The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-05-17
The Recent Action of the Legisla-

lure.
We last week published the act of the
Legislature forming q Military League
with the Southern Confederacy for mu-
tual defence and protection. Also, the
act declaring the relationship between
the Government at Washington and the
Sove.eignState ofTennessee at an end, and
proposing political alliance and identity
with the Confederate States South. The
first is final, the second awaits ratifica-
ton by the people on Saturday, tie Sh Of
June. We learn there is some dissatisfac-
ton in this portion of the State with the
action of the Legislature, on the ground
that it involves an unprecedented assump-
ton Of power, and that that body should
have called Convention instead. We
have our opinions, mature!y formed, but
shall not stop here to discuss constitution.
al niceties. We look at affairs as they
now exist, from the standpoint of the
overwhelming present and take our posi-
ton accordingly. The Legislature was
called together last winter, and passed an
act providing for Convention. The peo-
pie, un Ter the belief that there was rca-
sonable prospect for adjustment, voted
the Convention down. Subsequently the
mask of peace assumed by those into
whose hands the government had fallen
was thrown of. The President issued his
proclamation, calling for $1,000 volun
teers-to defend, as was alleged, the
Capitol, but really, as every one now secs
to invade, overrun if possible, and sulju
gate the South. Tennessee at once re
fused to respond to the call, thus placing
herself in antagonism to the Federal Go
vernment, and liable to be treated as
rebellious State. In this condition of af
fairs, and with the State pledged to resis
coercion and invasion, pledged by the
people in their primary capacity and b,
their Representatives at the former Sos
sion, the General Assembly was agar
called together, and we have the result
in the bills alluded to above, and pub
lished last week. The question now is
does the actual condition of affairs, til,
imminence of the hour, the war alread,
declared and existing, the attitude which
the State occupies toward the Black Re
publican government-armed hostility
do these considerations demand that The
people should endorse the action of theil
Representatives? For ourself we say yes
emphatically. The old Union is gone
the old flag is no longer the Flag O
the Union-the old government is bro
ken in pieces, and the North and tn,
South are two peoples. Armed neutrality
means unarmed submission. There is NJ
middle ground. We must choose between
them. Either ally ourselves and make
common cause and destiny with tn,
South, with whom we are identified il
position, institutions, interest and every
thing else, or turn our backs upon then
and invite the invaders to push forward
with fire and sword, to desolate their ano
our soil. This is the question for the PEG
pie to determine on the 9Th of June.
We trust the people will at once come
up to true realization of the case-tha
they will give no heed to newspaper sen
sations, or street corner dcmagogues; bu
think, act, a,,d vote like free-born men
earnest for the best policy, and not afrait
to pursue it. We repeat, we see but on,
course. The Slave States have common
interest and common destiny. The issu,
has been made up, the conflict is upon us
we cannot avoid it if we would, and w,
must lock shields and stand together, o.
all be involved in n common rnin