The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-07
AR vi ESS AG ES.
WAR MESSAGES OF THE GOVERNORS OF
TENNESSEE AND NORTH CAROLINA.

TENNESSEE AND NORTH CAROLINA.
MESSAGE oF GOVERNOR HARRIS, OF TENNESSEE.
EsxovTvE DxPARrNYsr,
NASHVILLE, April rs, 1861 !
GKnTI6srxs or Trn S,sArS House REPRESENTATIVES,
The President Of the United States elected according
the forms OF the constitution but upon principles openly
hostile TO its provisions, having wantony inaugurs;cd en-
nefnecine between the people Of the slave and
slaveholoing States Of this Unon have convened you
again ut the seat OF government for the purpose OF
enabling you TO take such action as viii most Likely
tribute to the defence Of rights tho preservation OF
liberties the sovereignty of the State aud The safety
of our people, all Of which imminent peril by
the usurpaons Of the authorities at Washington and the
INSCRIPTIONS fanatcism which riot throughout the
Northern States.
The war thus inaugurated is likely to assume an i'm
por,ance nearly not equal TO the struggle OF Revo
lutonary fathers, In their patriotic efforts to resist the
usurpstoEs and throw of the tyranical yoke OF the
English government war, the duration OF which, ana
the GOOD evil that must result from It. depends en-.
trey. IN my Judgment upon the readiness with which
the citizens OF the South harmonic people and
the aacrty with which they respond to the snands Of
patriotism.
lot think necessary to recapituate at this late
hour the long train OF abuses TO which tho people Of
Tennessee sister States the South have been
subjected by the anti rfpuc can sp that has many
years feen maniiesng Itself in that section, and which
has at last declared itself open and enemy
In the which addressed to you your called
session in January last, these things were somewhat
eaooatey refrred TO- as consiitu,iag 10 nv inacmea
the ampest for considering ourselves IN imminent
and as requiring such action the part Of the
Legislature would place the State In attitude for
fence whenever tue momont0us crisis should be forced
upon U.s. and also to the North the strongest
argument for peace and, If possible securing q
strucon Of The Union thus already Dissolved BY the
most authoritative formal and matured sction Of por-
aSsac, o ere
The preservation OF the Union originating with their
view OF the subject than had been able to asc crled
with the supposed peaceful Intentions Of this authorities
ut Washington have resulted In leaving the State poorly
prepared for the sad realities which upon
But unfortunate as this may be, am, nevertheless,
encouraged with the belief that are, at last practi-
cally united people Whatever differences may have
heretofore existed amongst growing out of party d.
visions as to the right OF secession as constitutional
remedy against federal usurpa ions all admit the moral
right asserted by fathers of each and every people
TO res st wrong ana to maintain their liberties by what
ever means may be necessary that governments de.
and that whenever any form of government becomes de-
structve Of the ends or which created it Is the
right of the people 10 alter abolish it, and institute
n government, laying us foundation such princi-
pies and organizing its powers IN such form 10 them
shai seem most likely TO elect their safety and happi
ness." standing by this common sentiment with the
bloody and yraDnca policy OF the Presto entail usurper
fully before us in the face Of his hordes OF armed col
diery, marching TO the work OF Southern suhiugson;
the people Of the proud Common wealth OF Tennessee
their honor true 10 the great principles Of free
institutions true 70 the lessons OF their fathers and true
to their brethren Of the Soun the subjects az common
oppressiou-have united almost with voice, in de.
claring their lxsd resolve 10 resist the yran and in
pedging their hves their fortunes and their sacred
honor TO the maintenance or their rights the rkhts
of their sister States Of the South.
cannot be overlooked that, IN assuming attitude
Of this claractertorced upon VI by the remarkable
gency OF the tmee-we are IN effect dsoviug our con.
necton with the federal Union. AS established by
fathers, that Unien longer exists However much we
may have cherished heretofore intelligent and can
did deny that IL has ceased to blessing and
has become a curse tina. II is no longer high ana a.
"A of
that II has ceased to be boud Of brotherhood and has
become a hateful connection between communities az
II would be die, therefore, TO speak OF ourselves
any longer as members OF the federal Union aud while
Il Is believed by many whose opinions entitled TO the
highest respect that by reason OF the sgbverson OF the
constitution by the authorities in power inauguratng
revolution between the States thereof each and every
already released from his former obligations
10 that government yet, best COMFORTING with the
dignity Of the subject, and also from due regard 70
those who may hold different opniou-and farther st
that ali the world may be advised OF our action re.
spectuly suggest that our connection with the federal
Union be formally annued in amer az shall in
volve the highest exercise Of sovereign authority by the
much " be desired In times like the present. upon
tions OF mere detail Until this Is done many con
scent0us citzeDs may feel embarrassed In their action
from their supposed relation general
In emergencies Ike the present while 1t l. our duty 10
act With due deberaton and prudence, unbiased far
AZ possible BY excitement or prejudice nevertheless
Of the highest importance that VIC should act with
prompitudc and eosion.
Whatever grounds OF hope may have been supposed TO
exist heretofore for an adjustment OF the difficulties be-
tween the two sections OF the federal Union however
anxious may have been TO continue members Of the
hope and expectation no longer exist In mind OF anv
RATIONAL man, who desires 10 maintain the honor and
equality OF the State, and the inviosbty OF her peculiar
Institutions
The present administration, elected upon ayoxci pur
poses OF hostility 20 the Souhpurposes which Ali kne
then as well as now, could no, be carried into euect
without internecine and dissolution OF tho
has eSerted every energy rcsoted TO strategy and
disrcSarded every constitutional barrier in order 10
hasten uef accomplishment OF the unhoiy m sson for
which the people Of the Northern section hod elevated Il
70 power. They have lost no tme-tbey nave ncithsr
hcstaied nor fatercd The low duplcity II which thsir
administration was augursted-trustine while con
cediDs nothing 70 hull the South fatal security fur
nshng groen Tor divisions In the border slave Staea
while constant though secret preparao for tbe why az
subjugation was going on y now exposed and leave. M
no alternative but Independence the Union or sub
jueaton in H. The dshonorsble and treacherous nysr
tioee which have far characterized the auhorics n
Washington admoash US that In tho impending struggle
arc scarcely 70 expect the rules OF honorabe
Having its origin In disorde~ed moral sentiment os the
North-ac finding the ordinary restraints OF pstros,am
among their people--desving It's POWER from q usurps
tion and perversou of the functions OF goyerpmsr,
having no middle ground short OF positive ssbiupa.
tion Of the south, or defeat which exposes lis ds.
grace 10 the civilized wosld fear the time has pss.ed
when peace can be hoped for BY the mere moral force
e united South, without trial Of arms Having snc
ceeded IN confusing and dividing tho border states
they have had ample time ter military preparations
The veil which concealed their resent oyenvnis has
been thrown aside The noe Of war has been sounded
and in the imperial proclamation recently ssed tho pe
pho o. the Confederate Staes and all who sym p,bze itn
them are treated ~ rebels, and twcoty dsys allowed
them 70 "disre se and return 10 their allegiance 20 the
authorities AZ Washington without waiting for tho OK.
prston Of the twenty Gays, 10 addition 70 the regular
army and naval forces, mita force OF sevcoty.nye
thousand has been called into the neld 20 eSe.u,e this
edict BY The power o. arms A. " purposcy IN ended
add additional Insult 70 the people of Tonueeseo haze
been called upon, az their Governor u farnsh portion
of theee trcopf base answered their demand ~ In nv
Judgment became toe honor OF the state and
people 10 pass upon my action.
The federal Union OF tho States thus practically dissolv
Cd can yer he refto~ed or thus II mu
~ the very sct " 10 Uuisu Of free and ndopcn