Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1861-02-28

4 the cost that will follow the attempt.
| submit this, not as threat, but as
the plain consequences Of an act of
this character. If such policy as
this is to result in no good to any
portion Of the Union, but in inter-
minable evil, submit, Why is it nec-
essary or expedient? And let me
say, here, that all that is said or
done upoc this subject Of conquering
or using force, or coercion, but adds
( fuel to the flame through the whole
South. If this Government had
manifested more peaceable DISPOSE
ton, and had, from the commencement
of this excitement, proclaimed through
Congress that no force would be used,
! | believe that not more than one
State would have been out of the
Union at this time. We should have
had more time fer settlement of
these d ifficulties.
The remedy, if remedy there be,
is in coneiliation. Read, if you
please, your writer's upon the subject
of natio nal law, and they universally
concur in the idea that the true and
proper mode Of putting down civil
wal is to grant to the people what they
ask. And what has the South asked
which should not be granted? She
has never come into the Congress OF
the United States and asked for the
passage of a Law favoring and estab-
fishing slavery upon any portion Of
the continent. She has only asked
that al the rights we have shall be
protected by the Government. We
30 not get rights from this Govern
ment. We have them over and
above the Government. The Gov
ernment does not create rights but
only protects them. Governments
are established to protect rights; and
we only ask that Congress Shall pass
lave to protect rights which we al
ready possess.
If this matter is to be settled
and possibly it yet may belt must
be done by concession. And what
do you yield? What do our northern
friends yield? Nothing; absolutely
nothing. They will have the same
rights in the Territories which We
will have. The feeling all over the
South is, equality in the Union, or
independence out Of it." That is
the watchword. That is the feeling
of our people Of all sections, SO Tar
as my information extends.
Nv constitute nts have not been.
nor have | been, for secession. We
have hoped for safety in the Union;
and have desired that all means to
effect that end shall be exhausted
beforo a resort is had to disunion.
But while we waii for your returning
sense of justice towards us; four, and
perhaps five, States have seeded,
and the forts and arsenals, from North
Carolifia to the Rio Graade, are near
ly all in possession Of the seeding
States. We can be content with no
adjustment that will not unite with u.s.
/ The southern States have common
Interest and common destiny.
You censure the southern States
for their precipitancy. Upon this
subject we OF the border slave States
have no more reason 10 complain than
YOU. They and we bave told you
for wears, in the most solemn manner,
/ that we could DO: submit to your ag-
gressions, and entreated you to for.
bear; vet you have not needed, but
have insulted us and told US that it
was with US mere boastfulness.
You complaia that the seeding
States have seized the forts and 9th
er public property. These forts we're
permitted to be erected in these
! States for their defense, and tho arms
that have been taken were placed
there for the same purpose. The
Federal Government has no right to
use this property for any other pur'
pose. And whenever the people who
hac granted the sites for the forts
for their defense discovered that
they we're to be for the orosite pur'
pose of On attack upon them-ii
t was not only just, but wise, for them
/ Ito see that they we're used Tor theiI
, defense, the legitimate purpose fol
t which they we're erected.
3 You complain that Florida AMI
: -other States were purchased and pait
d for, and that they cannot therefore Sc
j tcede. Gentlemen are surely for re
{ Iviying The doctrines Of the dark age