The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-02-08
Remarks of Mr.. Yancoy in the State

eTnIueutS iOr " De-
ing under consideration, ~ 81. aa
Mr.. Yancey said Mr., President, the
PEOPLE OF South Carolina have invited the
PEOPLE of Alabama to meet them in Con-
vention to frame Provisional and Perma
nent Governments Tor the seeding States.
In the resolutions accompanying the Or
dinanco dissolving the Union-the Ordi-
nance of Secession--this Convention ac-
copied that invitation; and adopting the
suggestion of the Commissioner from
South Carolina, we invited those, as well
as the other Southern States, to meet us
in Convention in this city, on the 4th of
February. 1861, for the purpose of fra
ming Provisional and Permanent Gov
ernments, for our common future peace
and security.
The object OF the report and resolu-
tons now under consideration is simply
to carry into effect the design then and
thus announced, and, therefore, no dele
gate who voted for the Ordinance and
resolutions attached can consistently vote
against this report.
Several objections have been urged
against the report, which propose brief
ly to consider: One is, that by the report
deputies to that Southern Convention
are to be elected by this body, and not
by the people; and also that no provision
is made for the election of another Con-
vention to consider the plon for the Per-
manent Government to be submitted for
ratification. The points are correctly
stated, but constitute no objection with
me. The people have had this question
of secession before them Cor u long time,
and have maturely considered it in two
late elections, namely; those for Electors
- r.u Il al, Ia.
body. The issue was as distinctly made
in one as in the other, and in both they
decided the issue in favor of secession.
They have intrusted their delegates
with unlimited power-powcr to "consid-
er, determine, and do whatever, in the
opinion of this Convention. the rights,
interests and honor of the State of Ala
bama requires to be done for their pro-
lection" The law that authorized the
election contained that enumeration of
ample authority, and the people Endorsed
1t. We have been selected for our sup
posed wisdom, experience in public af-
fairs, integrity and courage to take all
81. proper responsibility in the premises. In
my opinion, the seven States that will be
out of the Union, by the 4th of February,
will media common government in order
to meet common enemy. as soon as one
can be organized. 1t is plain that with
divided councils, and divided resources,
and divided action, these States cannot
contend against the united power OF the
Northern States, as well as if they met
their enemy with the strength and wis
dom of union, in council and action
Hostilities already exist between the Sc
ceding States ard the Federal Union
Coercion is the policy at Washington
81
ern Convention until we could submit the
election OF deputies to the people, would
postpone its meeting till the 4th of March,
and that, in my opinion, would be hazard
Gus 20 the last degree. Such an act would
be suicidal-one to be looked for, per-
haps, .frons a jiierd Of reconstruction Of the
Union, but not from friend of u South
ern Contederacy.
But, it is said, Uhy not call another Coz
teatioa to ratjy die Permanent Gorcramem to
lie adopted? answer because is unneces.
cary. permanent government for
Southern Coniederacy was looked for by
the friends of secession-was spoken of
and entered into all the discussions in the
late canvass. 1t was a part of the plan
of secession, and when the people deci
died. for secession, they decided for a
Southern Conicderacy. Therefore in that
point we already know the views of the
people, and no new expression of opinion
is needed. Neither il such expression
needed as to the character of the Per-
nanent Government. The character the
people have indicated, and it is expressed
in the report--it must be a government
as nearly similar as possible to the Fed
cral Constitution. We need no discussion
before tie people, nor other expression of
Al do, hoe
views, in themselves conclusive to any
mind, no statesman would willingly
throw such grave issues before the people
after once receiving their decision, until
the rritations and preiudices and passions
OF the previous contest had cooled. 1t is
emnently wise, before throwing off upon
the people the responsibilities which at
tacli to us to consider the condition of
the public mind. Gentlemen here have
told us of an excited and unhealthy
state of public feeling in some sections of
the State, and have asked time for re-
Election, in order TO its correction. Who
is not aware thati was great misfortune
that the election for delegates to this
body came Off so soon after the heated
Presidential contest? Who is not aware
that in one section of the State the an
cry passions and prejudices of that con-
test entered very largely and almost en-
clusively in that section into the election
for delegates? And is it wise, is it not
eminently unwise, to throw this whole
question again before such a people, to
blow OFT the ashes and revive once again
the glowing embers of that bitter strile?'
There is another reason why | oppose
the election of another convention. Such
proposition las TENDENCY TO reopen The
question Of secession, By bringing up the issue Of
a reconstruction Of tie Federal Governments
1t allows such an issue to be made-it
invites it, in fact. And under what CIR
cumstances? From the signs of the
times, it would seem as ii coercive mea-
the time of such an election, the people
contest. Commercial and agricultural inter
ests w;N be suffering. Debts WW be hard 10
pay. Provisions wW be scarce. Perhaps
death at the hands Of the enemy mil haze come
10 tie doors Of many .famiHes. Mems minds,
thus surrounded and affected by strong
personal and selfish considerations, will
not be in that calm and we'll balanced
condition, which is favorable to q correct
and patriotic judgment of the question.
The very state of things will perhaps ex-
ist, which our Black Republican enemies
predict will exist. and which they sneer-
ingly rely upon to force our people to
ask for r-admssion into the Union.--
Shall we, the selected friends and depu-
ties of the people, aid these willy and ma
iignaut enemies of our State by laying
this whole question. Us it eliminates in
its progress, ON the very eve of final tri-
umph, back to the consideration of a
people thus surrounded and irrffuonced