Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-06-06
The East tennessee Union Cenven-

ing the proceedings of the Union Convention
which met in that city on the 30th ult and cou-
tinued in session ten days, came to band yes
terday. We copy from it the preamble and re-
solutions which were adopted. 1t will be seen
that no such resolution as that which was tel
egraphed to New Orleans, and commented on
by the Patriot of the 4th inst is amongst them.
The Convention adjourned subject to the
call of the President, intending, we cen
lecture, after the election Saturday, if called
together, to make known their views relative
to the result:
In the enumeration of the rights of the cit
izen which have been declared under the
solemn sanction of the people of Tennessee,
there are none which should be more warmly
cherished or more highly estimated than that
which declares, "that the citizens have a right
10 peaceable manner to assemble together
for their common good" And at no time
since the organization of our government
has there beeu an occasion which called so
loudly for the exercise OF that inestimable
right, as that upon which we are now assem-
bled.
Orr Country Is at this moment iu a most
deplorable condition. The Constitution of
the United States has been openly contemn-
ed aud set at defiance, while that OF our own
State has shared no better fate, and, by the
swoI n representatives of the people, has been
utterly disregaided.
Constitutions which in other. days. were
wont to control and give direction to our
public councils. and to those in authority by
the fiat of the people, have bern wholly sup
planted and fanaticsm, passion and pr jul
dice have assumed an al bitrary sway Law
md ord. hos i.,ta to h..ir hon
Cent offices for the safety of the country and
the welfare of tn people, and, in their stead,
Revolution in spite of Its attendant horrors,
has q sed it's hideOus head. The condition
of the country is most perilous, the present
crises most fearful.
In this calamitous state of affairs, when
the liberties of the Ople are SO impeIiled
and their most valued rights endangered 1t
behOves them in their primary meetings and
in all other th, ir accustomed modes, to meet
together, consult calmly as TO their safety.
and with frnaness, give expression to their
opinions aud convictions of right
We, therefore. the Delegates here assem-
bled, repre- enting and rejecting, as we verify
believe, The opinions and wishes of very
large majority of the people OF East Tennes-
see, do resolve and declare.
l. That the evils which now afiict our be-
loved country, in our opinion, are the legltl
maize offspring of the ruinOus and heretlcal
uuctrine OF Secessl0H-that the people OF East
Tennessee have ever b. en- and we believe
still are opposed TO it by very large ma
jority.
That while the country is now upon the
very threshold Of a most ruinOus and desola
ting civil war, il may with truth be said, and
we protest before God, that the people isO
far as we can see) have done nothing to pro-
duce it.
8. That the people of Tennessee when the
on stion was submitted to them Id February
last, decided, by an overwhelming majority,
that the relations OF the Stale towards tue
Federal Government should not be changed
thereby expressing their preference ior the
Union and Constitution under which they
lad lived pfosperously and happily, aud i9-
1orinq, in the most emphatic manner. the idea
hat they bad been oppressed by the General
in any of its acts-legislative,
x cutive or judicial.
4. That in view of so decided an expression
If the will of the people, in whom ''all pow
r is inherent and on whose authority all free
are found q, !" and in the honest
conviction that nothing has traDspireG since
hat time, which should change that deliber-
tie Judgment of the people; we have contem-
plated with peculiar emotions the pertiDacity
With which those in authority have labored to
override the Judgment of the people, and to
,ring about The very result which the people
themselves had SO overwhelmingly con-
emned.
5. That the Legislative assembly is but the
,reature of the Constitution of the State, and
las no power to pass any law or to exercise
ny act OF sovereignty, except such as may
II authorized by that instrument, and believ-
ng as we do, that in their recent legislation
he General Assembly have disregarded the
of no fFQnsNPnnpd
legitimate power; we feel constrained, and
We invoke the people throughout the State,
g they value their liberties. to visit that
as Y, incnnsiderale and unconstitutional
= i lation with decided rebuke, by voting, |
70 the 9Th day of next month against both the |
ct of secession and of union with the |
States"
That the Legislature of the State, with |
ut having first obtained the consent of the
euple, had no authority to enter into ''Mil-
AIRY Lragne." with the Confederate States"
Ding TO put the State OF Tennessee in hostile
rray ag inst The government of which it
len was. and is still member. Such legis-
,iiOn in advance of the expressed will of the
e. pc to change their governmental rela-
uns. was an act of usuI patton, and should
= visited with the severest condemnation OF
le people.
T. That the forming of such military
eague," and thus practically assuming the
titude of an enemy towards the General
(this too in the absence oil any
nstile d, mOnstration against this State,) has
ffoI ded The pref. xt for raising, arming and
Iuipping large military force. the xp-nse
which must be enormous. and will have to
e paid by the p~ople, Aud 10 do this, the
ixes. already 0neTous enough, will nteessa-
Iy have TO be Ueyy sre1tiy increased. and pro-
lbly to an extent beyond the ability of the
e"pIe to pay.
g. That the General Assembly, BY passing
law authorizing the volunteers to vote
herever they may be on the day OF election.
beIber in oT out of the Stite-and in Offer
q 10 the Confederate S. ates" the Capt. oil
Tennessee, together with other scts-have
and stretched their auihnri-
To an extent not within their constitution
limits. and not justified by the usases OF
e country.
9. That Government being instituted for :
e common bent fit, the doctrine OF non-re
stance against arbitrary power and oppres-
on Ia absurd, slaviSh aud destructive oil
e good and happiness OF mankind"
10. That the position which the people of
IT sister State of Kei lucky have assumed
this mOmentous crisis, commands our high
It admiratiOn-their interests are our inter-
policy is the true policy, as we
.lieve, of Tennessee and all the border
Lates. And in the spirit of freemen, with
n anxious desire to avoid the waste OF the
lood aud the treasure of our Stale, we ap-
cal TO the people OF Tennessee, while it is
ct In their power, to come up in the majesty
their strength and restore Tennessee to
er true position.
IL. We shall await with the utmost ankle
? the decision OF the people OF Tennessee,
n the day OF next month, and sincerely
rust that wiser counsels will pervade the
reat fountain of freedom, (the People) than
Gems 10 have actuated their constituted
gen's
II. For the promotion of the peace and
armony of the people OF East Tennessee, il
deemed expedient that this Convention
hould again ass. mble-therefore,
Resolved. That when this Convention ad-