Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-01-22

q oeiegates CHOSEN each State, by the people
thereof, under the Recommendation Of its 'Lce;sla-
ture, for their assent aid ratification and thst each
convention asserting to and ratifyug the seme shall
give notice thereof to he United States in Congress
assembled
Resolved, That, it isthe opinion Of this Convsn-
ton, that as soon thu Conventions of nine States
shall haze ratified this Consultation, the United
States N Congress assembled, should fix day on
which Electors should assembie to vote for Pfesi-
dent; and the time ami place for commeneing pro-
ceedings under this Constitution"
Each State, therefore left TO decide for itsal
as TO whether it woult become member oil. the
Union, without the consent or co.operation of the
other States. The old Union which Contemplated
perpetuity, being dissolved by the adoption and
ratification of the New CONSTITUTIONS by nine States
only. It was, with somsdegres CT doubt and hesi-.
taton, that some of theStates, finally consented to
became members of the present Confsderaey. North
Carolina and Rhode Island remsining out Of tha
Union for twelve mcnshs after the organization, of
the Government underits present constitution, and
when the State of Rhode Island at last ratified, she
provided, like the States of New York aud Virginia
had done; that the pswers of Government should
be re-assumed by the people, whenever the same,
shall be perverted to h,r injury, it shall become
necessary to their happiness. The recognition Of
State Sovereignty, however, was repeatedly made
during the proceedings of the convention. The
equality Of the States irrespective Of population in
the little States of Rhode Island and Delaware,
ware recognized peers of the great States Of
New York, Pennsylvanh and Virginia, entitled to-
the same equality in the administration Of the Gov
eminent. The opposition with which the PROPOSE
ton to eoerce delinqusit State, was met By Mr.
Madison, as violative Of State rights snd'subver-,
sive Of the liberties Of the people; and its mani
nous condemnation by thtconyeniion, is conclusive
evidence that Throughout the entire history of the
organization Of cur Government, never for mo.
ment, was State Sovereignty and Independence
called in question. II sseyer received the sane.
ton of tho wisest and best statesmen of all DELHI
erative bodies touching this subject. It was the
first great idea shadowed forth in the Declaration
of Independence, and has ever been preserved as
the polsr star of their future hopes and ultimate
prosperity. They declared, after enumerating their
rights. e e -
"That to secure those rights, govern nenis were
Instituted among men, deriving their just powers
from the consent of the governed; that whenever
any form Of Government becomes destructive of
these ends, it is the right Of the people to alter or
abolish, and TO institute new Government, laying
its foundations such forms, as to them shah most
likely effect their safety and happiness" % .-
There IN that memorable document, penned by
one Of the purest statesman that ever lived, and,
sanctioned by band Of patriots, wh6pledgea their
lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to its
maintenance, the fret great principle enunoisted is
that Governments derive their just powers only from
the consent of the governed. ,s~
All the power the Government Of the United
States had on land or sea, was derived from the
States Without the consent of the States the Cow
eminent would not nor could ever have existed up
on its present Republican basis; it was therefore
created by them with certain expressed powers,
and whatever powers were net granted were re-
served to the States. This power then coercion,
and the right TO govern them without their consent
having never been granted, the States have rigAt
G-n--
think proper, aud any attempt on the part of the
Government at coercion would be o tyrannical as
sumption Of power thati does not legitmstely pos
sess.l - tffs z gfEf n VINO fTs.
The States that have been admitted since the for
nation Of the Government by the original thirteen
States whether for med out of the Territory by ces
sion treaty or purchase, having been admitted upon
an equality with the other States possess the same
right. -. $50.
The only question which remains to be deci-
ded is whether we now have 0 sufficient cause to
exercise this right. There was time, sir, when I
thought it almost treason for any one to speak Of
dissolVing this great and once glorious Union.
There was time when / loved and ven
Grated this Union, and esteemed it the greatest
Of all earthly DESIRES to be an humble citizen,
sharing slike with the great and the low, the ines
mabe blessings of its fostering care and protection
yet cherish, with the fondest reeolleetions, the
Union as it was, and as it was intended to be by
those gallant aud noble spirits of revolutionary
memory, who labored 50 long and SO faithfully in
the cause of freedom, and for Union of equLliiy
and equal rights. Unfading laerels bedeck their
broWs, which, though this country Of ours be dis
robed of all its former glories and cease to exist
amongst the nations of the earth, will yet be green
in the patriots memory to the end of time And If
the great work which they have left for, our COM
pletion, have fallen into the ruds grasp Of the de-
spoilers hand it will be fault of theirs nor of
those wao have stood like faithful sentineIs the
watch tower, to guard and protect it in its rapid
growth from the hand of invasion but Of Q degen-
crate class Of men, who, closing their eyes to the
great landmarks left to guide us through all time to
GENE, with cverpowering numbers, have invaded
our sanctuary of freedom and ruthlessly torn down
the great pillar Of its support, upon whose tower
ing front was written Equality and Equal JUS
tice." esE
love, sir, to dwell on the past history Of my
country; its prosperous career; its former glory
and grandeur; the msgnifcence Of its Institutions;
its influences upon the world the character of its
chieftains whose fame and noble deeds SO hrilant>
ly adorn the pages of history.
But with all its magnifcenee and splendor, with
all its influence and power with the bright example
of the patriot heroes of the past, and the combined
wisdom of the present, We have tie most gloomy
forebodings Of the future The grave and solemn
question presents itself to fifteen Southern States,
whether not their happiness and general welfare
would not be promoted by Withdrawing from the
UnioH.
This is q serious question and demands q calm
consideration of the that have forced it upon
upon u.s. And, if we find the objects for which the
Union was created, have been abused and perverted
to our injury, then we have reason to hesitate in
coming to the right conclusion. Hl 5.sA.A
Mr. Lincoln is nov elected President of the Uni.
ted States for the next four years. He wac eleoted
by sectional party, whoseteachings and doctrine
are disnetrically opposed TO the honor, interest,
and ndependeRcesof the Southern States. And the
question has been often asked is his election suf
fcent cause for dissolution of the Union, or for
any one or more of the Southern States to seeede.
In answer, say his election together with the Abo
lition and Black Republican outrages and agrees |
sons since 1920, shows gross and utter perversion
of the objects for which the Union was created, and
is sufficient cause for dissolution. repeat that
without voluntary, unequivocsl and unmeaning
relaxit on their part, of the doctrines las enunciat
ed in their platform and the diabolcal teachings Of
their leaders, and as responded to by their deuded
fanatical followers it is the impertive duty of tho
Southern States, in vindcation of their honor, in
Justice to those who to follow u.s. to Withdraw
from the Union, speedily and promptly, before ths
of Mr.. Lincoln. We may demand our |
rights demsnd redress for past wrongs and secur-
ity for the future as some contend for, but it will
be in dishonor end will avail US nothing, and |
will only amount to delay. As to any fur |
Their compromise with the North, disdain |
the lQea, Ieel Lnab We HOuiu IOreV-
er in considering proposition for compromise; we |
have nothing to concede and as to their observance
of compromises let the history of their aggressons
show how faithless they have been, and how inse-
cure the South would be, in relying upon a mere
compromise in this important crisis. This sectional
party of the North has grown, as it we're, from
small speck upon our political horizon, until its in
creasing growth and power have brought upon the |
country all the evils under which it is grooming.
The agitation of the slavery question: has been the
food upon which il has fed and grown 80 great the
abolition of African slavery and the equality 9th
negro with the white man the ultimatum of their |
desires. -a-
In 1920 the agitation Of the slavery question was
thrust upon our national councils by The mperious
North on the mere admission. Of State, and even !
then in its incpiency before fanaticsm had reached
its eliminating point; 50 great was the shock it
produced, that the councils of the wsest and best
men could scarce stay the angry tide which threat
eued our destruction.
When it was expected that Missouri would soon
petition for admission, and whilst she was yet pre-
pairing for that event. knowing that under treaty