Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-08-31

State after State the glorious flag Of the nation had
been trampled In the dust and 20 ts place had besn
lifted the emblem of The pirate and a traitor
What was the duty Of the administration il this
emergency Should we stand by and se5 one after
another the pillars ofour great fabric disrupted
and broken or should we appeal to the patriotism
Of the American people to sustain the ins tutiOus Of
their fatherss II Mr.. Lincoln had not pursued the
course which he has, would he not have been I'M
worthy OF the confidence that has been so gener-
ously placed in himl he has adopted tais course,
and he has appealed TO yoa the people OF the States
to rally around the standard of our country and TO
teach the world that republicanism still lives upon
this continent. Ny fl lends. we make no war Nd
On Southern institutions. We recognise the right
Of South Carolina and Georgia to hold slaves if
they desire them. But my friends we appeal to
you to uphold the great banner Of our glorious
country and to leave the people Of that country to
settle these domestic matters according TO their
own choice and the exigencies which the times may
present.
But, my friends, with all these sacrifices you have
not yet done enough Your country demands from
you more sacrifices. With overwhelming force the
enemy is upon US. Perhaps while am speaking he
is laundering at the gates Of your capital IL they
gain possession Of that, they think they viii destroy
your nationality. trust the patriotic men OF
Rhode Island are not satisfied with the efforts they
have made. acquisitions have been received from
the War Department for more troops. Let them be
ready II they could start this very hour they would
not be be one hour too soon, for tell you your
country requires them at this very moment
Let New England rally promptly and earnestly, and
tell you rebellion will be crushed to the EARTH and
the Stars and Stripes viii be raised over united
country. Then we shall have peace. Peace viii
spread her benign influence over this land and
happiness be restored, business revived and
the blessings Of 8 free government enjoyed l
do not invoke you to engage IN this war as 3
war against slavery. We are warning for 5
different principle But there old adage brought
down to US from the sneients, THAT whom the gods
would destroy, they must first madden" They are
afflicted by that madness which for their wicked
ness Gods providence has brought upon them. And
that will Dc more to crush out the institution of
slavery than would have been done by the peaceful
administration of the government in ten centuries
If that should be the consequence have no tears
to shed. To the future and to ProTidence leave
the issues of this great question. 1t Is not the
province of the government of the United States to
enter into a crusade against the institution Of
slavery. l would proclaim to the people Of
all the States of this Union the right ts man
age their institutions in their own way. l know
that my fellow citizens will recognize that as one
fundamental principle upon which we commenced
this contest Let not give cur opponents any rea>
son to complain of US in this respect. Let Us not
bring to bear upon them the power Of despotism
but the power Of the people of republican govern
ment, where the people rule. Let us bring it to
bear upon them so that the traitors shall receive
such condign punishment as all the world may see
the fate which q free people visits upon traitors
No spectacle would afford US so much satisfaction
as to see dangling from the gallows the bodies Of
jefferson Davis and John B. Floyd, Henry A. Wise
and all those men who have involved this country
in the greatest affection that oYertake any peo
pie. Why is it that we have been compelled to send
to Europe for arms while the rebels meet US with
arms the best the country supply? The traitor,
John B. Floyd, during all the time he was in the
Cabinet, while you were reposng in confidence
that the government would be fairly administered
was robbing you Of your portion Of the public
arms, and sending them to the traitors JEFF. Da-
Wis, while member Of the Senate Of the United
States making laws for the people Of Rhode Island
and eanvsssng the rolls Of the army designated the
men who were TO head the armies of the rebellion.
Men Of Rhode Island, put on your armor and rush
to the capital to defend it. 1t is this hour in danger
menaced by an overpowering force. Prompt as
you may be, you may be too late: you have not a
moment to lose. If you love your country and the
institutions under which you have prospered and
the liberty which has made you tie admiration of
the world come forward at this moment and show
your devotion toit by making sacrifices necessary
to maintain it.