davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-02-01
seoession poouments.

The following named gentlemen con-
stitute the committee of the Immediate
Secessionists, at Nashville, who are acting
under the specious title of State Central
Southern Rights Ant,-Coercion Commit
tee:"
VIM. Williams, Chairman; s. C. Good
sail, Secretary; Archer Cheatham, James
r. Bruce, r. II. Williamson, Geo. w.
Cunningham, Is. +. Cheatham, VIM. s.
Flippin.
The business Of this Committee, as we
learn from their Circular, is to circulate
gratuitously through the mails and 9TH
erwise, pending the canvass for delegates,
the Union and american, and DAILY Gazette,
Nashville, two papers now laboring to in
flame and excite the public mind, and to
prevent that calmness, deliberation and
unity of sentiment and determination to
promote which State Convention was
called "Anti-Coercion!" At this time
everybody in Tennessee is opposed to
coercion" as four-fftbs of the people
even of the free States are, SO there can
be no work for "And-Coercion" Commit
tees properly, and the assumption Of the
title is itself, deception. We know of
no rule or law requiring postmasters to
distribute papers or documents received
under cover of general address to them,
and we take the liberty and the respon-
sibility of cautioning the people against
any and every thing from the quarter in
Dictated, calculsted to warp and excite
the public mind. The States South of us
that have seeded, were hurried onward
and through under an excitement induc-
ed by appliances at which the sober Sec
ond thought Of their people will recoil,
no matter how deep-seated the grievances
of which they complain. Tennessee is
now called upon to act--to take position
to speak out. And when she acts and
speaks, let it be the voice of one people,
acting with calmness, Judgment, and de-
cision, and not the maddened shout of a
populace led on, through excitement and
passion, to position from which the first
reactionary wave will hurl them into con-
fusion and anarchy.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-02-01
Texas and Alabama.

We have this morning (says Calves
ton paper Of the 18th instantly received a
slip from Austin, giving the corrcspon.
dence between J. NJ Calhoun, Commits
sioner from Alabama to this State, and
Governor Houston. We have now no
time to give our readers this correspon-
dence. Governor Houston believes that
secession will involve "civil war and the
ruin of our institutions, if not of liberty
ITSELF" He further expresses the opinion
that Texas cannot rely for protection
on an alliance with the Gulf States alone"
and he therefore desires q consultation
with the Border Slave States. He says,
further, that "Texas has views of ex-
pansion not common to many of her
sister States" and he foreshadows his
policy of making conquest of Mexico
by the proves Of Texas alone, &c. The
Governor says that he cannot make up
his mind to desert the true men of the
North, and such he believes is the senti-
ment of Texas, until at least one more
effort is made to preserve our constitu-
tional rights within the Union.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-02-01
Well Done, Rhode Island!

We have the satisfaction of announcing
to our readers that the Legislature of
Rhode Island has repealed the "Person-
al Liberty bilP' of that State, thus veri-
tying the prediction made by Governor
Sprague some weeks ago, when he said
that the offensive law would be rescind-
ed without hesitation, not from fear or
cowardice, but from brave determine
ton, in the face of threats and sneers, to
live up to the Constitution and all its
guarantees, the better TO testify their love
for the Union, and the more firmly to
exact allegiance to it from all others."-
The vote on the motion to repeal was in
the Senate, yeas 81, nays Q (; in the House
of Representative, yeas 40, nays IS.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-02-01
union Meeting in Blount.

We have received the proceedings of meeting
held at Louisville, Blount county, on tho 26th.--
Tho late hour at which they reached us forbids
their appearance in full this week. We can only
find room for the resolutions, which are ms fol-
lows:
Resolved, Thatwe have heretofore and yet have
On unalterablc attachment to the Union and per-
petuity of the States of the American Union
that while we disapprove and cxerted our efforts
to prevent the election Of Black Republican
President by a purely sectional party upon Sec
tional issues, We, while this was done without q
violation of the powers of the Constitution, we
cannot regard that MS q just cause for the disco
| luton of our glorious confcderacy.
Rosotred, That we regard with the utmost dis
| favor the separate and independent secession of
the States of the Union, against the remon strance
and cordial invitation to the cooperation of the
co-slave States, as in contempt of the spirit Of
| amity and friendship and in violation of the spr-
| it and intention of the Constitution itself.
| Resoired, That from the repeated declarations
Of many of the leading spirits of the seeding
States, we fear and have good reason to appre-
| hcnd that in their secret movements they have
| been actuated more from hatred to the Govern
| ment than any causes growing out of the aggrcs-
sions of the North on the slavery question, or the
| success in cccting Black Republican President
Resoiced, That we will commit ourselves to the
policy of adhcring to the Union until a resort
shall be had to all the constitutional modes pre-
scribed for the redress of wrongs in the Union,
| and that failing in this, we will then rc|y upon
the last resort of free people in defending our
| rights out of the Union.
Resoired, That we yet have confidence in the
honesty of the people and their attachment to
free institutions, and their capacity to rectify the
wrongs inflicted on them, either by their rulers or
sectional parties, and that so soon as they have
| time to reflect and opportunity to act, untrammel-
ed by party leaders, they will insugurate a system
of measures that will restore peace to the country
| and pcrpetuiiy to the Union.
Resoiced, That while we oppose the policy of n
| resort to coercion to force back seeding State
yet we unhesitatingly avow our disapproval OF
the doctrine of forcbe secession right re-
served to the States, but the contrary, con
demned and rejected by the trainers of the Con-
stituton as Incompatible with the idea of more
perfect Union to establish justice, insure domestic
tranquility. provide for the common defence, pro-
mote the general welfare, and secure the blessings
of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.
The meeting appreciated the calling of State
Convention. The meeting called on Stephen
Matthews, and he responded in short and spicy
Union speech, and announced himself as candi
date to represent Blount county in the Convention
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-02-01
For the Post.
A Gathering of the People in Mass
Moattnr

Mr.. Editor: Il understand that there Is
to be Mass Meeting in Athens on Satur-
day, the I'd day Of February, for the pur-
pose of selecting a suitable candidate TO
represent us in the Convention, which is
to assemble at Nashville, on the 25th day
of February, for the purpose Of defining
the position Of Tennessee on the Great
Question OF the day. understand that
some persons, from interested motives of
course, are saying that the meeting is got
up by "tovn clique" and that the coun-
try should put II down. Now have al
ways been Democrat, good and true, as
you are we'll aware. live in the coun-
try, and profess to knoW something as to
public sentiment in that particular, es-
pecially in the part of the county in
which live, and l unhesitatingly affirm
that the proposed meeting meets the APP
probation Of all, parties. A large num-
Der of the prominent men of all parties
were consulted as to the propriety of cal
ling such meeting, and as far as we
could learn they unanimously agreed to
have the meeting in order that we might
have, union, harmony, and concert of
action. Let those who think our meet
ing will be small affair, come out on
Saturday nesi and We will convince
them that they are sadly Mistaken
We intond q select some good man
irrespective of party names; and Mr.. Edi-
tor, if we should be fortunate in selecting
a man like Mr.. NJ. p. JARNAoIN, or the
other gentlemen you named in your last
issue, or some other good man, to use the
language of one of my old political
friends, 1--WE can carry the county high
up" Awake my countrymen! l urge up
on you the great necessity of your meet
ing danger at the threshold. Or ciril
and religious Liberties are imported. We arc
about to be Mericani-ed The very thought
of little STATE Ndhonahties sicken us. Ten
nessee has a great part 10 act in the present
great crisis. Let us be true to ourselves
and our posterity. Let us select men
who are intelligent and virtuous, and
peradventure the good Lord will contin-
ue to guide our ship of State.
An OLD DEMOCRAT,
And a friend Of The Union
January %, 1861.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-02-01
Fiom Washington.

Washington, Jan. 27---A rumor is rife
that Gen. Scott has received intelligence
of further designs on the Capitol by the
secession invaders, which caused him
much anxiety.
Judge Robinson, who was sent by Vir-
glnia TO the Southern States to induce
them to keep the peace, telegraphed that
if the Brooklyn is destined for Pensacola
his mission will fail.
The Grand Jury have made three pre-
sentiments against Elk Secretary Floyd for
INSTRUMENTATION for completely in the
abstraction of bonds, and for conspiracy
against the Government.
Washington. use.-The Tennessee
resolutions were presented and tabled
and ordered to be printed.
The Committee on ways and means
were instructed to consider the expedi-
ency Of repeating the duties on Sugar.
The Kansas bill passed by a vote of III
to ~.
The bill for more effectually organizing
the militia in the District of Columbia
passed by vote of lis against AZ.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-02-01
County Meeting.

We have been requested to give notice
that there will be meeting of the peo-
pie of McMinn county, at the Courthouse,
Athens, on acknowledgements the
purpose Of uniting on some suitable per-
son to represent the county in the State
Convention, appointed to convene at
Nashville, on the 2jth instant. As to
whom the meeting should select, we have
nosuggestions to make. Butreports having
gone abroad that the proposed meeting was
initiated by the "town people" we take oc-
casion to say that all such reports no mat
ter by whom started or for what purpose,
are gratuitous and without foundation.
We know what we say when we assert that
the suggestions for the meeting emanated
from responsible parties in the country,
without the knowledge or procurement of
anybody belonging to the town. Things
are approaching nice condition, indeed,
if the "country-people" are not to be al
lowed to meet at their County-Town and
deliberate upon question affecting the
interests of themselves and children
Since the meeting has been called, we
hope the people will all come, and con-
centrate upon some good and reliable
man to represent them in the Convention.
We don't know who started the reports
in question; but it is no time to be arraying
prejudice of any sort, party or personal,
and we regret there is any one in the
county capable of STOPPING to it.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-02-01
[For the Post.1
A Card.

DECATUR, Tenn, Jan. 90, 1861.
10 The Voters Of The Senatorial District com
posed Of he Counties Of Monroe, Mcigs, Ne
Minn and Polk.
On yesterday at a meeting of members
of all parties at the Courthouse, in De-
catur, was selected to run for the Dele
gate in this District, as an Anti-C Coercion
States Right Separate State Action candi-
date. Iagreed to do so in the event there
was no candidate already in the field
favoring that doctrine. This mornings
mail brings letters that VIM. NJ. Stakely,
of Monroe, is a candidate, and holds the
above doctrine. | therefore decline, as
the time is too short and precious to have
any wrangling. | make this public be.
cause the proceedings of the meeting re-
ferred to, learn, will be published. In
haste, Yours, truly,
,JNO. NJ TITIARD
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-02-01
More Sensation.

A special despatch to the Charleston
Courier, from Washington, dated the 25th
says:
An affidavit has been taken before
Judge TANEY and filed. charging treason
on the Scnnars and Representatives OF
the seeding States. 1t includes the late
Senatorial and House Delegation from
South Carolina; Senator'S Davis and Brown;
Ex-Secretary Thompson, and Messrs
Barksdale, Reuben Davis, Singleton and
McRae. of Mississirpi; Senators Benjamin
and Slidell, and Messrs. Taylor, Davidson
and Landrum, of Louisiana; all the men,
bers of the late Georgia Delegation, ex-
cept Mr.. Hill; the Alabama Delegation,
except Mr.. Cobb; Senator Wigfall and
Representative Reagan. of Texas; Senator
Lane, of Oregon; Seniors Hunter and Ma
son and ex-Gov. Wise. of Virginia; Re-
preventative Pryor, of Virginia, and ex-
Secretary Floyd, of Virginia.
President Buchanan, Gen. Scott, Gen.
Cass, and Secretaries Black and Holt have
been summoned to appear as witnesses for
the prosecution.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-02-01
To the Voters of the Floating Dis
trict composed of the Counties of
Meigs, McMinn and Polk.
GOODFIELD, Tenn, Jan. %, Il

GooDFIELD, Tenn, Jan. %, 1861.
Fello1- Citizens: | take this course in
announcing my name as candidate for
Delegate to the State Convention to be
held, according to the act of our Legis-
lature, to convene at Nashville, on the
25th day Of February next In the dis
tracted condition of our country further
argument upon the perplexed issues
seems useless.
The issues are upon us, and the people
are expected to take their position and
speak through the ballot-box as to the
manner in which they shall meet them.
As candidate for so responsible posi-
ton, it will be expected of me to give my
views upon the matter and manner in
which l shall act if elected, to restore
peace and harmony to the country.
In the first place, am opposed to any
action that would change the Federal
relation of Tennessee at the present
time, but would take such course as
would enable Tennessee to present to the
North her ultimatum, which should be
the Constitution of the United States
with Crittenden's resolutions as amend
ments TO the same, never to be altered or
changed, in any way, unless by the con-
sent of all the Southern or slave States
in the Union; then to present the same
to the Northern States in some proper
way for their approval or rejection, giving
them q reasonable time to take action,
and when that is done, the Convention
to adjourn until such time as may be
agreed upon for the North to return an
answer And if the Constitution as
amended be ratified by them, then Ten
nessee to remain in the Union; if they
reject it with its amendments, then Ten
nessee will be free to take such action as
the wisdom of her people may think
best with justice to herself and her sister
Southern States.
Such, in brief, is the course should
pursue if entrusted with the responsibility
of acting as your Delegate. A. cox.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-02-01
A Card.

A number of voters have requested me
to become candidate for delegate to our
approaching Convention, and as l have
declined to announce myself, some of
my friends contemplate submitting my
name to a Mass Meeting to be held in
Athens, on the I'd of February. On the
question of secession l have been mis-
represented, and | have been urged to
define my position by way of correction.
have always denied that the right to
secede is to be found in the Constitution
and have constantly maintained that
neither duty nor INTEREST," requires Tennes-
see TO go out of the Union. A sacred OBJ
legation rests upor us TO mediate in our
present alarming dissensions. The crash
has come-our beloved Confederacy is
threatened with experimentation of
our people have gone off into separate
independences. Who shall gather these
| fragments and reconstruct our once
grand national edifce? My answer is,
let Tennessee take The lead! Either as citi-
zen or delegate. l am anxious to do all
that patriotism dictates in maintaining
our position in the Union. would pa
tiently resist aggressions from the North,
and the fearful haste and impetuosity of
the South. l would extend the olive
branch to both sections, but the sword
and torch to neither. God has made us
brethren, and as such let us dwell togeth-
err in unity. The slavery question must
be settled, and | think it can only be
safely done in the Union. Every consid-
Grafton of interest, of patriotism and of
religion prompts me to cling to the
Union as our sheet anchor in the storm,
and as the bow of promise in the bright
sunshine of returning prosperity. 1 have
never expressed nor entertained any 9TH
er sentiment. / am no secessionist.-
Thus have written and spoken-thus l
shall write and speak, until both ex-
trenes shall harmonic, or reject all adj
justment, and plunge into a war of ex-
termination. When that terrible event
shall happen, we must mako alliance only
with such States as will recognize and re-
spect all our rights, and with which we
may hope to live in peace. If the con-
sentative and patriotic of all parties ten
der me the place, ! shall accept; other
wise will most cheerfully remain where
/ have always benin private life. /
publish this card in vindication of more
than two hundred voters who have ex-
pressed preference for me, believing me
to be sound Union man. OF this num-
Der one hundred and thirty or one hun
dred and forty, signed written call
They did not mistake the man; but do
not claim any benefit under the calls al
luded to. Let them call another if they
wish. MILTON P. JARNAGIN.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-02-01
To the Voters of the Floating Dis
trict composed of the Counties of
Meigs, McMinn and Polk,

AASA6ot AAShAAhh llo 1 Vim
At a meeting held in the Courthouse
in the town of Decatur, on Monday, the
2Sth of January, 1861, was nominated
to represent the above named counties
Unsolicited upon my part) in Conven-
ton to be held in Nashville on the 25th
of January, 1861. Fully endorsing a
resolution passed by that meeting which
is as follows: Resolved, That this meet
ing is in favor of the Convention as called
by the Legislature of Tennessee, and is
also in favor of that Convention passing
an Ordinance of Secession" l present
myself before you for your support.
In brief, will give you my views.
am for separate State action, for seces-
sion, believing it to be the best thing that
can be done to allay the existing agita-
ton. We have presented our demands
to the North in spirit of compromise
as yet they have rejected them-but by
an independent action upon the part of
Tennessee, much will be done to cause
the North to see that the whole South
stands as unit upon questions which
she of right and justice should demand.
In conclusion, am for the Secession of
the State of Tennessee, and if, in the in
terval between the passage of the Ordi-
nance and its ratification by the people,
the North will give us the guarantees we
demand, it can then be rejected.
l trust you will all do what you believe
to be your duty.
Your fellow.citiaen,
Jan. Goth, 1861. A. w. HODGE,
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-02-01
The Convention Bill.

Tho Bill passed by the Legislature, call
ing State Convention, contains the fol-
lowing provision:
SEC. 8. Be il further enacted, That no Or
dinance or Resolution which may be
adopted by said Convention having for its
object change of the position or relation
of this State to the National Union, or
her sister Southern States, shall be of any
binding force or effect until it is submit
ted to, and ratified and adopted by a
majority of the qualified voters in the
State, taking as basis the vote cast in
the last election for Governor and men,
bers of the General Assembly.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-02-01
Appointment of commandments.

Trenton, N. j., Jan. 26.-The Union re-
solutions, embodying Senator Crittenden's
proposition, or recommending some other
conciliatory measures, and appointing
Charles s. Olden, Peter d. Vrooin, Rob't.
F. Stockton, Benz. Williamson, Joseph
F. Randolph, Frederick Freelinghuysen,
Senator Rodman, M. Price. Edmund s.
Striker, and VIM. G. Alexander, Commits
sioners, to 90 to Washington and join
Virginia and other State Commissioners
IN bringing about reconciliation in order
to preserve the Union, came up in the
House to-day, and, after a whole days
session without adjournment they were
passed by vote of 81 yeas to IL nays,
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-02-01
Significant.

The following paragraph from the
Charleston tS CO. Courier comedies the
alleged fact that many of the best fami-
lies of the State are fleeing from it as
from the plague, in consequence of the
lawless tyranny now exercised by mob
rule there. The Courier of Saturday,
January 18th says:
THE removal Of many excellent faini-
lies from the capital is regretted, but
nobody proposes to stop them from man
aging their own domestic affairs in their
own way"
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-02-01
Maryland Commissioners,

Governor Hicks has appointed Hons,
Reverdy johnson, Augustus w. Bradford,
William T. Goldsborough, John w. Girls.
field, and j. Dixon Roman, all devoted
Union men, as Commissioners to meet
the Commissioners appointed by the
Legislature of Virginia to meet at Wash
ington on the 4th OF February. These
gentlemen represent all sections of the
State.