Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-06-12
The Position of enne.see as Dehheo
on saturday.

total subverslO0 OF It's splrit; anu Tue ueiea'
of every one of the objec,s for which it and
the Union undsr it was f rmtd, by the des-
potism at Washington. the Legislature of the
State at its last extra-session proposed to the
would, by an act of revolution and declara-
ton of independence, cut away their rela-
tions political and social from the Federal
Government. At the same time the Legisla-
ture pronounced the question whether this
people. in the event they dissolved their con-
nee ion with the Lincoln Government, would
ioin with the Confederate States of the South,
in the struggle which that act would pEeeipi-
tate upon US as people, and share with them
the fate, political and military, which might
await th. m during the progress aud at the
end of that struggle. These were the ques-
lions propounded to the people on Saturday
last. the 9Th inst. They have answered as
became brave men and free men, and by ma
iorities such as cannot be mistaken by any
individual or power which may feel any con-
Germ in the decision AS State and peo-
pie we are to-day as distinct from the Gov
erpment of the late United States, as are the
Russian possessions in China An important
fact connected with this act, is that the step
placing US in this attitude was taken with
due deIiberatiou. and with the utmost quiet
and fairness. No man, so far as our infOr-
nation extends, was Influenced in the slight
est degree in the free expression of his views
and opinions through the ballOt-box, either
for or against the proposed change. The step
was taken with the solemnity and dignity ap-
propriate to an act of a sovereignty drciding.
not only for itself but for future generations,
its and their political destiny The act, there
fore, possesses all the high sanctions of de-
cency, freedom. deliberatiOn and unalterable
determination. 1t had also the sanction of an
unanimity unexampled in the history of pop
ular elections in the State, and is in all re-
spects decisive of the attitude and destiny of
the State, so far as the action of the people
through the ballot is concerned.
The position thus deliberately and resO-
Iut-ly ASSUMED, throws upon Us not only the
responsibility but the duty of inaiuing
it at any and every haz,rd By it We havr
assumed our share in war which our North
ern enemies tell us is war of subjugatiOn OF
determination. a war waged in such spir-
1t, if continued for any cons .drrable Length
of time. cannot fail to be disastrous to all th,
parti.s Concerned. But it is not our war
but that of The North. On cur part it is
war for Thirty against intolerahle oppression
tha fvrn
ment-we must have liberty-we must have
the privilege which our fOreiathers fought and
di, d for. to cOEs-nt to the government undrr
which We live We cannot accept the alter
native of Submission to tyranny. We choose
death and determination first. Such is the
spirit which acruafes Us, and ihe last man
woman and child of US will perish belor4 W.
will yield to an unauthOriZ d and iuIoleraule
despouism. We will accept our part. SHIRE
for shar. with our South m brethren. in this
war. The separation from the North, which
we have vot. d, is not 10 be reversed by the
present or The next generation. If not ac-
cordpd to Us. we will bequeath to our children
our wrongs and our hopes and aims. 1t werr
we'll the North would understand this at the
baginning. They may squandrr millions.
they may fight for years but the contest will
go on.
We invoke our enemies, therefore, to call
off their dogs of war. If they will allow Us
a brief interview We will tell them: You
have violated and subverted the Constitution
as we look upon it; you lave denied to Us
the inalienable right of consuming to our
government; you tell Us yGu have no occa-
sion to consult ouI wishes or our interest in
your administration of public affairs you
teII Us If we are dissatisfied the sword must
assumptions are incorrect, and do not satisfy
us; we are two peoples we cannot honor
ably, as freemen. longer continue with you
we must leave you-haye left you we know
the magnitude of this step; We accept all it
responsibilities, and are prepared. and prepar
ing for the consequences; you cannot sub
due us; you cannot conquer us; We are free
and we mean to continue to be freemen sOT
your war; let US alone We have no war tC
make upon you in your dOminions; tax.
and let US alone We will make fair and hon
orable treaties with you if you desire peace
give it to US on these grounds do not de
Jude yourselves with the phantom which tell,
you that your Union is unhrOken /; if such an
argument were entirely legitimate, We would
say your sasters will be greater than ours
1t may be true that you cannot do well without
us; we know We are necessary to your com
merciaI prosperity. but you have let the time
go by when such considerations on your par;
would be available; you must make up your
mind TO consent to the separation which ha,
been decreed if you cannot consent to such
a separation. either by peaceful secession oil
revolution. on account of Constitutional OBJ
e.ructions. then run up the white 1,g, and
meet Us in convention, and let us, by Oul
representatives, agree npOn the conditions
and terms of our separsiion if you decline
this proffer, let the dead p rst bury its dead
and let US turn over a new leaf of blood anC
of death. We will fight you till you ar,
willing 10 retire, or till we are no more. In
yasion in such war, cannot always be OF
ooe side. II is yours now-hereafter it may
Be ours We have shrunk from this war unit
we can d. so no longer you must decide th'
character and .xteut OF its future, and witt
your decision We will be content.
Such l. our decision, desire and determine
ton.
Capt. EMMETT MCDONALD, a Union man
was among-t the prisoners taken at CAM
IL