Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-02-06

Declaration of the immediate causes
which induce and just lily tine Secession
raj Union. reported by Hr CI n Of
Marshal, from Special G Oh pre-
pare Declaration, &c
In the momentous step which our State has taken
in dissolving its connection with the government of
which so long formed part, It is but Just that
we should declare the prominent reasons which
have induced our course.
Our position is thoroughly identified with the in
stitutiOn Of slaverythe greatest material interest
Of the world Its labor supplies the products which
constitute by far the largest and most important
portions of the commerce Ofthe earth. These pro-
ducts are peculiar to the climate verglrg on the
tropical regions and by an imperious law of na-
ture, none but the black race bear exposure to
the tropical sun. These products have become ne
cessitles Of the world, and blow at slavery Is
blow at commerce and civilization. The blow has
been long aimed at the institution, and at the
point of reaching its contamination. There was
no choice left but submission to the mandates of
abolition. or a dissolution of the Union whose prin-
cpes had been subverted to work out our ruin
That we do not overstate the dangers TO our inst-
tutions reference to few.facts viii sufficiently
prove.
The hostility to this institution commenced before
the adoption Of the Constitution and was manifest
ed in the well known Ordinance of 1857, in regard
to the Northwestern Territory. The feeling in
creased. until in 1890, it deprived the South of
more than half the vast territory acquired from
France. The same hostility dismembered Texas and
seized upon all the territory acquired from Mexico
1t has grown until it denies the right of property
IN slaves and refuses protection TO that right the
high seas in the Territories and wherever the gov
ernment Of the United States had jurisdiction 1t
refuses the admission of slave States into the
Union, and seeks to extinguish it by cenfning 1t
within its present limits, denying the power of
pansion. 1t tramples the original equality of the
SoIth under foot. 1t has nufed the Fugitive
Slave Law IN almost every free State in the Union,
and has utterly broken the compact which our IA
theirs pledged their faith to maintain. 1t advocates
negro equality. socially and politically, and pro-
notes lnSurrecuon and incendiarsm in our midst.
II has enlisted its press its pulpit and its schools
against until the whole popular mind of the
North IS excited and naamed with prejudice. 1t has
made combinations and formed associations to carry
out its schemes of emancipation liz the States
and wherever else slavery exists. 1t seeks not to
elevate support the slave but TO destroy his
present condition without providing a better 1t
has invaded State, and invested with the honors
of martyrdOm the wretch whose purpose was to
apply flames 10 our dwellings, and the weapons of
destruction to our lives 1t has given indubitatle
evidence Of lis design to ruin our agriculture to
PROSTATE industrial pursuits and 10 destroy our
social system. il knows no relentiny or hesitatoT
in its purposes: M tops not in its march of aggrss-
sion. and leaves US no room TO hope for cessation
or for pause. 1t has recently obtained control of the
Government, by the prosecution Of It's unhaliowed
schemes, and destroyed the last expectation of y-
ing together iH friendship and brotherhood
Utter subugation awaits in the Union if we
should consent longer to remain in it. 1t is not
matter of choice but Of necessity. We must either
submit TO degradation, and to the loss OF jsoperty
worth four miiiions of money or must seceae from
the Union framed by our fathers, to secure this as
well as every other species Of property. For far
less cause than this, fathers separated FROM the
Grown of England.
Our decision is made. We follow their footsteps
We embrace the alternative of separation; and for
the reason here stated we resolve to maintain
rights with the full consciousness OF the justice of
our course and the undoubtng belief of our ability
to ma intain it.