Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-06-15
The Duty OF the Commercial Community
CT the North AT the Present Time.
T-or, tha Nauz Vort N.r.

1t may perhaps be true, that q majority of the
people of the Northern States misled by the false
Representations indusriously circulated under the
authority of the Administration, appeared inclined
during the few days succeeding the bombardment
of Fort Sumter tolerate the adoption of coerciye
anti-secession measures against the South. 1t is
beyond all question, however, that an immense re-
action has since taken place, and that by far the
greater number of our intelligent and thinking
merchants, tradesmen, manufacturers and meehan-
ics-those in fact who have solid interests at stake
in the community, which are being jeopsrded by
the war-now heartily repudiate the despotic mad
ness that is hurrying the Republic to destruction;
and contemplate with terror and dlsmay the pros
pect before US. They look forward with anxiety
and dread to the developments of each succeeding
day, and shrink aghast from the yswning abyss of
ruin into which they clearly perceive that a six
months continuance of Mr.. Lincoln's atrocous Alb
clifton policy must inevitably enguf the remains Of
our national prosperity Yet, holding, as these
classes of our citizens d. the future destnies of
the country in their hands, if they could but unite
their efforts and make their voices heard, they
might coDjure away the hurricane which Is rapidly
sweeping US toward anarchy, or a military despot-
ISM 1t is their duty to do so at once; and have
no hesitation in saying that if meeting could
be convened in this city tomorrow, Of all who are
really in favor of peace, 1t would outnumber the
monster Union manifestation of ak weeks ago, and
be characterized by an esrnestness and sincerity
that were wanting on that occasion.
On the 18th of April the President Illegally and
unconstitutionally summoned seventy thousand
troops to arms to put down rebellion A little
later he demanded eighty-three thousand more. II
was boldly proclaimed by his organs in the Press
that, with such an immense army, every trace of
secession would be speedily swept away. So far
from these predictions having been verified, Ten
nessee Virginia, North Carolina and Arkansas have
since joined the seven States that had previously
withdrawn from the Union, and Missouri and Mary
land are so dissatisfied that the loss the North of
laA haiti rxyfll n N
their lot with the Southern Confederacy. With
such widened area of conflict the armies assem-
bled are pronounced insufficient 20 coerce the sim
gle State of Virginia into submission and to save
itself from ignomenious defeat the Administration
Is preparing. in obedience to the outcries of the
Abolition Press, to Issue requistion for still
other hundred thousand volunteers, although it is
not probable they could be pushed Southwark as
far as Richmond, even If they were all marshalled
to-day On the Southern banks Of the Potomac. The
expenses of Government are nearly twenty mil
lions of dollars month, and if the war continues
must soon be doubled. A national debt of several
hundred millions is in prospect in face OF an lmpov-
erished country, and credit already so impaired
that money can only be raised at the most ruinous
sacrifices. Martial law has been uneonstituhonally
proclaimed the privilege of the writ of hdbeas
pls has been arbitrarily and tyrauicsly suspended,
and we are on the eve of hostilities with Great
Britain, whose fleets will blockade Northern har-
bors while opening the ports of the South, besides
dnllnliatl10 our Commerce. Inc Oon5tlluElOu udS
become 6y-word, security of life and property
is gone and notwithstanding this hdeous recapitu-
lation of crimes and calamities, the end which has
been the hypocrteal preteKt for them of restoring
the unity of the Republic is further removed
than ever BEFORE has become, in TRUTH nearly hope
less.
The industrial classes of the country are surely
and fearfully aware that universal impoverishment
and causeless national ruin will be the result of the
perpetuation of the reign of terror which has re-
Sbod
and aimed to destroy the freedom of the Press. On
Change in contingencies and manufactures, in
omnibuses and In the street, respectable thinking
people are impelled once more by sheer necessity,
and the law of sefpreservaton TO speak, and their
voices are hourly becoming louder, and more indig
nant and determined, in behalf of peace, and ces-
saton of the inroqds that being made upon pop
ular liberties and rights. Sensible Republicans
who some weeks ago, advocated civil war. confess
themselves ashamed of their precpitaney, and are
endeavoring to atone for it by assuming bod and
reactionary attitude. Newspapers, additionally
conservative, but frghtned by the mob manifies-
tations of the middle of April into cOnniving at Alb
clifton treason again venture to declare the truth,
and as representative Of the capital and industry
of CITY and country speak with wonted dignity and
tirmness of the imperiOus emergency which de-
mands their efforts TO restore peace. No disinter
ested patriot will refrain from welcoming the aid
that may be derived from such sources. because of
past momentary weakness. The conduct of Mr. Lin
terrible tragedy. At such time, when the land is
being fast drained of its resources, the lives of tens
of thousands of useful men are being offered as
sacrifice to the Mooeh OF an Unsuitable and fanati-
cal ambition, and the Encouragement of = few
weeks longer may see US plunged into war with En-
gland we deyoutly thank the Ruler of the inverse
for every single individual which may aid in swell
ing the avalanche of reaction. which is about to
overwhelm Republican misrule.
Corrupt Northern politicians are strainiDg every
nerve to close the door forever against friendly re-
lations with the South. They will hasten and
embitter the civil war that has begun through every
device in their power. 1t is the imperative duty of
every good citizen, therefore, TO throw of the re-
serve and silence of the past and to protest openly
and On every occasion, against the continuance of
hostilities. The Union may yet be reconstructed;
but it cannot be done by violence. The logged de-
termination of the Administration to preclpitate
collision between the two sections is the Of
all our present dangers Will the industrial classes
of the United States lend themselves as instruments
of its diabolical schemes? Will they fire their own
dwellings destroy. with frenzied hands the magni
fcent social and political fabric of which the corn
er-stone was cemented in the blood of their fore
fathers? If not, let them hereafter think aloud. If
they will do so, their voices will drown into silence
the crafty disunion utterances, which. for two
months past, have represented darkness to be light
and light TO be darkness.