The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-04-26
Tennessee Response of the Union
Press at Nashville.
tFrom tho Nashville Patriot, 17th.1

| "eJ Soh thcJ ouStulh tuo ihttitoto ohb
dignity of the State. On what basis can
they thus standY So far as they have ex'
pressed themselves they have reached
substantial unanimity in opposition to
the use Of an armed force by the Fed
eral Administration for the subjugation
Of the seeded States. We trust that
ere long the whole State without one
dissenting voice will stand together
against this war and against its further
prosecution by the Federal Government
For all practical purposes we have reach
ed that point. We are enaniinous against
coercion. Thus far our voice upon this
subject has been unheeded, and the Ad
ministration has engaged with every
show of energy and activity in war o
subjugation. One of the primary steps
in this effort is call upon Tennessee fol
soldiers to aid with their blood and theil
lives in carrying it out We decline tc
furnish such old (which we regard as
foregon conclusion) also with substantial
unaniinity. Thus far we trust We are
united.
This refusal to respond to the call o.
the Executive authority OF the Federal
Government. places us, that far, in antag
onism to that Government. In assuming
this attitude we unquestionabiy put OUT
selves in a revolutionary position. Though
we are not in state of revolution, by q
formal declaration and warlike prepare
tion and action, our refusal is revolutionary
in its character, and it devoves upon Us
to maintain that position against al
comers, and by whatever means we con
slider adequate to that end. If the Ad
ministration should decide to treat this
determination on our part as an act oi
rebellion requiring him to suppress it by
force, then it is our plain duty to pre-
pare to meet it on that ground, and to
sustain ourselves with all the power at
our command. On this subject we trust
the people of Tennessee are substantially
and practically united. They can neith-
er permit their love for constitution
which the anti-slavery administration at
Washington appear determined to ig-
more to carry them into war against
their brethren OF the South, nor can
they be compelled by force to abandon a
determination which they have formed
on their convictions of the principles OF
equality and justice which are the pillars
of that Constitution and Union which
are falsely invoked to justify a war upon
them. We believe the people are united
thus far. If this position will lead them
out of the Union, they will 30 with alac-
rity, and in doing so will carry with
them their freedom and and every other
thing they hold dear in the Union.
Why. then, shall Tennesseeans disa-
gree? For what may one reasonably con-
tend which the other may not grant,
What is the real basis and substance of
disagreement? Is there anything be-
tween us which should lead to strife
among ourselves? Shall we fly at each
others throat, and thus render ourselves
in,potent for efficient action on either
part? Tennessee is great in herself, in
the Union, or out of the Union; but she
is only great rs she is united. To be
| strong she must be one. She must think
with one head; she must move with one
body; and if she must strike, she must
strike with one right arm. If we are to
believe that there is strength in union
| when applied to all the States, how much
more is it true that we must be united
among ourselves to be strong! What are
men? What are old prejudices? What
parties, in time and on question like
this? Divide and conquer is the univer-
sal maxim among belligerents. Shall we
be guilty Of the stupendous folly of be-
ing divided and conquered? To this
complexion the thing must come at last,
and alone in union is there safety among
ourselves. Is it necessary or proper that
we should enlarge on subject of such
palpsble and important truth?
Are, then, minor differences, such as
immediate secession and conditional
union with the Northern States, with the
condition practically left out. to divide,
distract and make us weak? Are these
to make us enemies to each other? We
trust not. If we have minor differences
let us harmonze them. This we canno;
do by cultivating spirit Of partisanship
and exclusiveness. We must counsel to,
gether and split our difference, if we can
get rid of them no other way. We are
one in interest, and ought to be one in
judgment and in action. That we may
be so on such principles as shall be Of the
highest good to the people Of Tennessee
is our earnest invocation.
[From the Nashville Banner, I7th.l
| Position OF THE BORDER STATES. THE
inexcusable, mad and detestabe poll
cy adopted by the Federal Administra
ton towards the rcvolted States has well
nigh, if not entirely blasted all the hopes
of preventing war and ultimately pre-,
serving the Union, so fondly cherished
by the Union men in the Border States
Mems patience will not last always
Acting from a sense of duty and from
the belief that the preservation of tn,
Union would best conserve the interests
Of both sections, the Union men, castinl
aside for the moment, so far as possible
oil recollections Of the aggressive and un
constitutional designs of the Northern
party, and choking down their stroni
natural sympathies for the people in tn
Southern States embarked in a revolu
tionary movement, have stood up man