Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-04-18
CiarksvilIe Correspondence.

CLARKsVIILE, TENN, April 10, 1861.
Presuming that your readers are looking with in
tense interest TO the manifestations of public senti
ment in Tennessee, SINCE Mr.. Lncolns proclamation
| write you some account of its expression here
upon the reception of that astounding document.
The proclamation reached here late yesterday even
ing, and early this morning the people from town
and country gathered in great numbers to the Court
House without any call, as by spontaneous i'm
pulse. Some of the most prominent citizens of the
Union party addressed the ex cited assemblage urg-
ing them to take immediate action for the secession
of the State petition was soon prepared calling
upon Gov. Harris TO convene the Legislature imme
diately, that the State may be armed and COnyen-
ton called at the earliest practicable moment This
petition has received the signature of nearly every
man in town, and have heard of only one refusal
TO sign il. meeting called at the Court House
in the evening. and overlooking house assembled.
Jas. h. Bailey. Jas. NJ Quarles, Jno. F. House, Rice
of Dover, A. Robb, Vim. 4. Quarles, and others
made speeches, all urging the immediate secession
and armng of the State. As the Union position of
all of these gentlemen with the exception of W.
A. Quarles is well known, you can judge of the
complete revolution of sentiment in this locality,
consequent upon MIR. Lincoln's proclamation. Jas.
Nj. Quarles after unmeasured denunciatiOn of
Mr.. Lincolns perfdy and q declaration in favor of
the immediate secession of Tennessee, withdrew
his name for the nomination for Congress, which
drew forth prolonged and tremendous applause.
Mr.. House in a speech of great eloquence and
power, besought all to lay their past differences and
unite carry the State of the Union at once as
requirement not only of honor but of selfpreser>
walton.
The speaking continued to a late hour in the
evening and at night, and the firing of cannon and
beating of drums, the people again collected at the
Court House in immense and most enthusiastic num-
bers when Judge Guild, of sumner, and our own
gifted Henry. the eagle Orator." kept alive the
patriotic arder of the crowd for hours, with such
speeches as filed the hearts of our Fathers in sew
enty-six. The flag of the Confederate States was
placed upon the stand and greeted with cheer upon
cheer Nor are our citizens idle in taking action.
Companies are forming and already have
300 men been enlisted in this county If the revo
luton of sentiment all over the State has been as
sudden and complete as in this comfy, which but
he other day was overwhelmingly Union, and is
low almost unanimous for Secession, then Tennes |
zee will bs out of the Union as soon as the una
roidable delay of Constitutional methods will per-
sooner. Respectfully, "
In view of the prospect of civil war inaugurated |
" the late proclamation of the President of the |
jnited States, we, the people of Montgomery coun-
v, cali upon the Governor of Tennessee 10 assem-
lie the Legislature Immediately for the purpose of
rming the State to resist Federal usurpaton and to
all Convention of the people to take such steps
$ shall be necessary to sever our connection with