Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-05-03
MrssAaE or rHE GoYERNoR or rENNEssEE.

Nashville, April 25th, 1861.
Gentlemen of The Senate and
HolSe of ReDressntdtiyts:
The President Of the United States elected according
10 the forms of the Constitution but upon principles
openly hostile to its provisions-having wantonly naug
nrsted an internocine between the people Of the
slave and non-saveholding States of this Union /
have convened you again at the seat Of Government
for the purpose Of enabng you to take such action as
will most likely contribute to the defence OF rights,
the preservation Of our liberties the sovereignty Of the
State and the safety OF our people, all OF which are
now in imminent pew, by the usurpations Of the author
ities AZ Washington and the unscrupulous anaticsm
which runs riot throughout the Northern States.
| The war TINS nsugurated is likely TO assume an i'm
portlnce nesry If not equal to the struggle of our rev.
outonary fathers 10 their patriotic efforts TO resist the
usurpao1s and throw off the tyraLn cal yoke Of the
| English Governments war the duration OF which and
the good Or evil that must result from it, depends
rely in my judgment, upon the readiness with which
the citizens of the South harmonic as people, and
the alacry with which they Ispond to the demands OF
patriotism.
do roi think X necessary to recaptulae, at this late
hour the long train OF abuses 10 which the people OF
Tennessee and sister States OF the South have been
subjected by The anrppubcan spirit that has for many
wears been manfe-cg itself 10 that section, and which
has AZ last declared Us II our open and avowed enemy
In the message which addressed to you your called
session in January last, these things somewhat
deliberately referred 10, as constituting in my Judgment
|
danger and as requiring such action the part Of the
Legislature would place the State in attitude for de-
fence whenever the mcmenous crisis should be forced
upon ~ and also presenting to the North the strong
est argument for peace, and il possible, securing re-
construction of the Union thus already dissolved by the
most authoritative, formal and maured action of por
ton of the slavehodpg States Minor differences upon
abstract questionable ardent devotion of people TO
the preservation of the Union, originating with their
great loyalty to he Government-and hopeful
Oh. kal L.o, 10 20 a1,a
led with the supposed cc intentions Of the author
ties at Washington have resulted in leaving the state
poorly prepared for the sad realities which upon
us.
But unfortunate as this may he, am, nevertheless
encouraged with the belief that we are at last, pract
cay, q united people Whatever differences may have
heretofore existed amongst u.s. growing out OF party d.
visions the right of Secession as Constitutional
remedy against Federal usurpaion, all admit the moral
right asserted by fathers OF each and every people
to resist wrong aud to maintain their liberties by what
ever may be necessary; 'that Governments de-
their just powers from the consent OF the governed
and that whenever any form OF government becomes de-
strucve Of the ends for which it created it is the
right of the people 10 alter abolish IT. and to institute
new government laying its foundation on such prnc
pes and organizing its powers in such form to them
shall seem most likely to effect their safety and hap
piness" Standing by this common sentiment with the
bloody and yranncal policy Of the Presidential u'urper
fully before u.s. in the face OF his hordes OF armed SOL
|
the people Of the proud Commonwealth Of Tennessee
true their honor the great principles Of free
institutions true TO the lessons of their fathers, and
true to their brethren Of the South, the subjects of
common oppresson-have united, almost with voice,
in declaring Ia r fixed resolve TO resist the tyrant; and
pedgng their lives. their fortunes, and their sacred
honor the maintenance of their rights and the rights
| of their sister States OF the South.
1t cannot be overlooked that in assuming attitude
of this cb.racteror?ed upon by the remarkable ext
| Of tho in fc al
nection with the Federal Union. As established by
fathers that Union no longer exists However much we
may have cherished it retoore no intelligent and can
did man can deny that il has ceased to be blessing and
has become curse; that is longer high aud
cred means Of protection but an engine OF oppression;
that il ha. ceased be bond of brotherhood and has
become hateful connection batween communities at
war. II would be idle therefore to speak OF ourselves
any longer members OF tho Federal Union and while
il is believed by many, whose opinions entitled to the
highest respect that by reason OF the subverson Of the
Constitution by the authorities in power inaugurating
revolution between the States thereof each and every
individual is already released from his former obligations
TO that government yet as best COMFORTING with the
dignity Of the subject AID also from due regard to
those who may hold different opnion-and farther still,
that all the world may be advised of acon-I re-
specially suggest that connection with T. Federal
Union be formally annulled in such shall in
vove the highest exercise OF sovereign authority by the
people OF the State, and best secure that harmony,
much to be desired tines like the present. upon ques
lions even Of mere detail. Uul this is done many
scientious citizens may feel embarrassed in their action
ON their supposed relation TO the General Government
In emergencies Ike the present. Will il is our duty to
at with due deliberation and prudence unbiased far
as possible by excitement PREJUDICE it is nevertheless
of the hghes importance that We should act with premp
| titude and decision.
Whatever grcu5ds Of hope may have been supposed
exist heretofore FOR adjustment OF the cutes be-
tween the two sections of the Federal Tn on however
| YIN vel ma
same common family With the people of the North,
such hope and expectation no longer exist in the mind
OF any rational man, who desires to maintain the honor
aud equality of the State, aud the inyoabiy OF her Pc
| cuiar institutions.
The present Administration elected upon avowed pur-
poses OF hosii,y the Souh-puposes which all knew
then well bow. could not be carried into effect,
without internecne and dissolution OF the Union
has excrted sveSy energy, reoted to every strategy,
and tisregafdad cvcy constitutional barrier in order
hasten the accomplishment Of the unholy mission for
which the people OF the Northern section had elevated
| TO power. They have lost lime-they have neither
bssiated nor fa;ered The low duplicry in which their
Administration was MISUNDERSTANDING, while conced-
ing nothing, to nl the South into fatal security, fur
Dishng ground for divisions in the Border Slave States
while constant though secret preparation for the work Of
subugaton going on, is now exposed and leaves US
alternative but independence out of the Union or sub
iugation cit The dsbonorable and treacherous prac.
tees which have far characterized the authorities at
washington acmOnlSn IN Struggle
scarcely to expect the rules OF honorable warfare.
Having its origin in disordered moral sentiment of the
Norh-not finding the ordinary restraints Of patriotism
among their people-derivDg its power from usurpa-
ton and perverson ofsthc functions Of Government
having battle-ground short OF positive subjuga-
ton Of the South, defeat which exposes its dis
grace to the civilized world fear the time has passed
when peace De hoped 70; by the moral force
of united South without trial OF arms. Having SIC
oeeded in confusing and dividing the border slave States
they have had ample time for military preparations
The veil which concealed their recent movements has
been thrown aside The note of has been sounded
and in the imperial proclamation, recently issued the
people of the Confederate States and all who sympabize
with them treated rebels and twenty days allowed
them dsperse and to their allegiance TO the
authorities at Washington. Without waiting for the
Eirat0n Ct the twenty days. in addition to the regular
army and naval forces militia force Of seventy-fye
thousand has been called into the held to execute this
edct by the power Of As If purposely intended
to add additional insult to the people Of Tennessee,
have been called upon their Governor to furnish
portion of these troops have answered their demand
in my judgment became the honor Of the State, and
leave the people to pass ucon my action.
The Federal Union of the States thus practically dis
solved, be restored if ever thus restored it
must by the very act 10 DO Union Of free and
independent States fathers established. 1t will be-
come a consolidated, centralized government without
| liberty or equality, in Which will reign and others
ser.ethe few tyranrze and the many suffer- II would
b. the greatest folly hope for the reconstruction Of
peaceful Union terms Ct fraternity and equality
at the end of ntegnecre war; There can be no de.
have that before the unholy crusade which Is now be-
log waged against Us, cannot have it after they have
wantony mbrusd their unhoy hands the innocent blood
of our people from worhier motive than desire 10