Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-03-08
SalutafOry.

The editors OF the Dd1Ly f0tT1ot being IN
avoidably absent to-day. l have, at their
earnest solicitation, consented, with extreme
reluctance, to take charge of their columns
until they return, which, If they do not miss
the connection somewhere, will be early to-
morrow morning. It is with no feelings of
di<trust or difidence whatever that assume
the responsibilities of TIE position to which
have been SO Unexpectedly called. L have
always thought that / could edit newspa-
per Is well as anybody, and / am not afraid
&c Try.
Custom requires that in assuming the edi-
iorial chair, / should lay down the basis OF
political principles Rpon which intend 10
conduct the Patriot. But as l have no re-
spec; for custom. I shall pay no attention TO
her requirements in this regard will say,
however, that am not Black Republican
in the Southern aeceptation of the term; but
being,to considerable extent, engaged to be
married to young lady who is. do not
choose TO say anything against them. will
remark further, that do not, as a general
thing, believe IN coercion When the people
of seeded State assemble in convention
and OF their own free, untrammelled will ex-
press an earnest desire 10 be coerced, then
in my humble opinion. it il the sworn duty
o. the President to cOeree them as soon as
possible. or resign in favor OF some man who
will. Under other circumstances, believing,
a. sincerely do, that coercion would be cal
cuiated to wound feelings, and probably get
somebody hurt, could not advise a Federal
Executive, whom wish TO see do well, To
engraft such measure upon the policy of
his administration. These were the opinions
Of the illusiriOus JACKSON. and / have ever
adhered, aud shall ever adhere, TO them. IN
les should be called upon to edit paper
tis; i committed to a different position.
In addition TO his, viii observe in re-
gard to the right of secession, that State
nay or she may not have 4 right to secede-
Some say she has some say she has MT. If
that right is guaranteed 10 her by the com
pact Or confederation. it does not become us
TO deny it TO her if it is not guaranteed to
her by that compact. it would be extremely
unreasonable in her to expect me to do it.
Besides, every cent of property [ have got
in the world made by attending to ny own
business and if the respective States of this
Union desire to realize fortune by adopt
ing the same line of policy, they shall not
be trammelled in their efforts by any inter
ference of mine. South Carolina, Georgia,
Alabama and Mississippi have seeded, and
l heard "a rumor as l came down from
Fentress yesterday, that Louisiana and Flor
ida have followed their example. Be this
as it may, Tennessee is still in the Union,
and until she gets ready to go Ouf. 1 think
we may consider the argument exhausted.
am aware that l ought to say something
about the Stay-Law which the extra session
of the General Assembly is so sorry it pass
ed but as circumstances over which have
no control have rendered it wholly unneces-
sary for me to avail myself of the provisions
of that enactment, and as | have no means
at present of forcing ybody else to do so,
/ shall leave it in the hands of those who are
to reap its benefits and endure its evils.
cannot say anything in its favor, because /
know nothing about it l cannot say any
thing against because the individual for
whose especial benefit il is said 10 have been
voted for by at least one member am proud
to rank among my personal friends. / trust
an intelligent public will appreciate the deli
eaey of my position touching this great
question, and let me of.
In conclusion, desire it to be understood
by men of known or suspected courage that
am not attached to the Fighting Depart
ment of this paper. l shall say many severe
things but should anybody take umbrage at
nay well-merited severity, h. need not come
down to the Office with the expectation of
having row with me, for as soon as the
paper goes to press 1 shall leave town, by a
special train. to be gone several weeks.
INTENDED in this connection merely to say
show re you to the reader but as l may
not have another opportunity, will also say
''good bye" G. WASHINGTON BEIcKs
February 7h.