Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-01-30


tuition, somewhat In The following form:
Il shall be lawfal for ali the citizens and
residents of the United States. migrating in
to any Territories thereof, to carry with them
all property and all persons held to service
or labor under the laws of the States from
which they emigrate, and said laws shall
govern their rights OF property and claims
to service or labor aforesaid in said Terrific
ries, until the same shall be admitted into
the Union. anything in the Legislation of
Congress or the Territorial Legislatures to
the contrary Notwithstanding Such pro-
vision would be in harmony with the general
plan of the Constitution. and would leave
the people of each Territory free to settle the
question for themselves in framing their State
Constitution. These three points seem to me
all that is necessary to settle, for the pur-
pose of satisfying the conservative men of
the South aud removing every plausible pre-
text for u disruption of the Union:
L. The repeal OF the Personal Liberty
Laws, so called, of some OF the Northern
States.
2. Such notifications of the Fugitive Slave
Law as may be required to give it more eff
eieucy. and at the same time render it, if
possible, less obnoxious to Northern seati-
ment -
3. A final settlement of the Territorial
slave question, by an amendment of the Con-
stitution
By what means shall these ends be brought
abouts Let the conservative and Union
men, throwing behind them all antipathies
and all personal ambition, meet together on
the platform of the Union, and by an united
effort save their country. 1t is madness to
quarrel about a sinking ship. Let their only
emulation be which shall do the most to save
it, and the crew will hereafter know how to
a.I h har orfi 70
and devoted. 1t requires but AN effort by the
conservative men to organize a great Union
party regardless of former differences, which
will sweep over the country like an avalanche,
burying abolitionism and disunionism beyond
the hope of resurrection. 1t was the insidi-
Gus arts of the disuaionists dividing and dis
tracing the conservative vote of the country,
driving multitudes into the republican camp,
and keeping other multitudes from the polls.
which secured victory to the Republicans in
the late Presidential election. There is the
best evidence OF which the nature:ot the case
is susceptible, that large proportion OF the
Republic IN party is thoroughly conserva-
tive, and is prepared, in concert with other
parties who are conservative, TO concede to
the South all that the Union men of that
section really desire. What can resist COM
bination composed Of such elements, united
in a cause at holy as that which actuated
Washington and his compairiots in 1888?
do not speculate upon the course which
may be pursued by the new Administration
after the 4th of March next, because IL is still
a matter of doubt. 1t seems to me that, as a
matter of necessity, and, hope, of choice,
it must be conservative; but if it be not, it
will be more powerless than any which has
preceded it. The course which any Presi-
dent of the United States. who regards his
oath. must pursue in two important particu-
lars. is pointed out by Mr.. Buchanan in his
last annual message.
He must collect the Federal revenues. He
must defend tie public property belonging
to the United States, protect the American
flag, and preserve the honor and jurisdiction
of the nation. These duties he is expected to
perform, any ordnance of secession to the
contrary Notwithstanding. But Ii is not nee
essarv for him TO be the aggressoI in any acts
of violence. but in all cases act strictly on
the defensive II a State choose to withdraw
her representation in Congress, let them go.
If the Federal Judicial officers within State
resign. and none can be found to fill their
places, it cannot be helped. If the post, mas
tiers in State resign, and none can be found
to supply their places, or if they refuse to pay
over their quarterly revenues, let the post
offices be discontinued. But, let not ship
enter their ports without paying. the lawful
duties to the United States, or leave them
without clearance from the Federal author
tiles, until the matter is adjusted. Let the
people of the seeding States enjoy, for a
while. the luxury of direct tax of millions
to support an independent government, with
all its burdens of a standing army,and navy.
ministers and consuls, &c, &c. 1t may be
that short experience would satisfy
their people that the Union is not such
an ''accursed" thing as has been represented
and they may deem it best for themselves,
and especially their wives and their children,
to resume their relations with the Federal
Government. But. should they become res
tive under this state of things. and attempt
by violence to "coerce" the United States
into surrender of her property; the issue
must be met and, God protect the right.
But few words more, and my present
task is over. Surely, there is virtue and pa
triotism enough in the country to save it.
To you, and to the men in active political
life, everywhere, is committed the solemn
duty of organizing the conservative elements
North and South, into one great party, and
by its overwhelming power save the Union,
and in so doing, save the State institutions.
Do not, l beseech you. through the want OF
concession on the one hand. and firmness
on the other, suffer our glorious Republic,
which has been the worlds wonder, to be.
come the worlds derision. Let it not be
ssid, that all wisdom, disinterestedness, pa
triotism and energy lie buried with our
Washingtons, our Jeffersons, our Madisons
and our JacksOns.
But word more: As to what can or will
be done by Congress, am not able to tell;
but one thing do know, and that is, that
the withdrawal of twenty members from
the seeding States has weakened us of the
South very much, and whatever we may
now get from the North, will be freely given,
as they have a clean majority in both
branches OF Congress. 1t seems to me the
course for the South to have pursued. was to
have kept her representatives at their posts,
Then, if Mr.. Lincoln and his party had at
tempted to interfere with the rights Of the
South, they could have been prevented, from
the fact that there would have been clean
majority against him for the next two years.
And by that time, my deliberate opinion is,
the Republican party would have split to
peiceS and become disorg anized.
10 view of all this, am compelled to say,
that the precipitate action of the seeding
States, deserves the condemnation of all pa
triots, and lovers of the Union. Many of their
members met us here the first of the session,
and declared they wanted no compromise,
and would agree to none, but declared their
coming here, was 10 forward secession and
destroy the Federal Government. Now, let
me appeal to you as friends, as brothers. who
love the Union: will you follow off those Sc
ceding States in their mad career, and unite,
and bind yourselves to confederacy, that
can aud will be again broken up. unless you
submit 10 the reign and rule of King Cotton,
and their Lords Keitt, Rhett, and Yancey?
1 know you will be appealed to, to stand
by the rights of tie South; Issy- stand up TO
them. You will be told that our rights
must be protected. So say. But are you
going to get protection by seeding from the
Union? L venture the assertion that there is
not one right but what is, and can be better
protected in the Union than out of it. For
in the Union, you have the Constitution,
the laws, and the Supreme Court out of it,
you lose all, give up all. You bring Can.
ada down to the Ohio riveF;in fact you stretch
it along the borders of The slave States, from
fho A Ito he he