Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-07-25
The Grrat Rn11ie.

| With mingled feelings of joy and sorrow, with
mingled smiles and tears. read the accounts that
have reached US of the first great battle fought in
! the second War of Independence.
Our heart sinks within US rs we think of the
/ field of carnage and blood of the thousands of
brave fellows stiff and stark where they fell of the
! widely scattered homes where there is mourning
and weeping and waiting for loved Cnes new still in
death: and in anguish of spirit we curse the mad
/ ness and wickedness and Obstinacy and stubborn
pride and unhOly ambition of the President and his
| Cabinet and his supporters who have thrust this
! war and brought sorrow and suffer ng and
ruin On the land. and humiliation and disgrace on
! he American character rather than surrender one
ota of power they claimed tn possess or agree 10
acknowledge and respect the constitutional rights
! of the South.
This war was not of the seeking Of the South
/ il was madly and wckedy thrust upon the ed
crate States by the Administration and It's trends
| it was the legitimate and inevitable result OF the
hair-bralned and II nous policy" adop cd by Mr..
Lincoln and sustained and upheld by The enemies
| of The country who elected hin: and rrSn his
head and upon their heads will rest tho responsible
tv and against Ihym viii the blood ot Tie slaUch-
! tered thousands who sleep the sleep Of death at
| Manassas cry out forever.
At the date Of Mr. Lincoln 5 HguTatiDn he found
commissioners from the Confederate States Govern
ment awaiting his accession to POwer 10 propose ne
goriat0ns for peaceful solution Of The questions IN
! controversy between the sections st The request
/ of the Secretary Of State, they delayed formrl
ustAi I'm OF A5HGtl
! Forsythe and Crawford addressed q letter 10 Mr..
J Seward, in which they said
with 4 view 10 the speedy a3justmsn. cC all
, questions growing out Of The political separation
upon such terms Of amity and good Will g the re-
spectiYe interests, phiCa CUutguity and fU-
! ture welfare OF the nations may render necessary,
/ the undersigned arc instructed TO make to the gov
ernment of the United States Overtures Tor the open
ing Of negotiations a5,1'riny TIE government Of The
United Strss H2t s PrcSid9t Congress CTd psyp,s Or
I ~. .H4 lot -
ton Of tcSc qrsgt questions that it s neither their
wish 10 make any demand which Is not founded in
the strctest justice, nor do any set 70 injufe their
/ late associates.'
! This overture for 4 settlement was Indignantly
/ and scOrnfully rejected. The Commissioners them
selves were denied even the courtesy Of an official
! Interview. And further attempts through J utge
Campbell to open up negotiations for peaceful set
! Element failed.
! About that time, but little later Mr. Stephens
| the Vice Presdiden Of the Confederate States, IN
! public speech, which was published II the North
/ ard in the South, said:
"Our object is peace not only with the North, but
with the world. Al matters relating TO the public
! property, public liabilities OF the Union when we
! we're members of it, We are ready and willing to
adjust and settle, upon the principles Of right
! equality, and good faith
/ In his message to Congress on the 29th Of april
President Davis reiterated these sentiments say
/ ing:
:. We protest solemnly. i the face of mankind,
that we desire peace at any sacrifice, save that OF
| honor.
! In independence we seek No conquest, no e.
/ grandizement, no Cession Of any kind from tie
States with which we have lately confrdeTated.
All we ask is TO be let alOne-tEat those who never
! held power over US shall not now attempt our
subjugatcn by arms. This we will. we must resist
! TO the diTest extremity.
e The mmeIt that tbs prstr7SiOl IS aiSFa0Re6 tbs
s,rOTd UG drop from orr grasp. q ID zee shall be
ready 10 enter into tTeGtiss Of dTnsy md cCgmsce that
! cannot bit he mutually JenCic0lH
/ But the efforts OF Southern Statesmen 10 secure
| peace8ble adjustment Of the difficulties between
the sections were in vain the authorities at Wash
! ingtOn were determined sUhjug4Je the South
! less they would submit, TO the government buiIt up
! at Washington instead OF the Constitution L pub
lie of their tatEers-seventy five thousand first and
then tens Of other THOUSANDS. Of soldiers we're call
ed into the fi-ld and the dogs Of war were turned
! loose to ravage the cOuHtry and lay waste whole
States if it should prove necessary to crush out
what they persisted 10 termng rebellion.
! The Confederate States had no altcrnauve-they
could not be slaves; they must Fl ght.
They the storm; and they prepared to meet
it. They the horics of armed men gathering
for their invasion; and they 4de ready 10 repulse
them. They could have rakeG Washington City
within twenty days after the proclamation OF war
was issued by Mr., Lincoln; bu5 they preferred to
act only on the defense.
The Administration prepared fsr the invasion Of
Virginia with great delIbeTatiJn The largest and
b, st equipped army ever seen in America vas got
ready. They chose their own point Of attack
They selected their time TO fight
The result is seen in our telegraphic columns this
morning The qr1nf amy ,cbcb ,ois 10 H,aFch 10
hicb'nODd 'cith01t tUt1sy is IN re d!
III sons Of the south, fighting not for spoil nor
for gain nor for conq les rallied sround their CHI
leaders IN defense their property their homes
their wives and little ones their honor, their God
given rights Amercans, and their liberties, ana
the great God who rueJh and guiteth in all things
smote their enemies before them and blessed them
with great victory.
We feel that the Of the right has trump ed
. rejoice thai men flirting Tor al treeman
should hold dear were not beaten and We pray
most sincerely that this terrible reverse may Oiel
he eyes Of our mad Prs, may convince them III
he hnpossibdty o. subilgating free people, and
may cad them TO reCOs the lad, pendeEcy Of tIt
e Republic, and 10 restore peace to
happy country.-Loaisy 5e o4i:T Jay23.