Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-01-20
Public mestlnr in nsaford.

Public Meeting In Bedford.
Pursuant to previous notice, large meeting of
the frecmel Of Bedford, irrespective Of party as
sembled at The courthouse on Saturday, the 18th
inst, to confer together on the perilous condition
OF our country
Tie following gentlemen, on motion, were ap-
pointed officers Of the meeting. On motion of R.
Matthews, Daniel Parker, Esq, was appointed
President and Dr.J ohm r. Jones' Townsend Fugits,
Esq, Henry Holt. Esq, ]. j Shriver, Daniel Dill
lon, Esq, Alfred POplin, W. x. Ransom, David
Ruth, s. S. Morton, and A. L. Lsndis Vice Presi-
dents; and Thomas g. Mossly, Joseph Trice, and
Dr. VIM. E, Sutton, Secretaries. st3
On motion, the President appointed q Committe
on Resolutions, consisting of the following named
persons. viz: -
Geo. w. Buchanan, DIR. Watson NJ. Gentry, Jacob
F. Thompson, Thomas Dean Esq, DR.. II. L. Custer,
w. A. Allen, ]. G. Fite, and DIR. Henson.
Able, eloquent, patriotic and manly addresses
were made during the absence of the Committee, by
Col Seuddsr, John Neill, Esq, and by the Presid-
ing officer on taking the Chair
The Committee presented the following resolu-
TONS which were unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, We, portion of the people of Bed
ford county, have met for the purpose of taking into
consideration the political troubles of the Govern
ment and the States that compose the same and
for the purpose of giving an expression OF our
opinion to what should be done in this the great
est peril of the American people-therefore, belt
ResclUsd That we have warm attachment to the
Constitution Of the United States, which was form
ed and handed down to us by the Revolutionary
fathers that we regard the Freedom and Equality
of each and every citizen of the State both social
| ly and politically; the Freedom and Equality OF
each and every Stats e the Union, as being the
great and leading principles that pepvade the Con-
stitution, and upon the faithful exercise of this
right, and upon the faithful guarantee of the exer-
else of these rights, depends the Union of these
States that the Union is the offspring Of the Con-
stitution, and si its blessings depend upon the
houest and faithful fuliment Of every right guar
anteed 5y this instrument.
ResoIu.d, That the election of Abraham Lincoln,
President Of the United States, by purely section
al party which hss fer its only basis, aims, and OBJ
ecs, hostility to the people of the Southern States
and to their institutions, and endangers the Union
of the States; and if the principle of the Black Re-
publican party shall be carried out by the admin
istration Of Abraham Lincoln subversiys and des-
troyng the equality Of the several States, the
equality of TIE States of the Union, setting at de-
isnce the decision of the Supreme Court of tho
United States, one Of the coordinate departments
| Of the Government, in reference TO the rights Of
property Of citizens of the Southern States in the
common Territories Of the same, endangering the
peace aad quiet and happiness of the people of the
Souta-wll effecually destroy the Constitution and
the rights of the Southern people guaranteed by
this instrument la at-rr
Rssolpsd That the questions that now endanger
the Union of tbs States should be settled NOW and
GCREvRR upon some basis similar to the one intro
dueed lately by the Hon. JohnJ- Crtte1den, Sem
etor from Kentucky, into the Senate of the United
Slater; and by ths Hon. Isham G. Harris, Governor
Of the State Of Tennessee, il his late message to
the Legislature, at It's present called session. and
We earnestly desire that the settlement shall be
| made, and the Constitution shall be preserved.
Resolved That We will firmly adhere 10 the great
fundamental principle in the bill Of rights of the
people Of Tennessee which is part Of their Con-
tituton, "That all power is inherent in the people,
and all FREE Governments are founded on their au-
th0riy and Instituted for their peace, safety and
happiness. For the advancement Of these ends,
they have at all times an nalienable and ndefeasa-
bic right TO alter, reform abolish the Government
in such manuer as they may think proper" There
fore, whenever we deem 1t necessary, will threw
ourselves upon our reserved rights, ard maintain
these principles
Resolved That We will never submit to orendorse
the doctrine of cosrcing soVereing and Independent
States, thereby endangering the sovereignty and
Equality of the States and destructive of the great
fundamental principles of civil liberty and tending
to the establishment of military dispotism; snch
q power was never extemplated by the fcRuers Of
the Constitution, and in the language Of Thomas
Jefferson BvERY STATE MUST be Judge for itself OF
the infractiol of the compact and of the MODE AND
MEANS OF REDRESS" and in the lsnguageof Andrew
Jackson. in his farewell address, every State must
be sole judge Of the measures proper to the
safety of the citizens and promote their happiness
ana all en0rtS On the part OF the people OF other
States to cast odium upon their institutions and oil
measures calculated to DIsTURBE THE RIGHTS OF
PROPERTY, or to put in jeopardy their peace and
internal tranquility, in direct opposition to the
spirit in which the Union was formed, and must
endanger its safety"
RESOLVED, That we approve Of the calling of
State Convention, to meet at the earliest day. to
take into consideration the best interests Of the
State and what is to be pursued by the State
of Tennessee in the present perilous condition Of
the Union Of these States.
Resolred. That we approve the Recommendation
of Gov. Harris to re-organize the State mlilis go
to prepare her for any emergency that may arise
out Of the present state Of public affairs.
RssOlUsd, That unity of action on the part Of
the people Of the State is essential to the success
fal msintsinanca Of our Constitution and the pre-
serVation of the Union.
Thomas G. Mosely, the acting Secretary. on read
ing the resolutions, addressed the meeting Pre-
senting his views, approving of the spirit Of the
resolutions, and urging his countrymen to discard
party and come boldly to the of this glorious
country. He was fer demanding the rights of the
South under the Constitution. and for Convention
of our State to take measures to secure them.
Pollard Reynolds, being called upon, made q
speech of an hour aud half, taking strong grounds
in reference to the rights Of the South and insist
ing that the guarantees Of the Constitution must
be maintained.
The greatest harmony and good feeling pervaded
the meeting.
On motion, it was unanimously carried that the
proceedings of this meeting be published
DANIEL PARKER Pres.
Tnos. G. MosELY Socy.