Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-02-01

from Clarke, would at once command uni
versai assent. But such is not the case. War
is already commenced ON South Carolina.
The same hostile movements have been made
upon Florida. We daily hear Of military
coercion. The Federal Government seems
to be under control of military chieftain.
Prompt action in establishing some common
government is imperiously demanded
The resolutions, a. they are now present
ed, it seems to me, obviate The chief force of
the objection of my friend from Clarke, in
this that the resolutions indicate the charac-
ter of both the provisional and permanent
government to be formed. They are both to
be formed on the principles of the Federal
Constitution. This Constitution is well
known TO all the Southern people. 1t is re-
vered By .hem. There has been no desire TO
oppose or to alter il. On the contrary. such
a policy has always met with public disfa-
vor. The Interpretation of that instrument
has been generally uniform at the South. ev-
err since the passage of the celebrated Viz
ginia resolutions of 1898. That Constitution
has been uniformly held up by the Sonth as
its great shield and buckler against Northern
aggression. The South is content with it now
will be content with it hereafter.
If all the Southern States were in conven-
ton. who doubts that they would Hnani-
mously frame the government for a Southern
eral Consultation? None OF us doubt it; aud
if the five or seven States that may assemble
in convention on the 4th of February next,
do proceed at once to frame a provisional
government upon the basis of Tie Constitu-
ton, aud afterwards frame permanent gov
ernment upon the like principles, who doubts
that every seeding State, as il retires from
the Federal Union, will at once ask adlnis-
sion into the Southern Confederacy? For
4 n
obstacle to the earlier movement of the b0r-
der States in favor OF secession has been
widespread belief that the Gull States de-
signed, in seeding, TO establish govern
ment, differing essentially from the Federal
Consultation, and especially that the African
slave trade would be re-opened. [ have re-
ceived many letters from distinguished gem
tlemen in various parts of Kentucky. Nlr-
gInia, North Carolina, and Tennessee, upon
that very point, informing me that were it
not for the fear of the new Conf deracy re-
opening the African slave trade, there would
be much stronger and more general move
ment iii those States in favor of dissolution.
Those resolutions qniet such ears. The
action upon them by the Southern Congress.
instead of being an obstacle in the way of
other States joining the Southern Confeder
acy, will be hailed by them with delight
will be considered by them as wise-and will
command their respect and admiration. as
much as the present Union commanded that
of Texas. when she asked admission into the
Union, although having had 10 voice in fra
ming the Constitution. A Southern Conf
eracy. with the Federal Constitution slightly
altered 10 suit an entire slaFe-holding COM
munity, will be an invitation to Southern
States yet in the Union, to leave it and seek
for peace and security and liberty within
Union, having no enemies-no irrepressible
confict-and being coniederacy of slave
holding States, under the Constitution of orr
slave holding sires.
now ask that the vote may be taken upon
she resolutions.