Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-04-18
THURSDAY, APRIL Is, 1861
Te..e..e.n. must stand together.

uust stand Together.
n, tho great issue which is now forced up
ON the people of Tennessee 10 deeide' 'hey
must stand together. ln no otner way eau
thew sustain the interests and dignity OF their
c,ote On what basis can they thus standE
60 far as they have expressed themselves
thew have reached substantial unanimity in
onposjtion to the use of an armed force by
the Federal Administration for the subJuga-
tion of the seeded States. We trust that ere
long the whole State without one dissenting
voice will stand together against this war
and against its further prosecution by the
Federal Government. For all practical pur-
,,osas we have reached that point. We are
unanimous against coercion. Thus far our
voica upou this subject has been unheeded,
and the Administration has engaged with
every show of energy and activity in war
of snbiugation. One of the primary steps in
this effort is call upon Tennessee for soldiers
to aid with their blood and their lives in
carrying il out. We decline to furnish such
aid (Which we regard as foregone conclu-
sion) also with substantial uuBnimity. Thus
far we trust we are united.
This refusal to respond to the call of the
Executive authority of the Federal Govern
ment places Us, that far, in antagenism to
that Government. In assuming this
attitude we unquestionably put ourselves in
a revolutionary position. Though we are not
in state of revolution, by formal declara-
ton and warlike preparation and action, our
IL deyolves upon US TO maintain that position
AGAINST all Corners, and by whatever means
we consider adequate to that end. If the
Administration should decide to treat this
determination on our part as an act of rebel
lion requiring him to suppress it by force,
then it is our plain duty to prepare to meet
it on that ground, and to sustain ourselves
with all the power at our command. On this
subject we trust the people of Tennessee are
substantially and practically united. They
can neither permit their love for constitu-
ton which the anti-slavery administration
at Washington appear determined to ignore
TO carry them into war against their breth-
rem of the South, nor can they be compelled
by force to abandon determination which
they have formed on their convictions of the
principles of equality and justice which are
the pillars of that Constitution and Union
which are falsely invoked to justify wal
upon them. We believe the people are
united thus far. If this position will lead
them out of the Union, they will go with
alacrity, and in doing so will carry with
them their freedom and every other thing
they hold dear in the Union.
Why, then, shall Tennesseeans disagree ?
For what may one reasonably contend which
the other may not grant? What is the real
basis and substance enlargement, Is there
ANYTHING between US which should lead to
strife among ourselves? Shall we fly at each
others throat, and thus render ourselves i'm
potent for efficient action on either part?
Tennessee is great in herself, in the Union,
or out of the Union; but she is only great as
she is united. To be strong she must be one.
She must think with one head; she must
move with one body; and if she must strike,
she must strike with one right arm. If we
are TO believe that there is strength in union
when applied to all the States, how much
mOIc IL tIue lIdI w llucL NC
ourselves to be strong What are men =
What are cid prejudices? What parties, in a
time and on question like this? Divide and
conquer is the universal maxim among bel
ligerents. Shall We be guilty of the stupen-
dous folly of being divided and conquered?
To this complexion the thing must come at
last, aud alone in union is there safety among
ourselves. Is it necessary or proper that We
should enlarge on a subject of such palpable
and important truth
Are, then, minor differences, such as i'm
mediate secession and conditional union with
the Northern States, with the condition prac-
tieally left out, to divide, distract aud make
US weak Are these to make US enemies to
each other? We trust not. If we have mi
nor differences, let US harmonize them. This
we cannot do 6y cultivating spirit of par
tizanship and exclusiveness. We must cOun-
sci together and split our differences, if we
can get rid of them no other way. We are
one in interest, and ought to be one in judg-
Enent and in action. That we may be so on
such principles as shall be of the highest
good to the people of Tennessee is our earn
est invocation.