Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-04-23

CHARLESTON, Friday, April 10, 1861
We're It possible for me to write more composed
ly, could write much that would greatly interest
your readers; but, 1 frankly confess, that after
reading the morning papers, watching the bulletin
boards during the day and conyersing with friends
who were actively engaged in the bombardment Of
the 18th and 18th, so many things press upon my
mind, that scarcely anything can be written and
nothing as would like it In justice to myself and
that of your readers, I beg to say few words by
way of explanation and apology. Ny Office being
some distance from the aforesaid bulletins and the
Post Office, and the Southern mail closing at half
past o'clock, renders it necessary to drop in at
the office of some friend down town )" and write
hurriedly in order to avail myself of the mail on
the day on which l write under these circum-
stances, my letters have been necessarily brief and
very unsatisfactory to myself The effect of the
late trial at arms upon the country at large which
is now pouring in upon u.s. tends to excite us more
even than we were during the pending conflict
Knowing that the news of the flashing of our DOW.
der, and the whizzIng of our cannon balls wsuld
eleetry the country from the centre to the circum
ference, we were greatly anxious to know what
| the effect would be upon those who have been
slumbering in false security That the effect il now
showing itself to be what we ardently desired and
fully anticipated as it would have come to IL. great
y reloices our heart. We were sure that all that
was necessary was for the Border States to be con-
WINGED of the insincerity, &c., &C., of the s.Kan-
CARGO" Government, for them to rally their
| forces Tor the cause of right and Justice
to fall into line with the Confederate States.
That they will all do this, with possibly one
| exception, no man can for a moment doubt and
the news Wmchis hourly flashing to u.s. that thew
are and ready for the contest stirs and
warns our blood to the right heart 1t is now very
clear that subugaon has been the policy ever since
the LINCOLN dynasty was inaugurated, though cries
of peace, peace, were repeatedly heard from their
hypocritical lips. Old ABEs stupid ears will GER
tainy be shocked, if he any of his cohorts have
any sensibility left, when the facts is made known
that the Slave States can, and will send into the field
for active efficient service, if necessary from three
to ehundred thousand men to resist his unnatural
unwise and exceeding wicked coercion measures.
We are greatly rejoiced that Gov HARRIS has tend
cred to President DAVIS fifty thousand men, and it is
my opinion that double that number can be raised
if the exigency requires it.
In my opinion the last gun has been fred at a
hostile foe in our harbor The re-taking of Sumter
and Moutrie is the last question which will be dis
cussed at Washington, and when introduced will
soon be dismissed, a question too absurd to be
entertained.
Attention viii be diverted from this city, by at
| lacking weaker points The next serious conflict
VIII be at Pensacola, and simultaneously with this
New Orleans, Norfolk the borders OF Virginia or
kentucky may attacked. That the war will be con-
fined to our coast is not at all probable Land fight
ing Will be resOrted to, and then the Tennessee,
Kentucky, and Virginia boys will distinguish them
selves. 1t will soon be next to impossible to
make successful landing of hostile troops on the
coast of Virginia North Carolina, South Carolina
Georgia or Florida. South Carolina and Georgia are
now ready to prevent any such attacks
When, or where, the decisive battle will be fought
no man can imagine 1t may not be fought for years
to come; but soon or late, we are in for it.
When your Legislature convenes again, and
wish 1t could meet tomorrow, there will be no such
eloquent voices raised for the Union as those with
which twas affected during its January session.
1t cannot be otherwise, in my judgment, but that
the voices of EWING, RICHARDSON, and numerous
others will now be heard for a convention, and for
drning the State. odeay action when the assassins
are at your doors, would be supreme folly and mad
ness. There will be no delay and no diversity of
opinion. Gen. ZoIIICoFFER, we are rejoiced to
know, has taken the stump, and has spoken like
loyal and brave soldier as he is; and we trust and
believe there will not be found single one to ad
vocate the cause, or paliate the conduct of so
treacherous man as ABE LINCOLN. ANDY JOHNSON
even will be awed into profound silence, and should
he not be- just send for Gen LANE Col. WIGFAII-
Either of these true hearted soldiers can silence
bis battery, if it is not already hushed.
How very different is the excitement and state of
the country during April 81 when compared with
April CO. and what wonderful events.is April be-
coming distinguished for. Withou. searching the
pages of history, we would merely refer to the two
first struggles for Independence Lexington and
Sumter) as occurring in April. The birth of HENRY
CLAY and the last session of the National
Convention which win ever be held as taking place
in April To test the question of Government"
or mo Government" war is declared by the runp
Government, and is met by those who are determin-
ed to be free-free from oppression and shame.
The whole struggle is for the right and power to
govern. Black Republicsnism says to us that we
tsm govern you, and we say that you shall not and
cannot. They refuse all honorable terms for
peaceful separation and settlement and attempt
| to force us to succomb to their terms Never have
magnanimous people been more insulted and i'm
| posed upon.
Now we are charged with being "rebels," "trai-
tors" &c. &c. For what, pray? For asserting and
maintaining State Sovereignty-the constitutional
right of the people to decide who shall govern them
We are free and independent people, and will show
to the world that we are ready, and determined to
maintain our liberty. The cost and sacrifice in
achieving it is nothing. With a united South
which we will soon have, complete victory will
soon perch from every house and hilltop.
Now early in the afternoon the news flashes to us
from
BALTIMORE,
that bloody struggle, by way of resistance has
just taken place there. Glorious Neos. The first
blood shed in this contest is Massachusetts, blood,
which is corrupt enough to poute the soil for hun
dreds of miles around Baltimore. AL praise to tn
noble citizens of Baltimore thus far. May they
continue to stay the invaders. is my earnest wish.
SATURDAY MORNING, April goth, lS6l.-The papers
of the morning confirm the news of yesterday,
without giving particulars. Should troops design
ed for Washington, by way of the Baltimore and |
Ohio road and the Baltimore and Washington road,
be denied to proceed on their fendsh errands, we
would think that Washington had as many as she |
may now expect.
Abrahams knees will begin to culver in earnest |