The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-05-03
Address of the Union Executive
Committee of Shelby County
From the Memphis Bulletin.

The present startling crisis in the affairs
of our country demands that the Union
men Of Tennessee should announce the
policy that will guide their future con
duct. 1t is for this purpose that the
Union Executive Committee of Shelby
county issue the following address,
In the excited CONTEST, through which
we have so lately passed, we boldly and
triumphantly maintained the loyalty Of
our beloved State to the Federal Union.
In this we acted from honest and patri-
otic convictions of right. Sympathizing
with our brethern of the seeded States,
yet we could not see the necessity Of their
action, and deplored the course they saw
fit to pursue. We believed that all the
evils that have been brought upon our
country might have beenaav81led by moro
calm and considerate action.
On the other hand, although section
al party that we abhored, had obtained
possession Of Government, we still hoped
that even the President of its choice, in
view of the awful responsibilities that rest
ed upon him, would be constrained to pur-
sue conciliatory and pacific policy. We
had assurances of this being his purpose.
that no occasion would be given to the
secceded States for collision of arms,
that the military positions in their borders
would be given up rather than blood
should be shed to maintain them, that
force would not be used to collect the
revenue at their ports. We knew that
the councils of the nation being thus
guided; fratricidal war would be avoid
ed, and time being allowed to soften the
angry passions that had sprang up be-
tween contending sections, we yet might
hope for a united people.
Our expectations have been disappoint t.
ed. We have been deceived by false and
treacherous representations OF what wou.d
be the policy OF Mr.. Lincoln's adminlstra-
ton. Instead ofpeace being his purpose a
cruel coercive policy has been announced,
to carry out which, he has called the
hordes of Northern fanatics to rally to his
standard. A Northern army is to be
marched over the territory of the South
ern States that have stood loyal to the
Union to subdue and chastise our breth-
ren.
In view of the state Of facts, believing
there is no power given to the Federal
Government to coerce a sovereign State,
there is but one course left for Tennessee
to pursue. When the flag of our country
becomes the insignia of "A hostile invasion
of Northern fanaticism upon our soil, VT
CAN NO LONGER FOLLOW ITS GUIDANCE. We
! will therefore turn to the banner Of our
own gallant State, and with loyal and true
hearts, rally around IT to resist any nva
sion of our soil. Mr.. Lncoln's govern.
ment, pursuing the course that is indica-
ted, we will feel absolved from all obliga
tons thereto, and acknowledge fealty
| ALONE to our own State.
We hope there wilAn now be prompt
concert Of action betXp all the South
ern States that oGd 6lAailar position
, with ours.
The glorious e'aonwealth o
Virginia has long, >si'h mother
jealous care, watchecy THE progress o
events, and is preparedgo taksthe initis
tive in whatever course our common safe
ty and honor demand In this position
whatever it be, when deliberately taken
by her, we know she will be sustained by
all the material and physical power o
Tennessee; and we are sure that the othel
great States that hold positions like ours
will respond to the call OF the reverec
mother Of our Southern institutions anc