broad platform of the American
Constitution, appeal to Congress, as cont M
plated in the resolutions offered by the Re-
preventative of Green, Hawkins, Hancock
and Jefferson, to call Convention Of all The
States to SO amend the Constitution as to re-
country. 1t must be apparent to every MEM
Der upon the floor of The House. that nothing
short OF Constitutional Compromise can
avail anything in this hour OF trial. 1t must
be equally apparent that the plan suggested
in the pending resolutions is the only one lett
by which Convention can be called TO
amend the Constitution. The noble and pat
riu.ic statesman of Kentucky, Mr.. Ciittenden.
and his worthy compatriots have labored and
struggled ny day and by night to propose
such amendments to the Constitution as would
be satisfactory to all sections of the nation.
Thus far they have failed to effect this cherish
ed object. According to the provisions of
the Constitution, on application Oftwo-thirds
of the State Legislatures, Congress shall call
a Convention to propose amendments to it.
Passjthese resolutions then asking at the same
time the cooperation of the other States, and
l feel sure the requisite constitutional majUri-
ty will comply with the suggestion, and the
goal of our hopes may be reached at last. Do
this, and you take this vexed question from
Congress and place it before the people. My
confidence in their intelligence and virtue is
yet mistaken. Our fabric of government
cost too much toll and suffering and blood
shed to be given up to decay and destruction.
Let US then, make this one more honest effort
to save the country, and all Others that may
be necessary, and after exhausting every re-
medy, if fall it must, God grant that Tennes-
see may be able to mold up her hands STAIN
less and unspolted before the civilized world
in token of her innocence. / shall now con-
Guide these desultOry remarks, with the hum
Bile but devOut prayer to Him who holds the |
destiny of nations in hands, that if the Eagle |
OF Liberty is forced to take his final flight |
from this favored land, that the last impress |
Of his feet will be lett upon the dome of the |
capitol that OvershadOws us.