The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-05-03
To the People of Davidson County,

My sincere devotion to the public good,
under the dreadful perils of the day,
must be my excuse for this obtrusion.---
An appointment to attend public meet
ing in Maury county to-day, precludes
me from being present at the meeting
this morning, of citizens of Davidson
county. The safety Of every thing dear
to us depends upon harmony and unity
of action. Let us sink all party feeling
and be careful to avoid everything which
may by possibility become the founda-
ton OF party organization. l commend
the warning words of the Banner of yes
terday, "Letn no attempt be made to force any
line Of policy, or any oppression Of sentiment
,ohich seems to meet WiM any considerable op-
position. Let US 90 together as far as zoe can
90 cordially and efficiently, and icave all dispu-
ted points 10 be settled as circumstances and
events may determine"
We all agree in commencing the wis
dom, and justice, and the humanity of
the refusal OF our State, to furnish men
and arms to the President with which to
subjugate our brethren OF the seeded
States, We agree in reprobating war
of coercion upon sister slaveholding
States, who are resisting, after the retu-
sal Of those terms Of justice and safety
which we ourselves have solemnly affirm
ed were essential to our security. We
agree in pledging the whole military force
of the State, in resistance "at all hazards
and to the last extremity" to a war OF
humiliation Of those who are defending
rights and interests as dear TO us as to
them. ....u .N
Having got thus far, let us pause and
see whether we can harmoniously take
another step, until coming events point
out the way. Let us pause and first
make goood these positions, by arming,
by organization, by a vigorous requistion
upon all the elements of Il grand and
glorious selfdeiense, before we spring
questions which may be founded as yet
upon mere conjectural opinions. If
while we draw the sword, we can, with
any possible hope, bear in the other
hand the olive branch Of peace, / shall
most heartily rejoice. But the very act
of refusing troops under the call Of the
President is a refusal of allegiance to the
Federal Government. II places as in rebel
lion. The suggestions, therefore, of "mas-
terly inactivity" of EARNED neutrality"
it is not possible for us to pursue. Could
we have the heart to stand as Indifferent
spectators. while nineteen millions Of
people of the North were crushing and
destroying three millions of whites in
the South, we should find, after their de.
struction, that we would have a terrible
accountability to render for such rebel
lious refusal of allegiance. Insults and
aggressions would at length drive us to
desperation, ana intallibly in the end we
should be destroyed, with as little SYM
pathy or hope as it is now proposed we
shall extend to our feeble but heroic sis
ter States of the South. A sectional
struggle, dreadful as it is, is far better
than division among ourselves. AT a
| time when a war of coercion is threaten
ed by the powerful North, suggestions
| that the feeble South divide, are appal-
ling to contemplate. Our honor, our sa-
cred rights, the safety of our women and
children, against vandal hordes of ruth
less enemies, appeal to us, in the name OF
Heaven, to forbid it! | trust, therefore,
that no questions, Of whatever character,
will be presented to the meeting, upon
which we may possibly not stand as a
unit. Let the Secessionist and the
Union man alike sink his distinctive poll.
tics, upon the altar Of the common safe
ty. Let US wait the development OF
events, to determine what we shall dc
hereafter. But, for the present, and at
the instant, let us arm for the dangers
which we see plainly before us.
Respectfully.
| II I IrnEEED