Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-02-02

For he Daily Patriot.
What Course shall Tennessee Takei


10 The People Of Tennessee:
FELLOW CITIzENs:-This is question that
comes home with deep interest TO us al1-tc
every man that loves his couniry-to every
Tennessean. The aspect of the times is truly
ominous. State after State is wheeling from
its orbit Six of the Cotton States have al
ready gone. Texas and Arkansas will pro
badly soon follow. Conventions win shortly
be held in Tennessee. Missouri and Virginia
ard probably in North Carolina, Kentucky
and the other sla7eholding States, TO deter
mine upon their course In such time as
this. big with The fate Of empires" and
when the destiny of our own noble State is
soon to be determined, the humblest citizen
may well be excused for committing with
his country,nen, aud therefore, we again adj
dress you. 20
And in crisis like the present, should we
not all rise superior to former party names
and party associations with which this ques-
ton is not connected, and act alone for our
country-conceding to those with whom We
differ, that they are acting upon the same
patriotic principles that we claim for our
selves -r. e.faa ~ -a-s
What course, then, SHALL Tennessee take!
We are not less patriotic than our Southern
brethren-not less alive to orr national hon.
or-nor to our honor as one of the great
States of this Confederacy-nor do we feel
less keeniy the outrages AMI aggressions of
the Black Republican party-nor are we
less sensible to the dangers If its aseenden-
cy.. But these States have seceded and dis
solved their connection with the Federal
Government without consultation with Ten
nessee, and solely in reference to their own
material interests. This leaves US free to
consult our own.
We cannot assent then to the wisdom of
that policy which is now advising immediate
secession On the part of Tennessee, and to
unite at once in a Southern Confederacy Let
US not forget that Tennessee and Kentucky
occupy central position-in the very heart
gives them both a commanding influence in
the Union; that the proud title of an Ameri-
can citizes, which is a passport of honor
through the whole civilized world, still hs-
longs TO us, and that the national flag, the
stars and stripes OF the Union, is still part
of our Inheritance. In our poor Judgment,
then, without some controlling, inyilcible
necessity, an utter failure to secure our rights,
within the Union, il is the policy of Tennes-
see to remain where she is and fight her bat
ties within the Union, aud not outside of it.
1t will be we'll. likewise, for us to consider
# Kentucky refuses to secede and become
border slaveholding State of a Southern
upon free State line, as We are
1ursuaded she will, whether 1t is for the in
;erest of Tennessee TO change positions
With her and become border State. Nor
win Virginia, nor Maryland, nor Missouri
;ecedc until every effort to yindicate their
tights within the Union shall be exhausted.
These seeding States, too, have certain
,reat interests growing out Of their cotton, SUI
gar, rice &C., which with them are para
nonnt to all others, aud make some of them
'reier disunion for its own sake, and for the
BENEFITS which they expect ia to confer.
Whereas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia,
daryiand, Missouri and the middle portions
# the Confederacy do not seek disunion for
tsaif but as means to secure their Just