Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-06-02

our National TroubIes.

MEcofS- EDirohS.-Iefnaps the strangest
and most unaceountable thing that has oc-
Cured in this, or any other country. for the
last two or three centuries, is the revolution
now in progress in these United States. If
any person had been bold enough, one year
ago, to predict that such would have been
the state of things at this time, the idea
would have been secuted, and the man con.
sidered fit subject for the Asylum.
What! this country-the most happy and
fourishing on earth, fall to piecess Impos-
siblel Surely it cannot bel The people are
too far advanced in knowledge, too refined,
too much under the influence of the Christian
religion, to admit of such catastrophe as
this. The Government-the best that has
ever been formed amongst any people-is built
upon basis, too strong ever to be over
thrown, 1t was intended as model for all
other governments, and no doubt, in few
years it will be adopted, in spirit at least, by
all other nations. Besides, these United
States are bound together by cords too strong
ever to be broken. Why, the people are bro
theirs, descended from the same origin, hav-
ing the same parentage, come from the same
country, and speaking the same language.
They are divided by no natural bounds; but
on the contrary, they are linked together by
rivers, railroads, and telegraphs, in such a
way that it seems impossible, in the very ma
ture of things, for them ever to be separated
Besides, their soil, climate and productions
&c 4
them ever becoming two separate and inde-
pendent nations. The North needs the pro-
auctions of the South, and the South those
of the North. AS sOhole, they possess all
the means necessary to constitute them the
happiest and most Independent people on
earth; but, in separate state, they cannot
live thus independent. Therefore, we con-
clude tina. this nation can never fall, or be
divided
Such would be the reasoning, and such the
conclusion arrived at by every man in his
senses. But alssl facts prove such conclu-
sions TO be erroneous. We are already a di-
vided-a ruined people! We have sinned
against God; and no people, however strong
and powerful, can ever flourish and prosper,
while trampling on Gods authority. No in
or community, or nation, can break
Gods commandments with impunity. The
history of all nations, from the beginning of
the world, to the present time, proves this
fact. However long-suffering and patient
God may be. yet he says, "Be sure your sins
will find you out"
Bat what is the cause of all the commotion
that is now convulsing the nation from Gen.
ire to circumference? 1t is evident that the
North and the South occupy two different
81 and points, and consequently they see OBJ
ects in a very different light.
They either ,1ll not, o. can not, understand
each other. The South considers herself
aggrieved-that the rights and privileges of
the Constitution have been denied her, and
that the North will make no concessions, or
do anything to retrieve the wrongs she has
sustained. This, in the estimation of the
South, is the head and front OF the North's
offending. The North looks upon matters in
a different light, and will not believe that the
South has been maltreated, or deprived of
any of her rights, and hence the difficulty.
What pity it is that this matter cannot
be amicably settled without resort to arms.
In consequence of the wrongs sustained by
be South, whether real or imaginary. she has
from the Union, and founded an
government of her own. The
North says she has no right to do this. and is
determined to "whip her back" into the
Union. This is the darkest phase in the
whole affair, and will cost more lives and
treasure than any war recorded in the annals
Of history. i shall not now stop to contend
for the rights of secession; 1 believe it should
never be resorted to without sufficient cause;
but 1 do contend that when State is op-
pressed and deprived of its privileges, it has
the right to withdraw from the government.
1t is divine right, guaranteed by Heaven it
self, to individuals as well as nations, to de-
end their lives, their liberty and their prop
erty. If this were not the case, our fore
athers committed great wrong in throwing
,ff the British Yoke.
At first l blamed the South for being too
orecipitate in their action. 1 thought they
ought to wait and use every effort to have
heir wrongs redressed before they resorted
o extreme measures; but suppose they un-
lerstoOd the spirit of the North better than
border States tried that policy, and what
ave they gained Nothing but insult. The
most just and reasonable propositions were
elected With scorn. And what more could
We dot Must we suffer our liberties to be
rampled upon by horde of Northern Abo-
itionists? No, never, never. Neither law nor
gospel requires this at our hands. A war has
zen forced upon US and we must and will
efend ourselves to the last extremity. The
Worth may boast of its numbers, its wealth.
nd its determination to support the claws,
he government and the Constitution" but
We trust that the God of battles is on our
ide, and He will give us the victory; for
the race is not always to the swift, nor the
'attle to the strong"
Mr.. Lincoln has acted from the very first,
With the greatest duplicity and deception
When he was first elected he saw the excite
nent it produced throughout the country;
md although few words of explanation of
he course he intended to pursue would have
atisfed the people, yet he carefully kept his
sentiments concealed until he was indicted
nto office; and in his inaugural address the
language was couched in the most equiv
'cal teEms-capable of double meaning
This was all done for effect. He then held
'ut the idea that the forts should be evacua-
ed. This ne thought would quiet the minds
't the people until he should get bis prepara-
ions in readiness, and as soon as this was
lone he let loose his war dogs, and showed
what his real intentions were. Such course
vas beneath the character of an honest man.