The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-04-19
Tennessee and the War Question.

tennessee gave no votes to Mr.. Lin
coin. Her people repudiated with one
mind the creed upon which his friends at
Chicago asked their suifragcs. That creed
was sectional and ran counter to their
views of right, equality and justice, They
were overpowered by numbers, and Mr..
Lincoln was elected to the Presidency
Tennessee was warned that such an event
would lead TO an attempted dismembcr-
meut of the Union. That warning has
been fulfilled in every particular. AT the
same time her people were advised that
such an event would afford no .justifiable
cause in itself for revolution ond dis
memberment Of the Union, and admon-
ished not to take sides with those who
had predetermined to break up the Gov
crnment. They thus had notice of the
probable course of events. and time TO
make up their minds against the approach
cs OF the Seccssionists. they did so, and
declared their decision and purpose on
the 9th February to stand by the Union
and to sustain and uphold the Federal
flag, Notwithstanding the election of
man to the Presidency whose opinions
were distastelul to them. This determin-
alton proceeded from their calm Judgment
and their loyalty and devotion to the Fed
eral Constitution, and not from any love
to Mr.. Lincoln, or from any admiration
of the principles upon which he went into
power. At the time they made this no.
ble and patriotic declaration Of attach
ment to the Union, Mr.. Lincoln had not
been inauguratcd, and nothing had oc.
Cured on the part of the Federal Admin
istration then existing, to shake or weak
on their devotion to the Union. They
took it as 1t was and stood by it as it was.
Between that time and the present our
State has spared no pains to effect an ad
justment of our unfortunate difficulties
She has united in council with her sisters
both in the North and South, and agreed
with them on 4 plan of settlement, which
she approved and thought ought to he
satisfactory to all the parties to the dis
pute. That plan was not accepted by
dominant at least so far as this question.
which required two third vote. was con-
cerned-a Congress that refused refer
cnce of it to the people. This she tolera-
ted with the conf lent hope and trust
that the incoming President would do
nothing to forfeit the respect or ALLEVIATE
the confidence Of the American people,
while yet the grave question of reconcilia
ton were i'll judgment Though in terms
equivocal she hailed with satisfaction the
inaugural address of the President which
enabled her to conclude that the policy
of the Administration would be peaceful
and conciliatory. While there was peace
the hope that swelled in her brave and
patriotic heart that the Union was not in
reality dissolved; that whilst the reason
and judgment Of the American people
were left free to act upon the momentous
questions presented to them, there was Il
prospect that errors, wherever they may
have occurred. nil ht be corrected, that
false steps. wherever taken, might be re-
traced. and the Union in all its M este
dimensions and glory might be restored
on the free consent of a great people gull
ty Of mistakes and freely acknowledging
and nobly correcting them.
There is no patriotic son of hers who
would not rejoice in the realization and
fruition ofsuch hope. But the indica-
tions from! the North and the South, are
that the arbitrument of war is to be resort
ed to for solution and decision of our
troubles. This is not the choice OF Ten
ncssee. Let that be understood at the
outset. 1t is contrary TO her wishes, her
views Of republican liberty. Her people
ilatter themselves that they are yet capa
b!e of selfgovcrnment, and that in peace,
without resorling to bayonets and cannon
balls. But if war is inagurated against
her wishes and advice, it will cast upon
her the responsibility of either taking
sides with one or the other, or of acting
independently of both. This alterna-
tives will certainly present themselves
the moment war is commenced: and in
view of this contingency, we desire to call
the attention Of our readers to passing
events. We wish them TO consider these
most pregnant alternatives. We give
them facts, upon which they can rely,
from day TO day. Our own views and
opinions we present with due Difference
to those OF others. We cannot consent to
wear even the semblance of dictators in
an emergency like this but having been
long and attentive observers of the DRIFT
pressons and offer suggestions with free
dom, and we now say that the alternatives
present to the people of Tennessee, in the
event of actual war, will be the most i'm
portant ever addressed to our reason.-
Shall we assist in war of subjugation
against our Southern brethren? Shall
we aid in the permanent overthrow of d
government to which we are so devotedly
attached, by sustaining with our lives
and our fortunes sectional administers
ton of that government which in theory
denies us equality of right and of proper
ty? Or shall we, by an act of revolution dis
solve our relations with that government
and JON the Confederate States?" o.
shall we act independently of both by
forming government of our own, in con
nection with such other States as may
agree with us, under q constitution which
will secure all our rights and meet oul
approval? These are the questions. How
ever unpalatable. they must be consider
cd and determined. With the first flow
of blood we must consider them. All ar,
fraught with difficulty and bristle witt
danger. The two first, on our cspousinl
either, may lead to civil strife among our
selves. The last will land lock us anC
make us insignificant to all the rest of the
world. Let us direct our thoughts t.
these great questions, and for the pres
ent hold ourselves in the best attitude t
secure our own present safety and that o
our children, by avoiding hasty conclu
sions and standing where we are.
The Requisition upon North Caro-
lima.
Ralcigh, April l5.-Gov. Ellis received
dispatch from Secretary Cameron to
rinht sovino that a ranniSil i'm ,yonll la