Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-02-22

From the present indications, the next mere that
will be made by the Black Republicans, to induce
delay the part of the Southern States still in the
UniOn,will be to pass resolution Recommending the
calling of National Convention. Before Congress
met the cry was, wait until Congress assemblies
Congress assembled and the committees of Thirteen
and Thirty-three were appointed The Senate COM
mitee, Of thirteen, did not take very long to deter
mine that they could not agree upon any basis of
adjustment. The House Committee Of thirty
three took longer time for elaboration
but were equally as Intellectual in their labors
Then the cry was, wait until the Peace Conference
act quiet will then be restored to the whole coun
try, and we shall again be a happy and prosperous
people. But fears are now seriously entertained
that the South win be as unfortunate in the Peace
Conference she has been before Congress and its
committees. Hence the necessity for another pro-
ject to induce delay and if possible forever prevent
the remaining Southern States from going into
the Southern Confederacy. Congress has no
power to call National Convention, ex-
cept son the application of the Legis-
latures of two thirds Of the several States" All
that this Congress DO on the subject is to pass
resolution expressive Of desire to have Conven-
ton called. As the Anti-Slavery party do not ac-
knowledge the withdrawal of the seven seeded
States from the Union, it will require the appca-
ton of the Legislature of twentythree of the States
to empower Congress TO call Convention In
other words it would require the application of
the Legislature of the eight Southern States now in
the Union and of fifteen of the nineteen Northern
States. Should the Legislatures of sufficient num-
Der of the States make the application then the next
ConOress which rnaets on the frst Mondox II; Oaoor,
Der nextmight call convention When that conven-
ton meets, which it could notpossby do in much less
than year, it may propose amendments to the Con-
stitutioa which shall be valid to all intents and
purposes part of that instrument "when ratified
by the Legislatures CT three fourths of the several
States or by conventions in threefourths thereof,
as the one the other mode of ratification may
be proposed by the Congress" Should a National
Convention be called and should that convention
agree upon amendments to propose, it would re
quire near or quite eighteen months, at least to
ascertain whether those amendments would be rat
fled so to become part of the Constitution.
To ratify any amendments, it will require the appro
val of twentysix States twothirds of ALL including
the seeded States Should the LINCOLN admins
traton acknowledge the independence of the South
ern Confederscy, Of which we see no probability it
would require only the ratification of two-thirds of
the States remaining in the Bnion, to amend the
Constitution But under the doctrine now main
tanned by the antisecession party it would require
to ratify the amendments proposed by the National
Convention the approval of the eight Southern
States now in the Union, and al Of the Northern
States except one. Massachusetts, and Yer
mont or any other two States could
defeat any amendments that might be proposed. If
the Black Republicans have any idea of or desire to
give such constitutional guarantees why have they
not proved it by their action before this in some
authoritative manner either by their action in Con-
gress, or one Of the Congressional Committees or
in the Peace Conference: If such amendments are
acceptable to or probable from them why the ne
cessity Of National Convention? Such a conven-
ton, when called upon the application of two-thirds
of the State Legislatures only has the power pro-
pose amendments. Congress has the very same
pooa why not exercise it and the matter be deter
mined in the specdiest manner, so that we may
know before the first of next January, what is to
be our fate Until our difficulties are settled con-
fdence cannot be restored and business Eesume
It's accustomed activity. The proposal of National
Convention is but evidence that the Black Re-
publicans desire further time to more efectually
divide the South, and render it an easier prey to
their fanatical purposes. We do not believe that
Virginia and North Carolina can be restrained by
proposition for National Convention. A recon
struction of the Union in this generation is i'm
possibility and we do not believe that the people of
Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee Kentucky and
Arkansas much longer be blinded to the fact
that their duty and interest require them to join
the seeded States.