Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-05-11

grated in the fundamental laws OF the STATE. 1eur
representatives have therefore steereo cear Oh the
mooted question of secession, and submitted re-
evolutionary document which, If ratified by the pop
Tar vote will sever the ties that bind Tennessee to
her enemies and oppressors, and idt after al is the
object to be attained, by whatever name 1t may be
The military league which has been formed with
the Southern Confederacy is also submitted with
this address It is measure of safety imperous-
ly demanded by the war that has been made upoa
our State. In accomplishing this object we have
fallen back upon the lessons of our ancestors and
regarded the promptlngs of self-preservation in
forming alliances when different parties are threa-
tened with common danger. Our State is andyna-
ed;,we must lave weapons placed in the hands of
our volunteers to defend the freedom of the Sou TIL
The Confederate States aid in this all impor-
tant matter. We must have common head to direct
the armies ofefreedom Those States furnis in their
Chief Magistrate, soldier who has proven his ca
paeity to lead upon the hardest fought batte-feds
known to the history of American warfare. Our
people must be relieved, too, from the burden of
keeping up separate and distinct military organi-
ZatlOn- by the terms Of this contract, IL will be
seen that the expenses of the State are to be trans
ferred to the common Confederacy, that the South
is forming, and will be paid from the fruitful
sources of impost duties LEVIED upon commerce
when peace is established.
This league places Tennessee where she deserves
to stand--in company with the old States of Yir-
ginia, North Carolina South Carolina and Georgia,
whose histories are redolent with the glories of
past struggles for liberty and whose sons are now
prepared to stand upon their ancient battle fields
TO emulate the deeds of their ancestors. This alli-
ance places the State too in close compact with the
younger States of the South, with whom 1t is inds-
pensably connected by thousand ties.
1t is gratifying to know the league referred to
meets the approval of men entertaining heretofore
all shades of opinion Let it be remembered, that
the Legislature, impelled as it was, by imperious
necessity in the formation of this alliance, is only
the more confident in tine correctness of its policy
by tie conscious belief that it has formed for the
State no gnoble or degrading association. Whatever
may be thought of the action of the States that have
left the Union, in regard to their supposed precpi
fancy all must admit that their legislative action
has, been marked by sound conservatism and pro-
found craftsmanship. These States have ventured
upon no new or untried experiment in the forma-
ton of their government; they have wisely refrain
ed from making new constitution, but have piously
adopted the framed by the authers of Independ-
ence, and under which Tennessee has always abided
a State-some alterations and changes have been
made, but only such as time and experience had
suggested as important improvements 1t may be
truthfully dUerTed that the Constitution of the United
States is nOlo the permanent Constitution of the
Confederate States: that noble instrument has no
existence IN any other State Or Government. 1t
has been superseded IN the North by military
despotism; it no longer shields the people of Ten
nessee; but this admirable framework of freedom
still regarded as the ark of political safety, and
strengthened in its massive proportions has been
erected upon Southern SOIL and under its broad
Rgs generations of freemen will repose in safety.
1t is painful TO reflect that Tennessee has no rep
resentation in any National or Confederate council;
her gallant soldiers will go forth to battle for a
common cause and but for a short time, at least,
her voice cannot be heard, only through the ballot
box, in June.
1t is submitted that Tennessee has but one of two
alternatives-ether to attempt to maintain a dis
and ia ifu m ita with fha
other States of the South Ii you decide on the for
mer, provisions should at oEce be made for de-
partments of government A Post Office and De-
partment of Foreign Affairs will be necessary, be-
sides other arrangements peculiar to separate ma
tIonality. We ask if the people will not be at once
crushed by the burthens of taxation? The idea of
Border State Confederacy must be abandoned. The
free States embraced in this plan are the first to
lead off for Southern subjugatiOn. Through their
Governors they have proclaimed that there is no
such thing as neutrality. and have already impu-
IDENTIFY demanded that Kentucky shall take the field
against the slavehoding States. With them Tennes-
see can have no UniOn 1t is 10 be hoped that a
military league that has been already commenced
in the South will be promptly formed with the
States of kentucky, Maryland and Missouri. They
demand oar sympathes and will receive our sup
port if required. Missouri is an unarmed giant,
but will respond to the calls of the South soon
she finds that the other States are ready 10 come to
her aid Through the action of q treacherOus Gov
ernor Maryland has been manacled by the chains of
the tyrant The heart Of the South is with her. and
Its sons stand ready to drive the invaders from her
soil, and to give TO her the rights that traitors
and usurpers seeking to destroy. Our noble and
gallant neighb0r. Kentucky is an unarmed knight,
confronted by the reckless assassion whose dagger
is ready to be driN en- TO his heart. The State of
Tennessee the whole South, will offer their to
that gallant State. and who now stand ready to
pour out their blood a rich hbation upon the
affairs of the dark and bloody ground. Let past
ne
of common danger and let US work for united
South Though our enemies are strong, and united
in their unholy purposes yet standing upon onr
own side and defending our alters and our friends,
the cause is too sacred to be los-God will prosper
the right; that Being who defended the fathers will
not desert their children while untedly battling for
the inalienable rights of man.
When this body met, it determined to sit with
closed doors. We aware that this mode of legs-
lation is objected TO by II is the first time in
the history of the State that the rule had been adopt
ed because in that history case has occurred to
call forth its exercise. The proceedings of the
ventOn that framed the Declaration of independence
were in secret. The convention that framed the
Constitution of the United States held its secret SEES
sons and the Senate of the United States not unfre
quenty sits with closed doors. Those who have
taken occasion to condemn as, may be purer than
those who framed the Declaration OF independence,
and the Constitution of the United States but we
very much doubt whether they will have greater
hold upon public confidence. But the reasons for our
course are our best justification: the country was
excited, and the public demands imperious. We de-
sired to legisate uninfuenced sand unretarded by
the crowds that would otherwise have attended our
deliberations /; but still more important than this.
the western portion of Tennessee was in an exposed
condition, with no military defence whatever the
towns and counties bordering on the Mississippi
river were liable be assailed at any hour by the
armed forces collected at Cairo and we desired that
no act of legislation on part, should form the
pretext for such INVASION long as it could be
avoided. Our fellow-citizens of West Tennessee,
and of Arkansas, abOrng night and day to erect
batteries on the river to prevent descent OF the
enemy. A duty that we owed to them and to
the cause of humanity demanded that we should
not make action known till the latest possible
moment. If some desired light, while we were at
work equally desired to save the blood and the
property Of Tennesseans. Our doors have now
been thrown open, the Journals will be publls he'd
every uote is recorded. and he must be fauhfnde'
indie ed who will complain after hearing the reasons
that prompted our actions.
We have briefly touched the principal subjects
that engaged the attention of the Legislature. Ten
Dessee has taken her position and has proudly de-
termined to throw her banners to the breeze and
will give her strength to the sacred cause ofteedom
for the WHITE MAN OF THE SOUTH.
r. G. PAYNE.
Chairman of Joint Select Committee.
EDMUND J. WOoD,
S. S. STANTON,
j. A. MINIS,
G. CAN'T,
W. W. GUY,
RoBT. B. HURT,
BENZ. J. LEA,
JOSEPH G. PICKETT.
The Issue OF War Accepted-Letters OF
Marque and Reprisal-
In the Confederate Congress, on Monday, 9Th inst
the following act was passed in secret session, and
secrecy removed:
An Act recognizing the existence of between the United
States Confederate States and concerning Letters Of
Msrque, Prizes and Prize Goods.
WHEREAS The earnest efforts made by this Gov
ernmeIt TO establish friendly relations between the
Government of the United States and the Cenfeder-
ate States and settle all questions of disagreement
between the two Governments upon principles of
right nstice equity and good faith have proved I'M
avalng by reason of the refusal Of the Government
of the United States to holdany intercourse with the
Commissioners appointed by this Government for the
purposes aforesaid, to listen tolany proposal they
had to make for the peaceful solution of all causes
of difficulty between the two Governments: and,
whereas the President of the nted States Of Amer
ZOO has issued his Proclamation making reQulsltlOn