Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1861-01-24

:
under the control of Southern States
men, but in originating and perfect.
ing measures of policy, be it said
to the perpetual honor of the
South, she has never attempted to
eneroach upon a single constitutional
right Of the North. The journals
Of Congress will not show even the
introduction of a single proposition,
by any Southern Representative,
+ calculated to impair her rights in
property, injure her trade, or wound
E her sensibilities. Nor have they
at any time demanded at the bands
of the Federal Government or North
ern States, more than their we'll de-
fined rights under the Constitution.
So far from it, they have tolerated
these wrongs, from a feeling OF ley
ality and devotion to the Union,
with degree of patience and Tor
bearance unparalleled in the hlsto-
ry Of a brave and free people
Moreover, they have quietly sub
mitted 10 revenue system which
indirectly, but certainly. taxes the
products of slave labor some fifty
or sixty millions Of doilsrs apnu-
aly. to increase the manufacturing
profits of those who have thus per-
sis,entiy and uickedly assailed them.
To eyade the issue thus forced
upon US at this time, without the
fullest security for our rights, is.in my
opinion. fatal to the institution OF
slavery forever. The time has ar
rived when the people Of the South
must prepare either to abandon or
to fortify ard maintaih it. Aban.
I don il, we cannot, interviewer as
it is with our wealth, prosperity
and domestic happiness. We owe
lit 10 the mechanic whose shop is
closed. TO the multiplied thousands
of !aborers thrown out Of employ
meat. to the trade made bankrupt
by agitation-we owe it TO ourselves.
our children, our. seli-respeet and
equality in the Government, to have
this question settled permanently
and foreve, upon terms consistent
with justice and honor, aud which
will give US peace and perfect Sc
curity for the present and the future.
Palliatives and opiates, in the char
acter of legislative compromises. may
be applied, affording momeutary re-
lief; but there will be no permanent
safety, security. or peace, until North
ern prejudice has been eradieated,
and the public sentiment of that Sec
ton radically changed and national
lied. To attempt the application OF
effective remedies before this great
object has been accomplished, is like
cleansing the stream while TIE ioun-
tain itself is poisoned.
The consequences aDd immense
Interests which are involved in the
proper solution of the difficulties that
surround us, the deep, lasting and
vital Importance Of settling them
upon principles Of justice and equal
ity, demand the most serious consid-
Grafton Of the whole people, as well
as that Of the public functionaries of
the State. Whilst I cheeriully sub
nit to your discretion the whole
question of our federal relations,
having no doubt myself as 10 The
necessity and propriety as to calling
a State Convention, yet | respect
fully recommend that you provide
by law for submitting to the people
, Of the State, the question OF Con
gention, or No Contention, and also
for the election Of delegates by the
, ratio Of Legislative representation, tc
meet in State Convention at the
. Capitol, in Nashville, at the earliest
r day practicable, to take into eonsld
r Grafton our federal relations, and de-
, termine what action shall be taker
. by the State Of Tennessee for the
0 security of the rights and lbe peace o
her citizens.
3 The question Of Contention or AZ
e Convention, can and should be deter
k mined and the delegates chosen Q
the same election, which can be yer.
g easily accomplisbsdby headlngOue Sc
Il Of tickets Convention and the othe
v No Convention. If majority
IS the people vote fer Convention, the
Is The persons receiving the large'
number Of votes in their respeeti,
1T counties and districts, to be con
ID missioned as delegates.
ne This will place the whole matter
Al ---~1o e. 4hnr.