Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-01-09

son, zen. JOHN j. BROOKS - r
The committee reported preamble and resolu
tions and A. W. CAMPBELL, Esq, offered a series il
lieu of the committees report. Both sets of resolu
tons strong forcible and up to the crisis. After
considerable discussion, which was participated in
by the President of the meeting, Hon. A o. w. Tor
TON and NJ. D. WEIGH Esq, in favor Of the resolu-
tons reported by the committee and by A. W. CAMP
BELL, Esq, J. S. LYON Esq, and E. B. MCCLANAHAN
Esq, in favor of those of Mr. CANPBEII. the com.
mtttee's resolutions were finally adopted. They are
as follows
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS.
Tie fact now appears by the ballot box the true
test Of public opinion that the anslavery party is
dominant in all the free States This party has sue
ceeded in the election of President on the sIqce1
issue alone, without the aid of single electoral vote
in slave State Its great central idea is the de-
structon Of the institution of slavery in the Southern
States. For two score years. since the Missouri
controversy. the South has struggled to resist the
argressions fthe anti-savery party. but in vain.
il has grown and spread over all the North until the
plO.ic mind of that section of the Union, regarded
as unit has come to believe that slavery as it ex-
lists IN the South, Is evil and sin and that it is its
duty and mission to abolish it. In the consumation
of this wicked and lawless purpose we see nothing
but general and common ruin for the whole South.
Our property and pursuits of every kind would be
destroyed-the safety OF our families and homes
Imperlled-our social and political condition de-
graded.
To these evils done and impending it is iupossibIe
to submit, while any power Is left Us to resist.
But how is resistance to be made? We are to
consider that the anti-sayery party having control
of all the North is about to naugurate its President
and its policy. 1t will have complete possession of
the Government-and the army, navy and revenue.
Its officers and advocates will be spread over the
South-free speech and free press will be invoked
TO asSai our institution and dcmOraliZe the minds
a slavery will he ahp in +Lo
trict Of Columbia and in the arsenas and backwards
in the Southern States. The removal of slaves from
State To another will be prohibited and fugitive
slaves protected. The public territory in which we
have common interest will be appropriated t.
free States and rapidly settled bv the North under
the operation Of a homestead law. And IN the end
the free States, thus increased number, will have
the power to change the Constitution and abolish
slavery directly in the slave States
Such is the programme of the antisavery party
dominant power, proceeding, they say peace
ably and according to the forms of law. Being in
the minority the slave States will have no power to
resist this policy according to the forms of the pre-
sent Constitution; ii will go step by step if not
arrested, until it be fully accomplished and we be-
ruined and degraded people. 1t can only be
resisted in one of two ways:
First Constitutional guaranty, securing to the
South all its rights in respect to slavery and The
public territory If that be denied US then a dis
solution of the present Union and the formation of
Southern Union. In view of these great and i'm
pressive facts, conclude and declare as follows:
l. Ii is the duty OF the Legislature TO instruct and
request the members of Congress from Tennessee,
acting in concert with members from other slave
States, to demand of the North in the form of an
amendment to the Constitution. a full and ample
guaranty of the rights of the South in respect to
slavery and the public territories
2. Ghe matters IN issue having been under discus
sion more than quarter of a century and dilatorv
action being injurious TO remedy it is but reas
enable and right that the demand of guaranty be
4 -.
pass by the requisite majority in each House of
Congress- and be ratified by the Legislatures Of the
requisite number of States.
,. Without such guaranty, we deem it unwise
and unsafe in the last degree, to permit the anti
slavery party TO 60 into possession of the Govern
ment and exercise its power over the Southern
States without taking timely steps for our protec-
ton. 1t is in eject, submitting the demands and
tyranny of a sectional enemy, whose avowed policy
is a declaration of war against the South And in
such case, the army, navy, and purse, the Govern
ment patronage and influence would be powerfully
welded to our prejudice in the struggle for our
rights.
4 Ii is proper and expcdient that a State Conyen
ton he called and that it take timely action for the
formation of a Southern Confederacy in the event
of the denial OF any proper guaranty by the North
In this view il has power to send delegates to
Southern Convention, to be called by the Southern
States, or such of them as concur in the movement
to establish form OF government on the basis of
our present Constitution and laws making only
such change therein as the case requires.
g. 1t is proper that the State Convention continue
its existence, in concert with the other slave States
as before stated. TO act finally upon the
Constitution and form Of government Droposed by
the Southern Convention.
G. We consider that for cause State has tbe
right TO sever its connection with the Federal
Union and whether it be called secession or rnvo
luton cannot be material the right is original and
inherent, and belongs to its sovereignty.
z And for cause, we alledge that the free States
have committed overt acts of treason against the
Constitution in this they have passed liberty hills,
anpullIng the Fugitive Slave Law, and resisted the
public officers who attempted to enforce it, BESIDES
their whole anti slavery policy before indicated
Is moral treason against the Constitution, and the
rights of the Southern people. For these causes in
the absence of proper guaranty for the future it
is the right and duty the Southern States to break
the entangling alliance that connects them with the
Northern States. and to provide for their peace,
safety and happiness in Southern Confederacy.
s We DENY that the Federal Government has any
novver upder the Constitution. to make war on a
seeding State TO coerce it to submit and remain in
The Union. The idea is absurd and despotc-the
aet of war itself is dissolution of the Union and
in this connection we repe with Indignation, the
doctrines and opinions on this subject OF Andrew
Johnson of Tennessee recently uttered IN the sen
ate. We consider that his action was wrong IN doc
trins and and unnatural in sentiment.
3. We also disapprove the action Of Senator
Johnson in the support of the Homestead Law:
Black Republican agrarian law-adverse to the
rights and interests of his section in matter
OF the greatest consequence.
The Montgomery Advertiser gives the popular ma