Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-05-01
WEDNESDAY MORNING, MAY I, 1854. !.
rheIestsiaIure.

The General Assembly of Tennessee, we trust is
dining its whole duty to the people Of Tennessee in
his extraordinary crisis Being in secret sessions
its proceedings are entirely unknown to all who do
m, narticipate in its deliberations We approve of
the polcy. But a word in season may not be out
# Mace to avoid a fatal mistake on their part.
The enemy is already on our border. He is march
ing his legions in untold numbers. The Presidents
Proclamation is not only responded to fully, but
States and cities are raising extra volunteer forces
to assist in the subjugaton of the South. The
journals of the North boil over with the enthusiasm
of the war spirit, urging the Administration not to
be content with defensive operations but to press
forward his hostile columns into the slave States
and proclaim a war Of determination or victory
Several thousand troops are placed at the gateway
of our commerce, the mouth of the Ohio. Cincinnati
is converted into camp Not less than 2O,OOOtroops
are at Washington. Our own people are ready to
meet the barbarian invaders, if the Legislature Will
only do its duty and place arms IN their hands, or
ganize their forces dissolve the hated connection
with the Northern States, and form Confederation
with the Southern States, who are our only true
and reliable friends The people are for these
measures and will ratlfy them when they are sub
mtted to them. The Legislature should move fully
up to this great crisis. If they do, they will be
universally regarded as men who have the wisdom,
the irmness. and the patriotism to meet great
q ID extraordinary emergency, with such measures
as it demands. If they do not, no can answer
for the oonseq 1ences. 1t may inaugurate civil
strife, anarchy ami confusion in our midst Tie
people will then take the revolution in their own
lnds We daily the spirit of patriotism evinctd
that is impatient for embodiment in the legislative
ac's of our State. 1t is crisis that politicians can
not and ought not to control Our firesides are in
dlnger; our honor is threatened. Our wives ard
children are not safe from butchery. Can any leg
islator with heart in his bosom. stop 10 quarrel
about prejudices that ought to be buried in the
deep bosom Of oblivion, when such state ofthings
exists! Such a man in high public position will
be inevitably dishonored for all coming time. We
trust there are none such. We confde to the pres
ent Legislature, and believe it will come up to the
full measure of the public confidence and expecta-
ton But TO avoid mistakes, we admonish the Rep
resentatiyes ef the people that now is the time TO
act. They are expected to act promptly, III rough
ly ard efficiently. Wetherefore entreat them not to
lose an hour, or a minute in accomplishing their
work The recommendations of the Governors
message meet an enthusiastic response from the
great masses of the people.
They are endorsed by an overwhelming majority,
not less than fifty thousand. Let policy be thrown
to the winds and let action, action be inscribedon
the shield of every Tennesseean, henceforth.