Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-06-04
FOR STATE SENATOR,
GEN, WASHINGTON BARROW.
FOR REPRESENTATIVE,
IR A p. j d n E 5.
The East Tennessee Union Conven
ton.

The East Tennessee Union Conven.
ton.
Owing to a miscarriage of the mails, We
have not received the Knoxville Wing o.
Saturday, the number of that paper which
we presume, contained the proceedings of the
Union Convention, called to meet in Knox
Vile on the 3Oth ult. The only intimation
we have of the character Of its proceedings
lie found in the following extract of dispatch
from Knoxville, which we find in the ". o.
Data of Saturday
KNOXVILLE, Tenn, May 81.
The so-ealled Union Convention is in ses-
sion here, and Andy johnson speaking.
A resolution passed by the Convention de-
clares, in substance, that if seventy thousand
votes are cast against secession, it (the Con-
yention) recommends resistance to the act OF
secession; if less, submission.
If this is correct statement of the position
taken in the resolution referred to, there will
be no serious division in Tennessee after the
election. All the indications point to an
overwhelming vote in favor of the Declare
ton of Independence, and for union with the
Confederate States, whilst that of the opposl-
ton will be far below that which the Conven-
ton names as the signal for raising the stand
ard of rebellion. The cause of Independence
is growing daily, and we feel confident that
if the canvass could be prolonged two weeks,
the opposition would not poll vote respect
able in numbers. Wherever OR speakers are
card by the people, wherever the facts and
arguments which make the cause invincible
f,ll fhQrn tOnnd the
greatest unanimity of sentiment.
We shall be gratifed if the position of the
Union Convention, as represented above, is
not conditioned upon the concurrence of otH-
er eontingencies-sucha as fair election, and
an unrestrained exercise of the right of suf-
frage These were contingencies which the
more ultra of the Unionists were disposed to
demand as the measure of their submission.
But who could decide as to the fairness of the
election, or the freedom of the ballot? After
all exciting contests there is disposition
generally on the part of the Vanquished to
complain of unfairness and in advance of
the ensuing election we hear charges of an
intention on the part of supporters of indie
peudence to over-awe and terrify the OppO-
sition. We hope these charges have not been
thus made with view to palliating the re-
fusal- of Unionists to attend the polls, AID by
decreasing the aggregate vote in this man
ner. give apparently some grounds for the
cry of reign of terror, and the like.
The questions to be determined Saturday
are of the most vital impOrtahee-they affect
the lives, fortunes, and honor of every Ten
nessean alike. 1t is the highest duty Of ev-
cry voter to make his determination known
through the ballot box, and thereafter to sub
NIT to the verdict which it renders, whether
it be for OF against him. In an election so
momentous in its consequences, there should
be no attempt. in any quarter, to intimidate;
every one should be permitted to decide for
himself the destiny he chooses. If any pre-
fer chains and slavery to freedom and indie
pendence, and wish TO express such choice,
let them do so without hindrance. The ignO-
miny and the shame will be theirs. The
great masses of the people OF Tennessee will.
never incur the Unreasonable depth of
odium which attaches to an involuntary
choice of that character. They would rather
call upon the mountains to fall upon and
crush, or the earth to open and bury them
They will be free or perish in the attempt.
No true friend of Independence in our
State desires hostile collision with any por-
ton of our brethren of the Southern States,
much less with Tennesseans. The utmost har-
mony and unanimity is sought for and it is
devoutly hoped that after the 9Th, when the
State has spoken, all her children will with
one accord, stand by and support, and de-
fend her decision. The public safety demands
this much, and no one who has proper re-
gard for his fellow-countrymen, his neighbors,
and friends, will resist the demand.