The constitutional union., 1861-01-04
The LIemnhis LIeefinr.

Hall on the previous day, and that it was one of the largest and most enthusiastic gather ings seen there for Q number of years The object of the meeting was set forth in a short address by the President, as being an endeay- or to get the Southern States to make some uniform action for the patriotic purpose of saving the Confederacy from precipitate dis ruption, if a possibility of doing so yet re- mains. While the nasty steps which South Carolina has taken, in regard to separate State secession was regretted as inconsiderate and unwise, yet no elimination or condemnation of her people was indulged in. In the i'm mense crowd assembled to make an effort yet to save the country from ruin and the hor- TOTS of revolution, were seen the silyery heads of such honored and venerated citizens as Maj. A. J. DONELsON, Hon. W. C. DUNLAP, Col. J. II. MCMAHON, NAT. ANDERSON and Gen. A. B. BRADFoRD-men who have sus- taincd the glory and honor of their undivided country in the tented field and before the cannon's bolching fire.
 The committee appointed to draft a series of resolutions reported the following which were unanimously adopted We indorse the sentiments contained in these resolutions, en- tire and without exception;
 WHEREAS, The continued existencoof the Fed cral Union is now in imminent peril from the hos il, -f., .Fa lf horn States and people upon the Constitution. rights and property of the people of the slayeholding States, and the resistance of the laterto such az gression. And whereas, it is right and proper for us an integral part of this greatrepublie and portion of thepcoPle of the 5layeholding States, suffering alike with our brethren of those States, to give public expression to our opinions upon the present crisis in the political affairs of the Union. and the mode and measure of the rcme- dies or redress that should be applied to arrest the fell spirit of fapatcism and pas9 n that per yades our unhappy land.
 Therefore, be il resolved in the language of our Georgia brethren.
 l. That we rcpudiate the idea tha5 either ofthe slayeAolding States will, nderany circumstances, prove untrue tp her own interests, and the inter- est of her sister States, and the success of com mon cause.
 ? The we repGliatc the delusiye policy of se- session first and cooperation atcrward. Interest, safety, and success, and ordinary respect 10 sister slaycholdin- States, require consultation with at least many will consult, before se- cession; and then if secession be deemed adyisa- ble cooperation in secession and cooperation after secession. Whatcvcr mode, manner or re- dress be adopted. the first step to ifs successful accomul,hmeut is to unite the counscs of those who are equally aggrieyed, and who are sin.ulta- ucou~lv demanding redress, ov at least many as will unite with their counsels.
 ;. That in A5-ty, ilI-adyisod, separate State se- coSsion, We can see nothing but divisions among our people, confusion among the slayeholding States, strife around our fre-des, and ultimate defeat 10 every movement for the effective redress of our grievances.
 i. That in the consultation and cooperation of the -lascholJiu@S States. wcre"oguZc thcmaintain- auec of our rights and quality, the preservation of our laws the peace of Csr families. the sCcu~- ty of our property. the harmony of our people the peaceful division of the public property, if disuuion must ensue and the success of whatever plan or redress may be agreed on and adopted.
 Be u .tartLer resoired. That We willuse every eff fort in the power of free, enlightened and Chris tian people, to bring about speedy, full and f. nal settlement of the slavery question in all is bearings, the basis of the present agitation, and if possible to restore 8 fralerual feeling of good will and amity among our whole people, North and South. and thereby forever perpetuate our present Union and form of Government. That il is our deliberate opinion that this last and final effort should be made ill the Union, un- der the Constitution and laws of that Union, and not out of it, unless and until all such efforts shall have therein and thercunder failed upon a fair trial
 That to this end We do hereby earnestly request and recommend that the delegation df Tennessee. to be assembled on the 7th of January next shall call q convention of the people of the State of Tennessee. to meet Qt as early a period will comport with the dignity of the State and the magnitude of the questions 10 he brought before thern in order hat the State may be enabled to speak therein by the authority of hcrsovcrcignty.
 And VIC further request and recommend that this convention shall invite and solicit the forma- ton of q convention of delegates from all the Southern slayeholding States, to be selected or ecc ed upon the basis of the present representa- ton of each of said States n the Congress Of the United States.
 That this convention may set forth fully and fairly. without passion, but firmly, ail the wrongs and grievances suffered bv them and their respect i've States from the violations and infractions of the Constitution and laws of the Union by tAc legislatures and people of the Northern or free States, upon the subject of slavery and all other subjects touching our present difficulties and de- mand full and ample redress of all such grev anccs upon terms just and honorable to each sec ton, and satisfactory to the aggrie' ed States.
 That in our opinion these remedies should be applied. not rashly. and with indecent haste, but promptly, firmly, and without any unreasonable delay
 That after or reasonable demands shall have been made and fully heard by our aggressors and the proper redress by them refused, then do hereby pledge ourselves, each 10 the other, as brethren and citizens Of the State of Tennessee, and to the people of sister slavcholdng States 10 take with them such action as will best com port with our common safety and peace, and abide with them the consequences.
 E1s1iae3 That while We are opposed to separate State secession. without consultation, who are as cmphatically opposed to the Federal Government using force 10 cocrce q sovereign State into sub- mission. which has seeded.
 In the language of Edward Everett, it is q con tradic,i9n in terms, and comes loaded with the death-smcu from fields wet with brothers blood.
 After the adoption of these, Ex-Goy- ernor NEIL s. BROWN was introduced, when he addressed the meeting in one of the most patriotic manly and well-timed speeches we have ever seen upon the present distracted condition of the country, and the duty of all who loved the land of their birth, and desired peace and prospasity to discord and civil strife He believes that by proper and 15pT,rociritotn oction fha +roubIas which