Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-03-16
ma,Sr DOneIeon TO Gov. Foote.

SIR In reply to your eommunicatlon, asking for
some expression OF my views as 70 the position
which Tennessee ought to take in the present
pect of our public affairs, / have only time TO re-
peat the substance of what said in the CONVERSE
ton referred to.
1t is obvious, to all rejecting minds that the use
of the military force of the Federal Government
in executing the laws within the limits of the Sc
ceded States, is impracticable, and cannot be in
sisted upon without imperiling all that we deem
sacred in our political system.
Whilst think that South Carolina and the States
which now Constitute q new contederacy, acted
precipitatey, am for the employment of no other
means. but those Of peace and fraternity, in indu-
cling them Fetrace their steps. so far at least
to await the result of the conference, which the
border States propose to hold in accordance with
the recommendation of Virginia.
That this conference should be held is of the
highest importance. In my Judgment. it affords the
only basis on which we may hope for a reconstrue-
ton of the Union and the re-establshment of those
bonds of fraternity among the States which con-
stituted the life Of their Federal Government L
should expect froa this conference such pro-
positions of amendment Of ths GaEsttgtD2 as our
Northern brethren could not refuse, if they are
willing to perpetuate the liberties which
ceved from our fathers. | should also expect from
this conference such measures as would satisfy
seeded brethren, and induce them to abandon the
experiment which they are now making.
1t is net necessary to state in detail the
calamities, when Eiu Overtake us, if the
people persist in this tsc:ionAl quarrel What
has already occurred is enough to alarm
every one who has accepted our national experience
as proof of the superiority Of our system of rep
resentative government that which prevails in
other quarters of the world.
If the South, after resorting to all honorable
means in the pursuit of guarantees for the safety
of the institution of slavery, is to be disappointed
If the North persists N gcloy whose terdencysls
TO deprive US of orr just share 10 tie use of the
territory of the United Ststest is obvious that tie
Union is already divided by sectional line, and that
1t becomes our duty to adopt, at once, the course
which is best calculated to give us peace, strength
and permanency. But let not be too hasty in
forming such conclusion. Let US not mistake the
action of politicians for that of the people Let
adhere & little longer to the work of our fathers
which has carried Us sately through three wars aud
given US place among the paEiels Of Pie earth IN
eqHalled in prosperity and wealth, and in all the
blessings of civil and religious liberty.
/ am still friend of the Union, and adhere to the
doctrine maintained By Washington, Jefferson, Mad
ison, and jackson, in regard 20 the rights Of the
States and the exclusion of such principles as those
of abolition, notification and secession from our
political system. But the right of revolution be-
longs to us as TO all other people, to be exercised
when we think the cause is sufficient. Those great
men Whsn maintaining the necessity of obedience
10 the laws cons uti9Haly passed, meyer thought of
denying the patprai and insllenable right OF
revolution 1t is on this ground whatever may be
my ideaz individually of the insutfcency OF the
cause which les Induced ogF brethren OF the Cotton
States TO separate from vs., FIAT I cGndemH any
movement which meditates their slojpgaEoF re
the application of force to bring them back within
the jurisdiction Of the United States.
That a movement has been made by the extreme
Southern States which makes the execution of the
laws of the Union within their limits impossible,
canpot be danied. And that it is the duty CT the
other States a1d particularly of the Border States
to look at this great eFeEt wIth calmness and wis
dom under the hope of guarding FgafEst the evils !
winch aye to result from it. is equally gndenfaDle
Can the South as section consent TO be DIVIDED |
into Two or more eonfederacieE, and expect TO en-
JOY The safety which she alleges Is now thPeateqed
by the antisavery sentiment of the Northern States
1t appears to me that such an expectation never
te FeaZed. All the strength of the South will be |
peeSee 20 pat her in condition to protect her com
meres ana SgrEana the respect of foreign nations.
10 ehect ulls VIII require years of Wiae and eff
clent government, aad will call fer expenditures /
which cannot Row be calculated Il will create /
changes IN our industrial pursuits which at FIRST |
VIII not De remuneratiVs, II will compel US to
man iSc1uie many OF the articles which we now
buy from other countries. It will modify in thou
sand forms the application of capital 20 the deyeon
ment Of our resources, and the cultivation of the
aeas which are necessary to our national indepen-
dence.
But it is unnecessary 70 enter into such details
refer TO them in general opg 10 ,hoe lie ncceseit,
of union among the Southern SdteS If re ore forced ~
separate from oar Northern brethren '''~fH
Ny plan of action for the border States is to meet
in council at Frankfort, any other central MONT
by the fundamentally of delegates who will renre
sent the wishes of the people, whose duty it will he
after due consultation TO unite upon some measure
which will secure their righs, and that this measure
shall be subslittRd in kindness and good feeling to
our brethren of the other States, including those
hat have seeded; and that it shall be made part
IF the Constitution, as an amendment, II It be &C.
,spted by tbe1n.
il this effort should fail, and not be accepted by
,ur Northern friends after they have had reason
lbe time to examine its provisions, then there is no
,ther alternative for the border States but 10 call
general Convention of all the Southern States, for
he purpose of forming such Federal Government
Is may be deemed necessary 10 promote their hap
illness. prosperity and independence, as separate
1t is painful to me to contemplate the crisis which
lae been brought upon the country by the lndis-
rect and rash counsels of some of our public men,
But what has been done cannot be recalled. Ii is
,ur duty patriots TO imit2te the example set us
~ our Fathers. and never give up the great beri-
age Of liberty left u.s. Animated and cheered by
heir maxims, let us hope that the people will stilI
ally and give us once more fraternl Union and
Government that will dispense its blessings ard
BURDENS to all slike protecting every section in lis
lghts and embodying the strength of all the States
n repelling foreign aggression.
If had the time, would enlarge upoa the points
uggested for our future action but having not the
ie YOU must accept this hatty note as the only an
Ter can make at present.
Yours very respectfully T. J. poSEIsoS.