Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1861-01-31
STAIRS If tle 9laflol',
Letter frem Ion James H, Thcmas,
OF TBNNBssEE.
wAsnlSeros, D. c. Dec. %, 60.

Ta tbs Gtigens of the Sixfh Con
orcssiOnd District Of Tennessee;
GENrLENEN: When | left homs 'e
attend the present session oi Con
gress. i entertained the hope that We
Should be abls to make such an "d'
iuslmeot OF the question between the
Two st c;ions ol the country, as would
assurs t. people Of safety aud qus'
the public MIND.
| Placed htIe as Your agent TO
watch over your interest and yon'
rights, | should he pleased to say thai
! n, is we'll. but be times are so ON
/ inous Of evil that | feel II my duty
10 address you from my place. ana
10 call your attention TO the events
occurring, and that are most probable
70 occsr in the next few weeks.
| have sedplcusly avaiied myself
Of all proper occasions TO asc r'ain
tie dis position Of both Norihera ana
Southern men. and to ascertain "hai
was desired and what could probably
be obtained.
The South sees that The Northern
neorIe have become educated 10 the
! belief that slavery is sin. a;'d that II
must abolished. and that they ale de-
termined to persist in The use 3. ol
every means 10 their power to effect
this end, until it is accomplished
| They have elected MIR. Lincoln TO
The Presidency, because be agrees
with them in This bate OF SLAYER !.
and he political equality of the white
and black races. They elected him,
not On account Of any particular
opinions he entertained, in relation
| 10 the North or Northern institutions,
but b C use Of his hostility to the
South and especially TO slavery
They elected him to goveru the South
OF rather to enable them TO govern
lit. in accordance with this morbid
sentiment. and 10 enable them to
employ the patronage and power oi
! the Government fol- its ultimate de-
sirucfion.
The South has mere than two
.hous,rd millions of dollars in this
properly. sGd those of the South VINO
are not SHAREHOLDERS are sahci,ons Tor
/ the preservation of their neish0or s
rights. and that the inherent inequal-
fity Of the races shall no. be dIslur
bed. With an inte,est OF such I'M
mense value. and so ultimately con-
peeied with the South, she is unwIll-
ing that guardian shall be appointed
to have the supervision over IL, VINO
seeks the trust only to destroy 1t
The South contends that no man
should be elevated to Office because o'
his orpasition to The interest oil the
/ neonje. and that one section should
not elect President because OF his
hostility and hatred Of the instiiu
tions of The other. Bat this has beer
dane and the President elect and BIZ
nur'y so!emnIy avow that he Will ao
minister the govesument upon theN
odioGs aud lie, trdctive mlnelples--
The expression comes to US iron
every par. Of the South, that II W.
submit 10 this government oil our en-
smics we must have soms guarantee
that orr rights shall be respected
md preserved. We mus; be assures
of ,quaIity Of rights and pio'ec''o'
10 our rights, clearly guaranteed, 0
dutysto ourselves and our posterit.
will require US 10 dissolve cur eonnee
tion with these aboliiioniss.
Upon the motion Of Southern mer
committee has been formed IN eac
( House of Congress, TO wb!ch fo'
7. subject has beeE Ielelrec' 4ne
I the uildest, most conservative, Un'of
loving men Of the South are upo
these committees; they have propose
. various plans for settlement, but $
y far no acknowledgement OF our r'gh'
has been offered by the North, nor,
!, far as can judge, will any guaran'ee =.
be- made or rendered. We are d'
,iac;ly .oli by their President eleo
by their leaders, and by their pres
tiai hey will coucedc nothing, b'
3 administer the Government ups
IL tbeir principles. ] believe the ooa y
0, a.ll not submit to this. South "a
rn olina has already dissolved her co
|uccliou With the Feeerai enion' 8