Tri-weekly Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1859-1861, 1861-06-25
CHI JrtM'erklp M'hig.
W. @. BROwyL0W, Editor & Proprietor
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KNOXVILLE, TENN;
Tuesday Morning, June 49, 1851
The Gre,neville Convention.

We yield nue. of our space to the piV
ceedings Of the ireencyille Convention, pre-
pared by the Secretary of that meeting, feel
| ing assured that in view of the importance
attached to the iction Of that body, we could
not render our raiders a more acceptable SER
vice. 1t was urge and enthusiastic meet
ing, representing every county in East Ten
nessee but Rbea, and that too by delegates
who, for so~sd practical sense, dete rmination
of will and patriotic purposes, would have
done honor TO any constituency.
The Convention was in session four days,
and was largely attended by outsiders, both
friendly and unfriendly to its objects. We
have never witnessed meeting ofequal num-
bers representing as large an amount of ter
ritory, where as much harmony prevailed.
| In sentiment, the Convention was unit and
upon the adoption ofits Declaration of Griev-
ances and the several Resolutions which fol-
, low almost absolute unanimity prevailed.
One remarkable feature Of the meeting was,
tie determination to do nothing in secret, but
to throw open wide its doors, and invite the
| light of heaven to shine upon its acts. Hence
when some one moved about the third day, to
| 90 into secret session, the motion was voted
down by Il unanimous vote, and without de-
bate The result was, that the Secessionists,
and all Others DESTROYS of hearing were on
hand, and witnessed all that was said or done
1t will be seen that the Convention resolved
not to go into the Southern Confederacy; and
that it appointed Commissioners to memoir
alze the Legislator now in session, to allow
Hast Tennessee to remain where she has vo-
It'd to remain, under the Stars and Stripes,
organizing a separate State. 1t is now for the
SccesSionists in the Legislature, 10 say
whether we shall seperale in peace, or have a
disastrous Civil War. East Tennessee has
Aid at the ballot-box, that she will not go
into the Southern Confederacy--that she will
not submit to draft Of her citizens to wage
a war wholly uncalled for and that they shall
/ not pay the unjust and 1uineus taxes imposed
by the recent corrupt and unconstitutional
-v's-ss,'s $50. :, '--,~'
r The Secessionists of lhis State, and of the
Nentire South have declared the right of
| people to withdraw from q Government they
/ abhor, and to refuse obedience to law and
| policy they dislike, and deem demonstrations
al. They also deny the right of one free peo-
/ pie to coerce another, and they are now ex-
pected to act upon this principle. If they do
this, we shall separate in peace, East Tennes-
see assuming her just proportion of the State
| liabilities, and remaining member of the
Federal Union, as her people desire. If this
liberty is refused, civil war is inevitable, and
the free and unbought Union men of East
Tennessee will fall back upon the rights
guaranteed to them by God and nature and
by the laws and constitution of their coun-,
try, and meet the consequences, let them be
what they may. They have fully calculated
the costs, and they have resolved to meet
them, come veal or come woe. And the
Federal Government is bound to sustain the
Union men of East Tennessee, at any cost Of
money, men, and arms required.