Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-02-23
"Let MS Hear before we Strike, ,.

The Hon. W. A. GRAHAM has published a
letter contradicting the rumor that he had
been offered seat in Mr.. LrNcoLS's Cabinet.
| He says no such offer has been made, and
would be declined, if made. He adds
The person now elected (President) has no
claim upon our section of the Union, except
that he has been elected according to the
provisions of the Constitution. that is suffi-
! Gent to entitle him to induction into office,
and to the exercise of its legal functions
acquiescence in the decision of majorities,"
says Jefferson Con questions committed to
| msjorities), :" is the vital principle of repub-
| lies, from which there is no appeal but to
| force, the vital principle, and immediate
parent of despotism." Let him then be in
| stalled in Office according to the requirements
| of the government under which he was elect
| ed, and give to the nation a summary of his
policy. The speeches on the hustings are not
| always the guides in the political admins
| tration of government. Let US hear before
we strike; there will be no abatement of man.
| IL spirit to vindicate our rights, after this
| ensues, from what existed before.
The real grievances of which the South has
right to complainant as TO which none
are more earnest in desiring redress than my
self-are not the result of Presidential usur
pations; they spring from disregard of the
oblig atoms Of the Constitution, among
large portion of the people of the non-slave-
holding States, favored in many instances by
the action of their State governments. The
remedies for them, if the present Congress
fail to agree upon them, should, in my opin-
ion, be sougM By calm appeal to The people hrough
q Cbnuenica of all the STATES. Such a body has
never been assembled since the adoption of
the Federal Constitution. 1t would proba-
bly, be free from the asperities which have
characterized the deliberations of Congress;
and il upon candid confession of opinions
our differences should be found to be irrecou-
cilable, it could provide for that peaceable
separation so much to be desired, if it must
come, and which is hardly possible in any
other mode. This may be too dilatory to ac-
commodate the views of more ardent natures,
but it may be tried in far less time than our
fathers spent in efforts for reconciliation with
their brethren beyond the Atlantic, before the
final severance. Is not the preservation of
the government of our ancestors, hallowed
by their wisdom, and consecrated 10 US
through thousand recolleciions of national
greatness, prosperity and renown, worthy of
such an experiment and thus much delay!
In endeavoring TO study and understand it
by the light of the history of the past, it has
seemed TO me that it was government made
for this people, and the people for the govern
ment. Let us preserve and regulate it if pos
sible-nOt destroy it. / have but little hope
of seeing another securing to us so much
freedom, pro perity and safety. 1 have still
less from reconstruction, which is the favor
lite idea of its destroyers. 1t was difficult to
procure its adoption by nineteen States amid
circumstances Of the most pressing necessity.
1t will be still more difficult to obtain the
ratification of new system by fifteen, with
the diverse theories of government, interest,
and safety which pervade them. All these
risks of the future, shall, l trust, be as ready
as other men to encounter, if the public in
terest or safety, or honor shall require it.
But would have North Carolina to signalize
her devotion to that Constitution, which her
people have loved SO well, and whose cove
nants she has SO faithfully kept, by modera-
ton, forbearance and abstinence from precip-
itate aetion-to mediate and pacify if posi-
ble-to prevent the disintegration of the Con-
federacy, at least until its different members
shall have sufficient time and opportunity in
candor and spirit of justice to understand
the positions and ideas of each other. When
this shall have been done, do not despair of
seeing return of peace, amity and union.
1t not, and the destruction of the Govern
ment becomes necessity, we shall at least
have the consolation to know that our best
efforts were not wanting for its preservation.
Very respectfully yours.
w. A. GRAHAM.
Hillsboro, Feb. g. 1861