Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-03-07
The Duty Of tennessee.

The policy Of the Republican administration, so
far as depends upon the executive is no longer a
matter Of doubt BE is firm and decided in the ex-
preston Of his determination to make war upon the
seeded States In this soe as all our readers know,
are not taken by surprise. We have expected moth
ing better and have entreated the people of Ten
nessee BY every argument and by every appeal in
our power to adopt such policy as would either
avert it, put in position to meet it by forcioie
resistance. The people decided, however, that the
measures which we advocated were in advance OF
crisis which it was beIieved-hoped at least, might
be averted by Cancellation and compromise AZ
all events the value of the Union was too great
to be given up without further effort to save IT,
the idea of coercion being rejected as one too mon
strous to be entertained for moment.
All efforts at reconciati on have not only failed
but have demonstrated beyond further cavi the
utter mprachcability of agreement betwixt the two
sections.
The expedient is now to be tried of compelling
obedience on the part Of the South at the point Of
the 5ayonet There is no escape. AN attempt to
execute the law against the seeded States is act
OF war. and will be resisted. In such war, a war
between Black Republicanism and our sister States
of the South, there cannot be a doubt as to where
sse host of Tennessee will be. But what shall we
do? What can we do? To stand stilI 70 Look on
with Indifference as tothe issue of acontest in which
every thing that is dear to freemen is at stake,
would be impossible. We must take sides whether
we will or no. We must. in spite of ourselves, give
material aid, not personal service, to side
the other. We must pay taxes to the North or
to the South, for the prosecution of the war.
The presses and candidates of all parties and
of every shade of opinion with bus few ex
ceptions, have manifested so far as words could
do, their determination to maintain Southern
rights, peaceably If they could, foreiby if they
must. Our legislature have expressed with
unusual unanmiity, what they believed we
we had right to ask. Far less has been irrevoca,
blv and scornfully refused. The people Of Tonnes
see have said, speaking through their Representa-
tives in the Legislature, that they would resist any
attempt at coercing any of our sister States of
the South sat all hazards and to the last extremity"
A war upon them is war upon Tennessee. Their
rights, their interest, their cause, is our cause.
Should they be subjugsted there is an end to our
liberty. The Southern States would be thereafter
but many subjugated provinces, paying tribute to
Northern masters. We shall be scorned and de-
spised by all the world, and than all despised
by ourselves.
Let all men who love the South, her institutions,
and her honor take council together. Let the past
be forgotten and let us consult only to our future
safety. Can we not be united in defending the South
leaving all questions Of our future connection to be
decided when this unnatural war shall have been
brought to close. The thing is practicable we ,Oig
it. We VIII not seek to prejudice the public mind by
proposing at the present moment the policy which, to
our mind seems best adapted to this end. We want
united South in defence of the South until peace
shall be formally declared between the sections.
Let each, then, choose such connections and make
such alliances as its own Judgment and sympsthies
shall dictate. We not who what party shall
lead. Give us but the assurance of united South
until we shall overcome the dangers that now
threaten, and we will follow. With united South
we might even yet hope to avert the threatened
dangers; but if cannot let US at least meet it
men, as brothers, and share common fate.
There are those whose voice in the present criti-
cal juncture will be powerful for good evil. Will
they step forward and take the lead? VIII they
lose this golden opportunity of serving their
try, and embalming themselves in the hearts of a
grateful people? There is yet time for action, but
none to be lost.