Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-01-11
For the Daily Patriot
EeSuiIa af lion,

Results of Dissolution.
| In previous paper urged that the Middle
| or Central States which comprise the great
| body and heart of the Nation. ought to hold
| together under the Constitution and sustain
| the National Government. Notwithstanding
| certain of the extreme States North and
South should disown its jurisdiction and laws.
This, it appeared to me, was the only means
/ of unfolding the American Republic and
/ perpetuating the existence of great nation
| in the Western Hemisphere.
Why should the detection of certain States
| break up this Temple of Liberty bequeath-
| ed to US by our ancestors with the Injunction,
| GET IT ENDURE FoREvERi" Why should the
tearing away of some of its outer pillars
compel to a split and demolition OF the edi-
fee from dome to foundation? Why should
commotion and revolution in certain parts
OF the country, necessitate its total destruc-
ton. What nation has net had connections
within its borders! Have Monarchies been
exempt? Most nations have, withstood such
shocks, and retained their old forms OF gov
eminent? Must great Republic fall at the
first shock of revolt in some of its parts!
What nation, as great as this; has been so
long exempt. Ought it 10 be presumed that
we, because Republic, must needs go on for
ever uDjostled by the aetuality of commotlon,
like those which other forms of government
have had TO pass through? Hitherto, at the
worst, we have had only dRprehe1slon'; but
OF int rtte
perity, our time appears TO have come to
meet with the reality of a revolt "a 0lr Dor
ders ] have endeavored TO show that al
though We may lose some members OF the
Confederacy in consequence OF 1t, We need
not abandon all, nor be without hope OF a
final restoration of the "lost pleiadesi =
that we might still exist tue same nation, d.
minished in greatness it is true, but still
great and powerful, protected by the same
Constitution bearing the same honored Tag,
perpetuating our institutions, fulfilling our
mission.
But what in The case of total dissolution
a revolution from circumference to centreE
I confess am 10th to look at this subject.
reeoil at portrayal of the naked reality
as it presents itself TO my mind Invested OF
the deIHsivs drapery some have thrown
around il
1t il an ungrateful task to be the harblng-
er of bad tidiugs and gloomy prospects-the-
exponent of conclusions which shock thes
predictions and hopes OF community
With preiudices deep and long natured
against a people, the hearts impulse is to
challenge open rupture, aud h0ps seconds the
impulse. Brave aad gallant young men, en-
thusiastic men, men Of strong passion aud
buoyant expectation, whose chivalry, INTEL 1
ligence and proves have afforded theme OF
glowing eulogium on every stump, are but
too ready on an occasion like the present to
afford the proof of determination and abili-
ty to achieve success in any venture. To
suggest difficulties looks like distressing
their proves and sagacity. If their minds
have been stirred by representation OF
grand resulis-s splendid nationality--near
at hand or far off in the distance, it is Of
fensIve to interpose reflections which cloud |
the prospect would not unnecessarily fret |
the sensibilities or darken the hopes OF any |
one. If time were given, the most enthusi- |
astic and impassioned minds might come to
full view of both sides Of the picture, who |
now animated by partial views are urging us |
on we know not whittier. The country is in |
peril and the time near at hand. Two short |
months may seal the fate of the nation and |
fix the destiny of Tennessee for veal or woe. |
With a wear or two for calm consultation and |
and TO afford the Northern |
States opportunity to elect conservative Con- |
gressmen, all might go well--at least the
South would be better prepared for separate |
action. E cent indications furnish assuran-
,es that the Crittenden compromise which |
vas voted down by Republicans and seces-
'ionists, or any other equitable adjustment, |
would be sustained two TO one even in New |
England, if the masses were given time to
Ict. But the times are too fast for this
Events crowd as. South Carolina, restless
# delay has already taken possession Of Gov
property, and, browbeating forbear- |
Ince, may at any moment precipitate col
iEiou If the Republicans now in Congress
10 not come to terms. or the starving mil
ionsr of the North do not ''cry for BLOOD"
hen on the 4ih of March the other Cotton
states are to secede, and then Tennessee and
be border slave States, it is urged. upon con-
iderations of pride and interest, must 60
mt with them, thus disrupting the whole
government. Those therefore who think
his is not the way to mend our difficulties,
must talk now and talk plainly. however del
cate and ungratefal the task
Another point We are urged by certain |
,sppers TO assume unity of sentiment aud |
opinion (by adopting theirs. of course) 90 that |
he South may send up a united voice. This |
s fair so far as We really do agree. But is |
i fair or expedient to suppress discussion by |
such appeals where go much is involvedi
We cannot deceive others--iet MS not deceive |
ourselves Was not the late canvass in the |
South fought and decided mainly on the
question Of Union or disunion In the event of |
Lincoln's election. 1t was not against de- |
mocracy. The democracy divided on that
issue, and since then have subdivided, many
democrats having gone with the party be-
lieved by the others to be for disunion In
such event, who were strongly for the Union,
aud the vacuum has been supplied by pro-
fessed Union men. Individuals have shifted
sides, bat the great masses probably remain
the same. And it may be remarked that,
during the contest, no one expected conces-
sions from Rpubliean Coasrsssnes. but looked
for reaction against them In the Northern
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