Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1861-05-16
Message Of Gad. Aarsis
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
ExncrrYE DEPaRrMENr, ]
Nashville. April 25ih, 1861. {
Gentlemen Of the sesafe
and House Of Representations:

NaehVille. Airii L0t5, loOI. y
j. Gentlemen of the fesafe
,e and House of Representations;
A, The President oil the Uuited State
1t elected according TO the forms I
e the Constitution, but upon principle
openly hostile to its provisions ba,
: ing wantonly iaaugurated an intel
) necine var between the people. G
1.-THE slave and non-slaveholding State
of this Union. ! have convene,
!, you again at the seat Of government
for the plrpose Of enabling you Il
5 take such action as will most likely
contribute to the cefence Of on
rights, the preservation of our lib
ierlies, the Sovereignty of.the State
and lbs safety Of our people; all o.
which are now in imminent peril BY
rhe usurpatioss Of the authorities At
| Washington; and the unscrupslous
ianaticIsm which runs rio. throughon.
The Northern States.
The var thus inaugurated is likely
to assume an Importance, nearly If not
equal, to the struggle Of our revo-
luiionary fathers, in their patriotic
| fforis TO resist usurpations and throw
fl the t,ranDieal yoke Of the Eng
lisk Government; war the dura.
lion Of which and the good or evil
hat must result from it, depends
entirely. 10 my judgment, upon
he readiness with which the citizens
II the South harmonize as one people,
and the alacrity with which they re-.
pond to the demands of patriotism.'
! do not think il necess .ry to re-
capituiate, at this late hour, the long
train Of abuses to which the people
Of Tennessee, and our sister States
Of The South have been subjected
by the anti.repubiican spirit that has
for many years been lnanilesling
itselfin that section, and which has at
last declared itself our Llen and avow.
ed enemy. 10 the message which ]
addressed to you at your called session
10 January last, these things were
someghat elaborately referred TO, as
constituting in my judgment, the am
Hest reason for considering ourselves
in imminent danger and as requiring
such action on the part Of the Lrgisla.
as woald place the State in an attitude !
for d.ft Ice. ~beneycr the momentous
crisis should be forced upon Us; aud.
also as presenting TO the North the
strongest argument sor peace, and
if possible a reconstruction Of the !
Union. thus already dissolved! blythe
most authoritative, 10 maland mAtured
action Of portion Of The siavehold-
ing States. Minor differences upon
abstract questions The ardent de-
votion Of cur people TO The Union,
originating with their great loyal
ty TO the Government--anG n more
hopeful view Of the subjec, than | had
been able to take, couples With the
supposed peaceful intentions Of the
authorities ut Washington, have re-
suited ia leaving the State poorly
prepared for tbs sad realities which
are now upon US.
But unfortunate as this my he. ]
am nevertheless, encouraged with the
beli,f that Wa are at last, practically,
a united people. Whatever differ
ences may have heretofore existed.
among US growing out Of party d.
visions as to tie right Of Secession
as a Constitutional remedy against
FEDERAL usurpations. aIl admit The
moral right asserted by our fathers,
of each and every people to resist
wrong and to maintain their hber-
ties b7 whatever means may be
necessary; shat Governments de-
rive their just powers from the con-
sent oil tho governed, and that when
ever any iolm Of government be.
comes destructive Of the ends for
which it was crealed, tits the right
Of the people to alter or abolish
it, and TO institute new govern
ment, laying its foundation en- such
principles, and organizing its powers
in such form as to them shall seem
most lileiy to effect their Safely and
happiness. Standing by this COM
mon sentiment; with the bloody and
1yrannicsl policy Of the Presidential
usurper fully before Us; in the face
of his hordes Of armed soldiery.
marching to the work Of Sousher