The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-05-03
Qpvernor's MESSAGE.

UtHHeWenS INC ofN1e
and House o., Representatives.
Tho PIRident of the United States
elect according to the forms of the Con.
sti,ution, but upon principles openly hos
tile to i provisions--havmg wantonly
the peoplHof the slave and non-slavebold-
ing States hi this Union, | have conyen-
cd you again ut the seat of Government,
for the purpose of enabling you 10 take
such acti& as will most likely contribute
TO the defence of our rights, the preserva-
ton of our liberties. tile sovereignty of the
State, and the safety OF our people; all OF
which are now in imminent peril by the
nsurpaiions of the authorities at Wash
ington, and the interruptions fanaticism
which runs riot throughout the Northern
States.
The war thus inaugurated is likely to
assume an Importance nearly. il not equal,
to tho struggle OF our revolutionary
fathers, in their patriotic efforts to resist
the usurpations and throw off the tyran-
nical yoke of tho English Government; a
war the duration of which and the good
or evil that must result from it, depends
entirely, in my judgment, upon the read
mess with which the citizens of the South
harmonic as one people, and the alacrity
with which they respond to the demands
of patriotism.
lido not think Unnecessary torecapitulate.
at this late hour, the long train of abuses
to which the people ofrennessee. and our
sister States of the South, have been sub
jeoted by the anti-republcan spirit that
has for many years been manifestipg it.
self in that section, and which has at last
declared itself our open and avowed en-
envy. In the Message which | addressed
to you Mt your called session in January
last. these things were somewhat elabo-
Iately referred TO, MS constituting in my
judgment, the smples. reason for consid-
ering ourselves in imminent danger and
as requiring such action on the part of
the Legislature as would place the State
in an attitude for defence whenever the
momentous crisis should be forced upon
us; and, also rs presenting to the North
the strongest argument for peace, and if
possible, securing reconstruction of the
Union, thus already dissolved by the most
authoritative, formal and matured action
of portion Of the slaveholding States
Minor differences upon abstract questions
the ardent devotion of our people to
the preservation of the Union, originating
with their great loyalty to the Govern
ment-and more hopeful view of the
subject than | had been able to take,
coupled with the supposed peaceful in
tentions of the authorities at Washing
ton, have resulted, II leaving the State
poorly prepcc.ed for the adrealites Which,
are now upon ne.
But unfortunate as this may be, am
nevertheless, encouraged with the belief
that we are at last practically, q unit
ed people. Whatever differences may
have heretofore existed amongst US, grow
ing out of party divisions, as to the right
of Secession as a Constitutional remedy
against Federal usurpation, all admit the
moral right asserted by our fathers. oil
each and every people to resist wrong, and
to maintain their liberties by whatever
means may be necessary; "thst Govern
ments derive their just powers from the
consent of the governed, and that when
ever any form of government becomes
destructive of the end for which it was
created, it is the right Of the people to al
ter or abolish it, and to institute new
government, laying its foundation on
such principles, and organizing its powers
in such form as to them shall seem most
likely toefiect their safety and happiness
Standing by Athis common sentiment;
with the blod Y and tyrannical policy OF
the President kurper fully before u.s. in
the face les of armed soldierly,
marching Tx of Southern suhju-
cation; The of the proud Common
wealth of Tel kee-true to their honor,
true to the or " principles OF free insttu-
tions, true to the lessons of their fathers
and true to their brethren of the South,
the subjects OF a common oppression
have united, almost with one voice, in
declaring their fixed resolve to resist the
tyrant; and in pledgining their lives,
their fortunes, and their sacred honor to
the maintenance Of their rights, and the
rights of their sister States of the South.
II connot be overlooked that, in assum-
ing an attitude of this character-forced
upon us by the remarkable exigency of
the times-we are. in effect, dissoving
our connection with the Federal Union
As established by our fathers, that Union
no longer exists. However much we may
have cherished it heretofore, no intelli-
gent and candid man can deny that it
has ceased to be blessing, and has be-
come curse; that it is no longer high
and sacred means of protection, but an
engine of oppression; that it has ceased
to be bond of brotherhood, and has be-
CDIt u hatCiui OctWtSl COiU-
munities at war. 1t would be idle, there
fore. to speak of ourselves any longer as
members of the Federal Union and while
it is believed by many, whose opinions
are entitled to the highest respect. that.
by reason of the subyerson of the Consti-
tuition by the authorities in power, inau
gurating revolution between the States
thereof, each and every individual is al
raaIy raIaasal from, h;o lo,p, nbl; no ;a,,s
to that government, yet, as best comport-
ing with the dignity of the subject, and
also from due regard to those who may
hold different opinion-and farther
still, that all the world may be advised OF
our action-I respectfully suggest that
our connection with the Federal Union
be formally annulled in such manner as
shall involve the highest exercise of sove-
reign authority by the people of the State,
and best secure that harmony. so much to
be desired, in times like the present. upon
questions even of mere detail. Until this
is done many conscientious citizens may
feel embarrassed in their action from their
supposed relation to the General Govern
ment. In emergencies like the present,
while it Is our duty to act with due DELHI
Grafton and prudence. unbiased as far as
possible by excitement or prejudice, it is
nevertheless of tho highest Importance
that we should act with promptitude and
decision.
Whatever grounds of hope may have
been supposed to exist heretofore for ad-
justment of the difficulties between the
two sections of the Federal Union how
ever anxious we may have been to contin-
ue members of the same common family
with the people of the North, such hope
and expectation no longer exist in the
mind of any rational man, who desires to
maintain the honor and equality of the