Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-04-19
To THE PEOPLE OF TENNESSEE.

= - - - = = 21OG % VIZ N6S3EEs
In the perilous times upon which our coun-
try is thrown, we trust it will not be deemed
presumptuous or improper in us to express
to our fellow-citizens our united opinion as
to the duty of the State in this dire emer-
gency.
We are threatened with a civil war, the
dreadful consequences of which, if once fully
inaugurated, no language can depict. In
view of such consequences, we deem il the
duty of every good citizen to exert his ut
most powers to avert the calamiiies of such a
war. The agitation of the slavery question
combined with party spirit and sectional ami
mostly, has at length produced the legitimate
fruit. The present is no time to discuss the
events of the past. The awful present is up
on us, and the portentous future is hanging
over us. There has been collision, as is
known to you, at Fort Sumter, between the
forces of the seeded States and those of the
National Government, which resulted in the
capture of the fort by the army of the Con-
federate States. In view of this event and of
other acts growing out of the secession of
l.
has issued his Proclamation calling out the
militia of the States of the Union to suppress
what the Proclamation designatesa as "com-
bination too powerful to be suppressed by
the ordinary course of judicial proceedings,
or by the powers vested in the Marshials by
law"
Tennessee is called upon by the President
to furnish two regiments, and the State has,
through her Executive, refused to comply
with the call. This refusal of our State, we
fully approve. We commend the wisdom,
the justice and the humanity of the refusal.
We unquali6edly disapprove ofsecession both
as constitutional right, and as remedy for
existing evils; we equally condemn the poll
cy of the Administration in reference to the
seeded States. But while we, without quail
idcation, condemn the policy Of coercion as
calculated to dissolve the Union forever and
TO dissolve it in the blood of our fellow citi-
zens, and regard it as sufficient to justify
the Stale in refusing her aid to the Govern
ment in its attempt to suppress the Revolu-
ton in the seeded States, We do not think it
her duty, considering her position in the
Union, and in view of the great question of
the peace of our distracted country, to take
sides against the Government. Tennessee
has wronged no State or citizen of this
Union. She has violated the rights of no
State North or South. She has been loyal to
all where loyalty was due. She has not
brought on this war by any act of hers. She
has tried every means in her power to pre-
vent it. She now stands ready to do any
thing within her reach to stop it. And
she ought, as we think, to decline join
ing either party. For in SO doing she
would at once terminate her grand mission
of peace-maker, between the States of the
South and the General Government. Nay.
more; the almost inevitable result would be,
the transfer of the war within her own bor-
ders-the defeat of all hopes, of reconcilia-
ton and the deluging the State with the blood
of her own people.
The present duty of Tennessee, is to MAIN
tain position of independence sides
with the Union and the peace of the country
against all asssilants, whether from the
North or South. Her position should be to
maintain the sanctity of her SOIL from the
hostile tread of any party.
Wedo not pretend to foretell the future of
Tennessee, in connection with the, other
States, or in reference to the Federal Gov
eminent. We do not pretend to be able to
tell the future purposes of the President and
cabinet in reference to the impending war.
But should purpose be developed by the
Government of over-running and subjugating
our brethren of the seeded States, we say
unequivocally, that it will be the duty of the
State to resist at all hazards, at any cost, and
by arms, any such purpose or attempt Aud
to meet any and all emergencies she ought
to he fully armed. and we would respectfully
call upon the authorities eff the State to pro-
coed at once to the accomplishment of this OBJ
ject.
Let Tennessee then prepare thoroughly
and efficiently for coming events. In the
mean time, let her, as speedily as she can,
hold Conference with her sister slave-hold-
ing States yet in the Union, for the purpose
of devising plans for the preservation of the
peace of the land. Fellow-citizens of Ten
nessee. we entreat you to bring yourselves
up to the magnitude of the crisis. Look in
the face, impending calamities. Civil war
what is it? The bloodiest and darkest pages
of history answer this question. To avert
it, who would not give his time, his talents,
his untiring energy-his all, There may be
yet time to accomplish everything. Let us
not despair. The Border Slave States may
prevent this civil war; and why shall they
not do il?
NELL. S. BROWN,
RUSSELL HOUSTON,
E. II. EWING,