Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-02-07
To the Vsfsrs of Smith and Sumner

JAS. P. HAMMER,
CAREY 4. HusRIs,

Fsuou- Cilizeas of Smith and Sumner Counties:-I
take this mediur to announce to you, that at the
solicitation of pany voters of all parties, have be-
come candidate to represent our Senatorial Dis
trict in the Convention which has recently been
called by the Legislature of Tennessee. To be a
candidate is r Tel position for me. Ny ambition
has led me to rHure quiet and unpretending walks
than to be found upon the political arena. II
has not been n habit TO court public favor, yet in
political crisis ike the present think it behooves
every man to l,S sensible of our danger-to rise
above the shackIes of party-leave even the quiet
walks of homC and subject himself to the wishes
of his countryz,sn, if his neighbors and friends,
whe know him !.est, desire it.
That Black }iSoublicanism is based upon hostility
to the institute y Of the SOuth-that it has triumph
ed IN the recers Presidential canvass-exelusively
upon that idea .re facts not to be denid. Thatour
social position sud property rights endanger-
ed by that s'i$s>ss, is not only evinced by their
rapacity for ~. er, manifested by them in the
late canvass, by the avowed principles of the
President ele ut in his appointing, by way of
insult and ouCssEe. the arch enemy of the South
VIM H. SEwE A,S to be Chief Advises in his Cabinet
The spirit fsS}lack Republcanism, which now
holds almoss N undsputed sway in the North. is
the growth .s.SSny years. assuming, at different
times differ Ts,ut irsidious forms. Its mischieY-
Gus sentime, :, aud tendencies have become the
ruling passio Il the Northern mind, until unrelent
ing fanaticsB ITS legitimate fruit. have yet to
learn that his points to an instance where social
and religious Il atheism was appeased by submis-
sion or comes 4. Does it not become Us, then,
as freemen, - leBldnd constitutional rights?
This We cannhE by empty resolves and meaning
less petitions, n must do it by decisive action Re
publicanism .rsady denied our Christian COM
munion, becal heir consciences could not endorse
what they cal e moral leprosy of slavery 1t
has refused Il US sojOurn or even pass through
the North VIZ our property, but by mobs, and
through the n ;ery of law claimed freedom for
the slave whe ice on their territory. 1t has vio-
lated the Cons ton State comfy. and the laws of
Congress bee they afford protection to our pro
perty. 1t (Re8 llicanism) has refused US our just
share of lands8 .guired mainly by Southern dIplo.
macy. SOgthe.2 Hood and treasure. 1t has refused
shelter and ses 3ity to our property beneath the
flag of cOmn5M country, even when in the hands
of our Marsh$A It has robbed US of our property
and refused re2 ration and recompense. 1t has re-
fused to deliyCW TO rightfu authorities, criminals
against our Ia n ghO fed to the borders with our
property and II with their hands reeking in the
blood of our CT ems. 1t has held US at bay with
their penal COCK threatening disgracetUl punish
ment if we puI;H ed our property across the Dor
der" and has III q murdered our citizens when at
tempting its re he. 1t has invaded our Southern
soil poisoned { III wells, put the torch to our dwell
lIngs. and place implements in the hands of ouF
slaves and adv II the murder of women and chill
dren. 1t has II thematsed US il their popular as
semBlies and p H Y meetings, and denounced us in
our common h& Il of legislation. az Outla VS., and as
beng no better a an robbers and thieves In fine.
Black Republic Fl ism has invoked and exerted all
the moral and steal agencies that its ingenuity
could devise, OF Nnatical malice employ, TO bring
reproach and il my upon people, and make
US a subject of Nltempt and scorn to all nations.
This party is H now a minority but a majority
party: and then y PRESIDENT elect not Only endorses
their platform. 81 defends their prncipl pies. and to
DO which he mp.S of necessity disregard the ludg-
nents of our &u.ts, apd the obligations Of our
sacred COnstitU Il n In return fOF such cOntumely,
outrage and VT II J, we have Practiced that virtue
(which hearetl8 all things, beieveth all things,
hopeth ali thing endureth all things which teach
es US to '.lov& our enemies and bless them
that curse u.s." { then, we would not desert like
dastards and mi Areants, all our rights, our homes
and the graves our fathers, must teach them
not by petitions resolves but by action, that we
will no longer u )mit to their lawess outrages-
that they must q Use them. or we lcE be two peo-
pie. | am in $yOr, therefore, of the contention,
and if elected $legate tie it. will favor Tennessee
taking such pro Mt and decisive action as viii Sc
cure her rights I'D maintain her honor. and when
that action is tai by the Convention, if it affects
our relationship Ito the General Government, be-
lievng that the Hople are the sources of all power,
and that governY ents are made for them. am in
favor of reterrIT the action of t.e convection back
to the people fOI5 their approval or disapproval.
If by the tins Alf the meeting Of the convention
there is reasonaSle ecertanty of fair. just, and
honorable settle 4ent of the controversy, upon the
basis of the reso ons recently introduced into
Legislature by Cir CAN'T, and passed by that body,
which | unders Ind to embody the spirit of the
'Crittenden prof ,sitons," l will favor such COM
promise upon IA basis but am willing to make no
bey0kI it; and if in my Judgment an
evidence is gveixan good faith, by the North, Of
speedy and fdUor action. that would do us justice
and be final " gid be willing, should l be elect
ed, to allow re ssnabe time fer its cCnsGmauoG,
unless perils wl.s5l may then surround Us would
not admit of posttrnement.
am unqualifttly against the doctrine of coer-
cling any State Siich has, may secGde as not
Dnly unconsttu tyal and impolitc, but as inaugu
rating scene y carnage and bloodshed among
who's ghts are based upon the popular |
will, and would y be true to my convictions were
not to say thai :: elieye from the recent acts of
Northern Legsl; . es, anG the pFincipes aVowed by
lis party that s ;oercion-will be the line Of hr.
Lincolns police Rr which we are prepared.
That six Sout & States-our Southern sisters
nave broken tn. Tnd of Union. ayowed their indie
and isfSa our cooperation with them, is
now a part of NY, and though we may lament |
t. it is none tbEelsS true. Revolution Is upon US,
and it becomes tt as men and patriots to look the |
matter full in n, face and act as the emergency
nav require tn whether | would advise sep |
lration from thsMs eneral Government (n which | |
I'm sorry to saw aslck Republicansm Is large (
v the controlling Slement) either peaceably or for
liblv in the ass ASon of our rights, would depend
nu5h upon the f$Sloansnt of eUentS 3ehicb daily
f4.ay be by the time the Coaven- |
ion meets that Elir and equitable adjustment OF |
present dificutiK might have been effected, in |
,uch process al EFould justify beiet IN an anna |
lble and pernantE arrangement between the hos 81
lie sections an Il mt which would REJOICE to fa- |
,ilitate Again n may be, by the time of the meet
no of the ConyeT&on that the memorable Logic of
events will demak that Tennessee prepare TO take |
are of her own Eterest and honor by cooper ating
With her Souther sisters and if at that time my
Judgment. such 8lurse IS required, land of that, |
sian olqim hsTsJt to decide ,gtsn the question is
,ressa!sc1 [ shaIEsao he laggard in taking such |
teps as will seet.eto Tennessee her rights aud |
naistain her honta' for am Southern by birth, ed
,cation, feeling snd interest. Knowing that the |
hort time between this and the 9th Of February |
the deY of electgn,l forblds thorough canvass of
he District Ihaye said thus much to yog tlist you
nay understand my position.
Respectfully your fellow-citizen,
j. H. HENRY. I
Feb. .. 1861.
The decided opinions and notorious intentions CT