Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-05-01
The C commissioner from the Confed-
crate States.

crate SIateSs
The Legislature assembled yesterday in
Convention, in the Representative Hail. to
hear a speech from the Hon. HENRY w. HUI
LARD, of Alabama, Commissioner to Tennes-
see from the Confederate States. In addition
to the members of the Legislature, there was
q large number of ladies and gentlemen pres
ent. The honorable Commissioner spoke for
something more than an hour, and was fire.
quently interrupted by vehement applause.
He is gentleman of fine presence and pleas
ing address; his speech was admirable in
manner and matter, elegant throughout and
often rising to the point of true pathos and
eloquence Of the three leading men from
Alabama, who have spoken in this city, rep
resentatives of the Southern movement, he is
the most winning as an orator. Without the
mental power, and stern elaboration of WAL
KER, or the fire and vehemence of YANCEY,
he exhibits higher degree of culture and
greater attachments. has evidently studied
oratory as an art, and skillfully avails him
self of its graces to charm and beguile his
audience. But, withal he is a logicisn, Wig
orous in attack and adroit in defence. We
shall not attempt to give sketch OF his
speech, which was happy portrayal of the
grievances of the Southern people, the action
of the Confederate States, and the perhdy
of the administration of Mr. Lincoln he
also contrasted the old constitution with that
of the Confederate States, and showed where
in they differed, the latter improving upon
To VTroToia and
Tennessee were peculiarly touching, and
made a profound impression The former
had already thrown of her allegiance TO the
Federal Government, and allied herself with
the Confederate States, and be trusted that
the latter was ready to follow the glorious ex-
ample. The time had come when the South
ern States should maintain their indepen-
dence. A war of subjugatiOn has been in
sugurated, and to succumb would render
them forever degraded They could not be
thus Inundated, even the women and the
little children only large enough to under
stand the word elderly would take up arms
against such fate.
If Tennessee determines to sever her con-
nection with the United States, as, from
present indications, we believe she will, the
mission of Mr.. billiard will become one of
vast Importance. Shall she ally herself i'm
mediateIy with the Confederate States, polit-
icaIly and otherwise? This is a question fer
the people to determine. But few object to
a military alliance-all who favor separation
admit the importance, if not paramount ne
cessitys of this But there is difference OF
opinion as TO the policy of political ALI
ance If Tennessee abandOns the Union, her
interests and her duties will compel her to
unite her destinies with the Confederate
States, ultimately. She cannot remain in a
detached and isolated position politically.
She must unite with those who are nearest
to and sympathize most with her. The ques
ton, therefore, narrows itself down to imme-
diate or ultimate connection with the South
ern Cenfederacy- People of Tennessee, do
not daily; make up your minds and de-
termine at once what you will do.