Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-01-30

OF the existing questions which now threaten
the Union. They were delivered to me on
Thursday, the 24th inst. BY ex-President Ty
Ter, who has left his dignifed and honored re-
tirement, In the hope that he may render
service to his country in this its hour OF
peril.
The resolutions, it will be perceived. ex-
tend an invitation TO all such States, wheth-
er slayeholding or non-slayeholding, as are
willing to unite with Virginia in an earnest
effort to adjust the present unhappy contro-
versies in the spirit in which the Constitu-
tion was originally framed and consistent
with its principles, so as to afford to the peo-
pie of the elavehelding States adequate guar
antees for the security of their rights; to
appoint Commissioners to meet on the Alb
day OF February next, in the city OF Wash
| ingten. Similar Commissioners were ap-
pointed by Virginia to consider, and, if prac-
ticable, agree upon some suitable adjust
ment.
/ confess hail this movement on the part
of Virginia with great satisfaction. From the
past history of this ancient Commonwealth,
we have the fullest assurance that what she
has undertaken, she will accomplish, if it can
| be done by able, enlightened, and persevering
efforts. 1t is highly gratifying to know that
other patriotic States have appointed, and are
appointing, Commissioners to meet those of
Virginia in council. When assembled, they
will constitute body entitled, in an eminent
| degree, TO the confidence of the country. The
General Assembly has appointed ex-President
Tyler, who is here, as Commissioner to the
President of the United States, and also
Judge John Robinson, by like vote, a Com
missioner to the State of South Carolina, and
| the other States that have seeded. or shall
secedes With instructions respectfully to re-
quest the President of the United States, and
the authorities of such States, to agree to
abstain, pending the proceedings contempia-
ted Fby the action of this General Assembly,
| from any and all acts calculated to produce
collision of arms between the States and
the Government of the United States.
However strong may be the desire to en-
ter into such an arrangement, am conyinc-
ed that do not possess the power, and Con-
gress alone, under the war making power,
can exercise the discretion of agreeing to
abstain from any and all acts calculated to
prevent q collision of arms between this and
any other Government. 1t would therefore
be a usurpaiion for the Executive to attempt
to restrain their hands by an agreement in
regard to matters over which he has no con-
troll. If he were thus to act, they might pass
laws which he should be bound to obey,
though in conflict with his agreement. Un-
der existing circumstances my present actual
power is confined within very narrow limits.
1t Is my duty. at all times TO protect aud de-
lend the public property within the seceeding
States. as lar as may be practicable, and es-
pecially to employ Ibe constitutional means
TO protect the property of the United States
and to preserve the public peace at this the
seat of the Federal Government Ii the Sc
ceding States abstain from any and all acts
calculated to produce a collision of arms,
then the danger, SO much to be deprecated,
will no longer exist.
Defence, and not aggression, have been
the policy OF the Administration from the be-
ginning. but, whilst / can enter Tito no such
engagement as that proposed. / cordially
commend it to Congress with much conf
dence that it will meet their appreciation. to
abstain from passing any law calculated to
produce collision of arms pending the pro-
ceedings contemplated by the action of the
General Assembly of Virginia.
l am one of those who will never despair
of the Republic. yet cherish the belief that
the American people will perpetuate the
Union of the States on some terms just and
honorable for all sections of the country. l
trust that the mediation of Virginia will be
the destined means, under the providence of
God, of accomplishing this inestimable benefit.
Glorious as are the memories of her past his
tory, such an achievement, both in relation
to her own fame and the welfare of the whole
country, would surpass them all.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
The consideration of the message was post
poned till tomorrow.