Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-03-05

porta'IS1 VI PFefar1nS 81 onceJ 1or t1s eonsump-
The slaveholding interest is one, and 1t seems To
clear that the slagehoding States ought speedilv
to be organized under enc general Government
United, they are strong enough to maintain them
selves against the world They have the terriforv
the resources, the population the public spirit the
institutions, which, under a genial and fostering
Constitution, would enable them to become one
of the first people of the globe. And if the North
shall have wisdom to see her true policy, two Gov
ernments upon this continent may work out the
problem of human liberty mere successfully than
one Let the two people maintain the closest alli-
ance for defence against foreign foe or at least
let them be agreed that no European power shall
ever set foot on American SOIL and that no type of
government but the republican shall ever be toIeI-
ased here and what's TO hinder the fullest and reest
development Of our noble Institutions The sepa-
ration changes nothing but the external relations of
the two sections. Such division of the Union is
net ike thesrevoluton of State. where the inter
nal system of government is subVerted where laws
are suspended and where anarchy reigns. The
country might divide into two great nations tonor=
row, without jostle or jar; the government of
each state might go on as regularly as before
the lew be as supreme, the order as perfect
II the passions of the people could be kept
from getting the better of their judgments. 1t
Is great advantage in the form of our Con-
federacy, that radical revolution can take place
without confusion and without anarchy. Every
state has perfect internal system at work already
and that undergoes no change, except in adjusting it
TO Its altered external relations. Now given this
system OF States, with every element of perfect
government in full and undistuPbed operation what
there in the circumstances of one Confederacy of
divided interest that shall secure freor and safer
development than tt0o Confederaces each represent
ing an undecided interest? Are not two homogcne-
Gus Unions stronger than one that is heterogeneous
Should not the life of the Government be enc? We
do not therefore that thing will be lost to free
dom by the Union of the South under separate
Government. She viii carry into every institution
that she ever had before-her State Constitutions.
her Legislatures, her Corts of Justice her halls Of
learning she now possesses. She will
put these precious interests under a Government
embodying every principle which gave value to the
old one. and amply adequate to protect them. What
will she lose of real freedom? We confess that we
cannot understand the defamation that with the
American Union. American institutions are gone
Each section of Union will preserve them and cher
ish them. Every principle that has ever made us
glorious, amp made our Government a wonder will
abide with The sections, separately will not be
as formidable to foreign powers as before. That
is ALL But each section will be strong enough to
protect ITSELF and both together can save this CONT
nent for Republicanism forever.
Indeed it is likely that both Governments win be
purer, in consequence of their rivalry and the d.
minuticn of the extent of their patronage They
will both cherish intensely the American feeling
both maintain the pride Of American character and
oOtn lry 20 MAKE their governments at nome what
they would desire to have then appear TO be abroad
Once take away all pretext for medding with one
another's peculiar interests, and do not see but
that the magnificent visions of glory which Our
imaginations have delighted TO picture as the des
tiny Of the Anglo-Saxon race on this North Ameri-
can continent, may yet be fully realized They
never can be, if we continue together TO bite and
devour one another.
But, whether it be for veal or woe the South has
no election. She is driven 10 the wall and the only
question Is, will she take care of herself in time
The sooner she can organize general Government
the better: That will be centre of unity, and
once combined, we are safe.
We cannot close without saving few words tn
the people of the North as 10 the policy which it
becomes them to pursue. The whole question Of
peace or war is in their hands. The South is sim
ply standing on the defensive and has no notion of
abandoning that attitude. Let the Northern people
theu seriously consider and consider in the fear of
God, how, under present circumstances, they
can best conserve those great interests Of
freedom OF religion and of order, which
are equally dear to us both, and which
they can fearfully leopard. II their counsels
incline to peace, the most friendly relations can
speedily be restored aud ,he most favorable trea-
ties entered into, We should feel ourselves the
joint posseSs0rz OF the Continent, and should be
drawn together by ties which unite no other people
We could, indeed, realize all the advantages of the
Union, without any of Its inconveniencies The
cause of human liberty would not even be retarded
If the North can rise to level with the exigencies
of the occasion. If, the other side their thoughts
incline to war, we solemnly ask them what they
expect to gain? What interest will be promoted
What end, worthy of great people. viii they be
able to secure2 They may crafty their bad pas
sions they may try to wreak their resentment upon
the seeding States and they may infet large
amount of injury disaster and suffering. But what
have they gained2 Shall free people be governed
by their passionsg Suppose they should CONQUER us
" Wi ua9H will hold in
subjections How many garrisons, and how many
men, and how much Treasure, will it. take to keep
the South in order as a conquered province? and
where are these resources to come from2 After
they have subdued US, the hardest pszs Of their
task will remain They will have the wolf by the
ears.
But, upon what QFoands do they hope to conquer
US? They Enow US well-they know our numbers
they know our spirit, and they know the value
which we set upon eur homes and firesidea. We
have fought for the glory of the Union, and the
world admired u.s. but it was nA such fighting as we
shall do for wives, our children and sacred
honor. The very women of the South, like the
Spartan atrons, will take hold of shield and buck
lpr, and our boys at school will 60 to the el in all
the determination of disciplined valoF Conquered
we can never be. 1t would be madness TO attempt
it; and after years Of blood and slaughter, the par
ties would be just where they began, except that
they would have learned to hate one another with
an intensity of hatred equalled only in hell Free
dom would suffer, religion would suffer learning |
would suffer- every human interest would suffer |
from such war. But upon whose head would fall |
the responsibility? There car be but answer. |
We soemnly believe that the South will be guiltiess
before the eyes of the Judge of all the earth. She
has stood in her lot, and resisted aggression.
If the North could rise TO the dignity of their |
present esl,ing this country would present to the
world q spectacle Of unparalleled grandeur. It |
would show how deeply the love of liberty and the
influence af religion are rooted IN Cur people when
a great empire can be divided without confusion !
war, or disorder. Two great people united under |
one government differ upon question Of vital E /
portance to one Neither can conscieRtiously give |
way. In the magnanimtY of their souls. they say, |
let there be no strife between US for are breth> /
ren The land is broad enough for us both. Let us |
part in peace, let divide common inheritance,
adjust our common obligations, and preserving |
sacred treasure common principles, let each set
up for himself. and let the Lord bless US BOTH A |
course like this, heroic sublime, glorious would be
something altogether unexampled in the history of
he world. 1t would be the wonder and aGtonisA- |
nent of the nations. 1t would do more TO command
for American institutions the homage and respect
of mankind, than all the armies and fleets of the
Republic 1t would be victory more august and
imposing than any which can be achieved by
he thunder of the cannon and the shock of battle
Feace ls the peioy OF both North and South. Let
peace prevail, and nothing really valuable is lost
10 save the Union is impossible. The thing for
christian and patriots to aim at now is to save
he country from war. That will be a scourge and
curse. But the South win emerge from it free as
The was before She is the invaded party, and her
Institutions likely to gain strength from the eon
iict. Can the North the invading panty: be as
'ured that she Will not fall into the hands of mill
AIRY despot2 The whole question is with her, and
md We calmly await her decision. We pre-
er peaee-but If war must come, we are prepared
% meet it with unshaken confidence in the God of
battles. We lament the widespread mlschief it will
TO- the arrest it will put upon every holy enterprise
# the CHURCH, and upon all the interests of life;
,Qt the Soath can boldly say to the bleeding, dis
racted country,
e shake not thy cory lecss at mel
Thoa eanst not say did It."