Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1861-03-22
OIL "A r. x s WILLIE
Friday, March 90, 1851.
OUR CONs1sTEN6,Y.

language explicit enough to prevent miseonstruc-
ton, and We have almost despared Of being able
TO define our position so plainly rs TO make it n-
telligible to every grade of intelligence and every
form Of prejudice. At one time we are disunisn-
i't-at another, submissionist; and these varying
opinions are claimed to be legitimate differences
from our own language. We still claim, however
% have adhered firmly to our original position, and
that it may be clearly understood we beg leave to
quote single passage from answers to the
questions propounded to us by committee appon-
ted by meeting, at the Court House, on the 9Th
of January, and which is in these words:
"Andhere permit me tosuggest thatit will prove
\" worse than folly for Tennessee TO call Conyen-
81 ton, or invite q Conference or take any other
"step towards a settlement of existing difficulties
unless accompanied with the declaration that the
consequence of a failure will be her withdrawal
:" from the Union. If she is willing without addi-
/" tional guarantees for the security of her rights
TO acquesce in the Administration it were wiser
to do it without any demonstration 10 the contra
."ryi but, having taken the first step toward the
"vndicaon of her rights and honor, she inust sue
coed or dissolve her connection with the North"
This was our position on the 2sth Of january;
and ever since Lincoln's election, our motto has
been; sour rights in the Union, or our rights
olt of the Union;" nor did the position, at that
time, subject to the mputation of being aithless
to the Union; and should it do so now, ii will be
simply because Others have changed whilst we have
stood firm But this was not our position, ony-it
was held by the Union party throughout the Dor
der States. At meeting held in the Court House,
on the 18th of January, and called by those favo-
rablc to immediate secession, after the reading of
the report of the committee, J. F. House, Esq., Of
cred series Of resolutions in lieu of the report of
the committee, which substitute was adopted, with
this amendment by J. L. Bailey Esq.
THAT if the people of the Northern States shall
refuse to adopt the foregoing propositions, or 9th
ers similar in spirit, then Tennessee will feel au-
"thorzed TO take such action, by revolution or
"otherwse the security Of her interests may re-
squire"
This resolution was carried by the Union party in
that meeting, against the seccssionsts and embod-
les Ill that contended for then, and contend for
now, Nor is this the only proof that the Union
party of this county agreed with US in demanding
final settlement as the condition Of our remaining
in the Union. On the Sd of December, 1860, a
Union meeting was held at the Court House, Hon
Cave johnson presiding, and the following is one
OF The resolutions adopted;
Resolpcd 5h,--Thnt should the South fail az
after using all proper efforts to secure the protec-
ton of its property, and that equality in the Union
to which it is entitled under the Constitution, the
time will have arrived TO consider whether we
twill break mp the Government or by force drive
'ort of the Union the offending States, &c.
This resolution precludes the idea of submission
in any contingency, and presents but two alterna-
tivcs--eithcr to break up the Government, or, "by
force" drive the offending States out of the Union.
This goes a bow-shot beyond anything we have
conended for; we advocated pesceable secession,
IN the event Of no settlement and dreamed of
using force against the offending States except in
relfdelensc. Yet the resolution was adopted by
Union meeting in this place. But let us see if there
IS not additional proof that the Union party of this
State stood where we stand now At the Conyen-
ton held here, on the 25th day of January, and
composed of delegates from several of the surround
ing counties, what are called the Stewart County
RESOLUTIONS were adopted by acclamation and tho
their mysterious disappearance from the Secretary 3
table prevented their publication as a part of the
proceedings, it is sufficient to say that they were
Ant-Coercion Convention, which was held the same
day, and in the room below. Without being able
from memory, to give the substance of these reso-
lutious we know that the Union and Secession
Conventions both adopted them az a platform and
stool side by side upon their recommendations as TO
the future policy Of Tennessee. One more proof,
and Ne shall close this branch Of the subject On
tie glst of January, the Legislature Of Tennessee
a6omcl series Of resoutious-ouc Of which is as
Muonsi
49, Rcsolecd That should plan Of adjustment
satisfactory to the South not be arcedcd to by the
"',quiailc number Of States 10 perfect amendments
".tD The Constitution of the United States it is the
"CpuiAu of this General Assembly that the slave
"lo.Gng States should adopt for Themselves the
"Cou 'itution Of the United States with such
- amendments rs may he satisfactory TO the slave
"holtug States and that they should invite into a
"n0lpl with them all States Of the North which
arc willing TO abide by such amended Constitution
"End NHmc Of Government, Scrfr6ig al opcc all con-
u..ton with Stotc5 refusing reasonable guaran-
'tn.- 10 our future sactY--suCh renewed conditions
eco, Federal Union being first submitted for ratii-
'eat,oa to all the States respectively"
The object Of our brief reference to the record is
to prove FIRST that We have been consistent in our
course, and second, that, until recently the Union
rray stood committed to secession in case no set.
uomcnt was obtained, and against coercion under
g.l circumstances. The proof here brought fo,-
wrl is ample for these ends bu, 1t mi GIT be multi
prod igdeduicly-uot only to establish these fact.
u regard to Tennessee but to all the border States
laa cry, everywhere within their borders, was
rlshclory adjustment, or a dissolution of the In.
!f We helped to swell That cry because we hon.
Oly believed We were in pursuit Of the right game
ga believing 50 still, We SHALL continue 10 repeat Il
nil the eud il gained, or the fual submission Of
I.quessco settles The question