Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-02-07
GO TO THE POLLS!
Freemen of Tennessee, go
to the Polls and Vote for
CONVENTION, ? and for
ANTI-C COERCION CANDIDATES.
PEACE OR WAR.
The only Question now before the People.

The Only Question now before the People.
FRRENES OF TENNESSEE The conflict of ouinion
RACES, still RACES amid commissions tremendous and
still there is but question before the Southern
people. Il is question Of peace war; and every
honest man looking to the good of his country the
responsibilities of his day and generation ave- to all
that Time has consumated for the good of man
universal should look this question full in the face.
We have row conflict of opinion equal to the de-
struct.on o. any people, who have not tie soul TO
act in crisis, where nought but decision. unyield-
ing decision can us from the most fearful and
desolating fratricidal war, humanity ever behold.
regret not the conflict for it but to inspire
| my confidence in the sequel But do regret the
apparent lack of decision on the part of men born
and endowed by nature to be free 1t may be cred
liable to the Southern heart 10 desire to perpetuae
the mementoes of National greatness and glory that
! have oershadowed the past. 1t may be commend
able to hold to the last vestge OF Union which the
confederation of these States has made sacred TO the
| memory of our fathers. But it is lack of wisdom
to fail act with one accord upon vital issue that
not only effects State and National glory, property
aid prosperity, but life liberty and all that makes
| the lot of man earth, worthy OF thought
Peace or war is all that is left to and it is
folly to spend our time in sombre lamentations Ger
the dead carcass that disloyalty to Union, because
disoyalty to reason and right has bequeated as
| the fruit of our neglected Tree of Liberty.
We need to concentrate all our thoughts to renew
all our vows; to reanimate all our energies to re-
construct and rebuild the fair Fabric in which
Graded the memorials of truth and justice, Free
dom and Happiness for all future time. Let each
man. then, look the danger to his home and all he
holds dear full in the face, and decide for his
action he shall answer to his conscience and
his God In doing he cannot fail to the lesson
implanted by Heaven in the destiny of all Nations
viz Men fail, Nations fail, but each failure is but
Star amid the dark seasons, that change from time
to time to enlighten some less favored or State
upon the trackess waste of the unseen future.
| would love to give you at length all my impress
sions and the results of collected judgment formed
| in no hasty hour of excited Imagination but time
forbids. Let me say, however, that % This Union
has out-lived its time its pail is spread; its grave
opened, and its requiem is already attuned upon
harps of dissonance and discord, that must thrill
| the heart of hopeful patriots in every land. Yet
while see this, also and know that the bloom
ing olive branch of Peace will wave once more over
hopes and homes in all its wonted freshness and
fragrance. feel deeply impressed with the thought
and why am yet unable to tell, that the only meas
| ure of relief has already been presented before
you, in the honest and heartfelt expressions which
l gave before single State had resumed its place
outside of the COnfederacy In thunder tones
| | would REUTER- it: a united action can alone
SAFE this country; united action for the right of the
| Southern States: save them from war; Less than
this will embroil us IN the most disastrous conflict
that visited upon the tmeserving policy of
| any people.
To me Il is suicidal to hear dissenting voice,
| care not what NAV be our estimate of either the
1
upon the practical question of State sovereignty
invites and provokes the appeal to arms 1t is moth
ing less than self slaughter for any single Southern
State to hesitate regards its action for redress of
grievances or the perpetuation of her Republican
| form of government
If it be for redress she must of and for herself be
determined. If for secession all must be unanimous
to claim influence at home, TO say nothing of respect
abroad. There but light to guide 1t is the
| light of Reason, of Judgment. of right and deter
mined action to maintain it. Nothing less can save
us from the policy and worst usurpatlOns of design
ing demagogues the power and force Of IRRESPONSIBLE
! views and practices, which, if not already. viii
soon be abroad in this land the representatives
of party in blind submission to place and position
| which has already made the wisdom of nation
follv and by an appeal to precedent and form when
| the spirit has fed will wreck every hope of the
| future.
| The party tricksters at Washington can give no
proposition, no compromise, no form of adjustment
| that command the respect OF a single honest
man when he surveys the servility. partiZan AMI
mostly and sefseeking policy that already fills the
land with a stencil from which all lovers Of prilsi
| pie must turn away.
| 1t would be a blessing such as no time country
ever enjoyed if the Federal Capitol at Washington
were swept into the sea- with its blinded occupants
and Its ensnaring emOiuments. that no thought or
! feeling of theirs reflected, could out-live
their overthrow save as they might breathe incense
| to the power that would give the country at least
one chance to be what Nature and her God designed
for all men, viz Free to think, feel and act untram-
I~melled by men measures that look not beyond
| personal gain and selfaggrardisement Why, VIII at
could they propose? Our interests and institu-
| tons are an inheritance dare not compromise.
Our people long subservent to the spirit of conces
sion have almost frittered away that maniness and
| strength of moral purpose, which made US what we
are despite the adverse currents OF conflicting wrong
| by which we have been surrounded.
Are we capable of sefgOvernment? If so, when
| the National compact is broken and its emblems Of
l. la+ 20
this sustaining principle and stand erect for the
right. Is the name of State representative of
reality? If so, when the ghOstly shadows peer and
gibber from the broken affairs Of country, let
US uprear her standard of justice and their breath
| will BECOME the respiration which the memory Of
virtue ever LPeathes. ARE our homes sacred, the
provinces of inyioate dominion, whose sweet notes
of innocence and conflicting aspirations of maturing
power call US to our posts and animate US IN our
duty? Let US protect them from invasiin kin
dred to that which laid Rome in ruins in the proud
est day of her needless power
We have consulted our fears and taken counsel
of our doubts FOR than thirty long years. De-
Gisiye GctiOn was even then invoked, and its treas
ures portrayed. Those treasures now lie waste.
broken like islands from the encrcng continent
the sea of disoord ready TO rush through every
opening chasm, until each shall be swallowed IN an
unknown vortex and that while we are called upon
todelay.
We need breastwork all along our border. Not
of stone nor of steel. but of men, living men who
dare to be men. Can you call them forth IN the &C
ton which is invoked from every border State!
If peace, safety and prosperity will be enthroned
again upon a foundation that may bid defiance TO
the storm. Must we argue this question to be un
derstoed Is it possible that the natural instincts
of our people which for years have recognized the
danger in the distance, canRet appreciate 1t when
near even at the door?
Speculation, controversy, partiZan warfare and
their weapons welded Tor place and position, have
had their day. The issue of the country IS now
before U.s. and he mnst be hopeessly blind who does
not discern this time time for action, and action
without delay.
We scented the 1if in his mountain lair ere ne
came forth clad in the ieecy garb with which IA
natical tyranny ever invade thes hahItauOns OF
peace. Our prophets warned us of his approach |
Stripped now of his soft and glIttering mantle we
behold his shaggy MEN, his strong muscles, and see
his steathy though undaunted thread, and stu we
hesitate lie affects the majesty and power OF the
monarch of the forest, and we propose to meet nm
with bats of peace. Now he crouches II death |
like silence at our door? Shall we wait tor his |
bounding spring. or shall the certain aim OF the
hunter cover his heart the cry of innocence and
the agonized wall of are heard on the breeze?
Union without right is but the tightening coil OF the
serpent that englrds but to crush, whilst Its stllng
breath serves but to paralize and deaden the vital
forces Of Nature! Freedom without capacity is but |
the sGOrpon-lash wherewith despair quiekens the |
children of men into an action whose asserted right
ever reveals liberty as the child Of virtue con |
sttution broken but makes knoyn the Geso9te track
of consumptve effort, ezhaustipg all that once |
sweed the breast and nePyed the arm for defence !
and love-. Confederation without fraternity Is the
rope of Sand wherewith treachery and robbery de- /
ceive and betray the oonfdilg trust Of man. Let |
us away with them all. Let US stand once more |
dsenthraed from their embrace that we may |
make ties that may bind in unity, and chords whose
sweet harmony shall still the notes OF dlscOrd that |
now dismay because they distract eur people.
j. B. L.
HeeIng i'm Williamson County,
Pursuant to call previously made,a portion Of the |