Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-01-20

Running sketch of Remarks I'm COnven-
tion just Previous re Adoption OF crdf-
nance Of Secession.
Judge Lewis, Of Lawrence, briefly said that he
believed in the right Of secession, but had been op
posed to its beiag exercised atthis time When the
Ordinance Of Secession was passed, he would stand
By the action of the Convention, and defend the
rights and honor of Alabama
Col. Shefield, Of Marshall, said he knew long ago
that Alabama would seceds. He regretted that I'M
der pledge to his constituents, he could not vote
for the Ordinance. He had written home 20 his peo-
plesome days since asking their consent to vote for
it; he hoped to get il and record his vote for the
Ordinance and TO sight. When he returned to his
constituents he would use all his power and sio-
ouence to induce them 10 abide, and to cordially
ratify and sustain the action Of the Convention He
wished be coudnow votefor the Ordinance bnt war
should come he would return to his people and ad-
vocae the raising and aring Of soldiers to defend
the Independence and honor Of Alabama.
Rev. Mr. Potter, of Cherokee, thought that. in
connection with this question, there were few self
evident propositions. We are agreed as people
that we cannot and will not submit to Lincoln
That lie plain We wsnt our grievances redressed.
II he thought secession, Immediately would redress
our grievances he would vote for it. We want our
rights and liberties maintained; we want security
and peace st home. We desire that our institutions
and our system Of constitutional liberty shall be
perpetuAted and extended to the latest generations
If this measure viii guarantee il, he would be its
friend, heart and hand He would vote against the
Ordinance, but would sustain the action of the Con-
vention. His people, he felt satisfied, would en-
dorse and Sustain it.
Gen. Bulger, of Tallapoosa, said be believed that
separate State secession WAS not the best mode of
preserving rights and liberties. In the canvass
in his county there had been much excitement; but
he counselled his people. to keep ooel; and that
when the.question was decided by the Convention,
we must not be divided people; we must not be
aliensted from each other. When he had voted
against the Ordinance, be would have obeyed the
instructions Of his constituents; and then il the
sons of the South should have to take up arms in
defence Of their rights and liberties cid though he
was he would take his place in the ranks, and do
all that it in his power to do in defense of the
liberty, the honor and the independence of Ala
bama. Mr.. 3. spoke feelingly, and said it was his
earnest prayer thst the people of Alabama would
be great, free and happy people.
Col. W. Fl. Edwards, of Blount county, said, in
substance that while be had thought that the Or
diLanes of Secession ought 10 be referred back to
the people for their ratification, he would not now
make any factious opposition to its passage, but
would acquiesce. His people, he thought, would
scquiesce also; he hoped they would do so. He
would vote against the Ordinance according to in
structions, but he trusted that the people Of the
entire State would unile as one people, and that all
would be right.
DR.. John P Rails, of Cherokee, said that he was
cooperation seeessionst, and as such, now favor
ed the secession of Alabama South Carolina,
Florida, and Mississippi had seeded, and soon he
hoped TO his native State, Georgia, uniting with
the galaxy Of free audindependent Southern States.
He would vote for the Ordinance of Secession, be-
cause he believed it to be duty that he owed to
his country. He believed his constituents would
sustain the action OF the Convention, because they
united in favor Of resistance to Black Repub-
can rule, and secession was now the most efectual
mode Of resistance.
Col. J. P. Undertake, Of Jackson said that he
was much pleased to see so much good feeling per-
vading the Convention, and up to this time he had
hoped that we could agree upon ordinance that
would receive the unanimous vote of the members
Of the Conventions but he was satisfied that that
could not be done. He said he would record his
vote against the ordinance, but sitter he had voted
all opposition his part would cease, and he felt
proud 20 say that he represented constituency who
would sustain the actien of the Convention. There
was, he said in his county no difference of opinion
as TO the question Of resistance to Black Republ-
can rule. We were all unanimously in favor Of re-
sistsnce, and resistance now. The only difference
Of opinion Wss to the mode Of resistance not as to
the time. When this Convention has decided the
question, then we sre prepared to defend the honor
and the sovereignty Of Alabama. We are for Ala
bsns right, for Alabama wrong for ALABAMA FOR
zVER The sovereign voice Of Alabama will this
tones for equality and independence. II need be
the brave sons of the old county of Jackson, from
sill her mountains and coves, will rally around
the standard of Alabama, an1 msintsin the great
declaration this day so hrAvsly proclaimed.
Maj. A. C. Beard, of Marshall, said:
Mr.. President: My opposition to the passage Of
this ordinance is well knewn, and my opposition to
the party by which it is mainly supported has been
equally determined. From the day Senator Clay
made bis dsunion speech in Huntsville, to the pres
ent hour, 1 have lahored faithfully and untiringy
to defeat them / have worked with like zesl to
defeat this act Of secession, and if there is any
thing more that l could do it should be done
would cheerfuly lay down my life upon this floor to
prevent its passage, but that would avail nothing
1t will pass. and after that the question arises
whether shall support the act Of my State, or ar
ray myself against it. There can be but one an
swer to such question. Parties and politics must
be laid aside until the danger in which this act in-
wolves US is over. The State must be sustained, and
shall 60 with you, although in doing SO separate
myself from the grave of my mother. The heur
of danger and distress is not that l shall select to
shrink from the side Of my State, do / desire
to recall at such time any former differences of
opinions, however bitter they may have been.
shall 60 home and urge my people to unite with me
in supporting your ordinance as the best thing we
We can do now. We have opposed it: We would
oppose it still, if any good csud be accomplished
thereby; but in another hour it will be the law of
land and when it is, ready to dare all, suffer
all, that soldier or a man can be called upon to