The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-01-11

Oh EQUALS, DuN vi tut NlttOFs WIZ Nab-
quished, pinned together by the bayonet
and CONCEALED in blood.
dsvoutly trust that merciful Provi-
dence may avert such calamity, and be-
lieve that there is no respectable portion
of our people, whatever may be their diff
ferences Of opinion upon other questions,
who are so blind to reason, or so lost to
patriotism and every sentiment Of civil
liberty, rs to give countenance to policy
so fatal in its results, and so revolving to
every sentiment of humanity.
While I sincerely trust that Tennessee
may never be driven TO the desperate al
tentative of appealing to arms in defence
of the rights OF her people. nevert heless
deem Il proper, in view of the present ex-
cited state of the public mind and unset
tel condition Of the country, TO call your
attention to tho fact that, with the excep-
ton of small number OF volunteer com
panies. we have no military organization
in the State. the militia having disorgan-
lied Immediately after the repeal of the
law which required drills and public pa
rades. Independent of the impending
crisis, regard a thorough re-organ zation
| of the militia rs imperaiively demanded
by every consideration of prudence and
snfcty. | therefore submit the question
to your consideration, with the earnest
hope that you will adopt such plan Of Or.
ganzation as will secure to the State at
all times, and under all circumstances, an
efficient and reliable military force.
| am unable, in the absence of full re-
ports from the clerks Of the several coun-
| ties, to inform you as to the military
strength, of the State. Such reports as
have been made to this department shall
be laid before you. l do not doubt, how
ever, that the military strength of the
State may be safely estimated at one hun.
dred and twenty thousand men.
| II is proper in this connection. that
call your attention to the report of John
| Hcriges, Keeper of Public Arms, here.
with transmitted, showing the number
character and condition of the public
arms of the State. and respectfully recon-.
mend that you provide for the purchase
of such number and character of arms, foi
the use of the State, as may be necessary
to thoroughly arm an efficient military
force.
! I regret that I cannot close this com
munication with the foregoing recital o.
facts pertaining to the all-important polit
ical crises of the day.
But a comparative failure OF crops fol
two successive years, with the destruction
of commercial confidence, resulting in the
suspension of commercial transactions
general stagnation of trade and financial
embarrassment which pervade the whole
country, with its ever attendant evil o
general pecuniary distress, at the begin
ming of which many of the banks in the
State suspended specie payment, there
by mourning the penalties prescribed by
the banking code Of the last session.
1t is asserted, and suppose truly, that
the condition of the banks was such as moi
to make suspension necessary on theii
own account: that by the adoption of {
purely selfish policy they could have
weathered the storm and sustained them
selves, but to have done so they mus
have cut offall discounts and en- forced Tho
collection of their debts from the people
which would have increased the genera
distress. 1t is also urged with great ear
nestness. by ~ very large number of the
people, that you should pass laws for re
lief, and in order to enable the banks t.
afford the greatest possible assistance t.
the people until another crop can be made
that the penalties incurred by the sus
pension of the banks should be released.
While | am confident in the opinion
that tho suspension of specie payment b,
the banks is wrong in principle and tend
to depreciate the currency and unsettl,
the standard of value. am equally conf
dent that the policy ofrelief laws, towhicl
this general pecuniary distress has driver
the public mind, is, to say the least of it
of doubtful policy, and generally injurious
in their ultimate effects upon the commu
nifty. The idea of freeing people from
pecuniary distress by legislation is. to m,
mind, an impossibility. Yet so universe
is the anxiety expressed, and so confiden
the hope of relief from the adoption o
the policy suggested, that while canno
concur in the truth of the argument, o
recommend the adoption of the policy,
do not feel at liberty obstinately to stant
between the people of the State and thei
chosen Representatives to prevent the a
doption of such legislation connecte,
with these questions as they maythink vii
promote their interest and general wei
fare.
| therefore submit to your consldera
ton these questions for such action as yo,
in your discretion may see proper to TAX
with regard to them.
am aware that there are many cues
tons of a general character with regard t,
which the constituents of many Of you de
sire legislation, but having convened 70,
in extraordinary session, upon what
conceived to be an extraordinary occasion
in the history of the country, and feelin.
the necessity Of prompt and immedat,
action upon the absorbing questions con
nected with the political crises of the day
/ have Intentionally avoided submittin,
any others than those to which have es
pecially called attention. trusting that n,
material interest will suffer by being post
poned until the next regular session O
the General Assembly.
With the earnest hope that your session
may be short and agreeable, and devoutl,
trusting that an All Wise Providence ma,
watch over your deliberations and guild,
and direct you in the adoption of sucl
measures as will rebound to the genera
welfare, peace, prosperity, and glory o
our State and country, the questions
fraught as they are with weighty respon
sibilites and fearfuly important conse
quences, are respectfully committed t.
your hands. ISHAM G. HARRIS.
| Florida State Convention.
| Tallahassee, Fla, Jan. 3.-The Conven
ton met at noon to-day, and Was opened
with prayer by Bishop Rutledpe. Col