Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-04-30
SPEECH OF Mr.. KIRBY.

The committee then retired for ltation
In their absence Josiah Kirby spoke as follows:
have little business TO present to this meeting
| There is only one condition upon which can speak
and that is that can be heard. am not accus
toned to speaking in a building like this. and per
haps it will be very difficult for you to hear what
say. unless we have the most perfect quiet in the
room. shall be brief in what have to say. Ii
will consist simply in presenting to this meeting a
very able report from the Committee known as the
| Central Home Guard Committee. 1t is Immediately
connected, gentlemen, with the subject OF allowing
provisions and munitions of war to depart from oru
| city TO Southern States allow steamboats, thus
| laden 10 pass down Gu river without hauling TO
| and giving an account OF themselves. will state
gentlemen, that this committee has had under con-
sideratOn for ten days all the various intrca-
cies in connection with this matteri They have
ferred with the Governor; they have conferred
with the city authorities; they have appointed
all suitable committees; they have spent this
whole time forther country. without pay or COM
pensation. GCries of Good" and applause
Every effort of the Committee has been directed
TO the stopping Of all provisions or munitions of
which were designed to be transported to those
| States, not loyal to the Union. Applause But
gentlemen, in spite of all the Committee have DONE
we have had the Governor to acquiesce in the wish
Of a few interested merchants Kissing and cries
of traitors. In spite of all that we could do the
Mayor and city authorities have declared that they
have no power over the subject In spite of all that
we could do TO create fair understanding and a
patriotic sentiment between Kentucky and Ohio,
parties have been moving for the purpose of hold
ing neutral position in Ohio and Kentucky. No
such position can be maintained. loud applause ]
The American citizen, gentlemen, in Kentucky,
who does not strike for his flag is a traitor.
[Cheers.l Now, gentlemen, my object is to place
the Committee fairly before you. We have kept
down mobs; we have not the least doubt but our
efforts have subdued two three factious assem-
blies, which would have displayed mob law to
certain individuals and their property-we have
done this say in the hope that the civil authors
ties would interfere and carry out the wishes of the
people; but as that seems to have failed and the
people now determined. Bonaparte said, TO
end the war with clap of thunder, they msst take
1t into their own hands.
Patriots that look for the little town of Covington
alone what do you think of that kind of patriotism
that assemblies around the Court House, in Newport
and advocates an armed neutrality to protect the
Court House of Newport? Laughter.
Speeches of the same tenor were then made by
FRANK DARR, Esq, Gen. SAMUEL F. CAREY and Rev.
NJ D. CONWAY. After which Mr., ZISN made the fol-
lowing report which came from the whole com
mittee:
heSotced That we have read with the most pro-
FOUND regret the letter of Governor Dennison to
Mayor Hatch. lnasmGch as there can no longer be
any reasonable doubt in the minds of all citizens
oyal 10 the Union: thatthe and provisions being
shipped Southwardly are forwarded under .'sllcL
ctfcu'A~'I ectdeRce as TO create moral certainty of
an ie1tlOR 10 nee them qq1ist ,s and that IL Is now
700 iate 10 draw nice distinctions between open re-
bellcn and en- armed neutrality against the Union
htSotCed' mat while are ready, in case of
necessity to peril our lives and property in defense
OF the Union men OF kentucky, that the movements
OF troops IRON that state, the correspondanee no.
tween the rebels and her Governor her ono' -,
sal 10 respond TO the call for troops in bebalf NJ Tho
Union. and other acts of disoyalty ON tho ~, 80
many OF her prominent men, admonish Ms n me-
pare for her open secession In case of any consider
able reverse to the Union cause in any mart oF tbo
country and that every prudential consideration re,
ouires US 20 prepare Tor selfdefence; To rr,,s- :;
God and keep our powder dry?'
Resolved That the measures of the COMMITTEE 10
the Home Guard delegates and of the citizers VI y.
home IN refusing TO forward arms and provisions
southwardly, are highly patriotic and precautiona-
~ and deserve the approval of all Union men. and
that they be earnestly requested to continue their
endeavOrs TO render aid and comfort to their coun
try.
Resolued, That Committee of ten citizens be an
pointed TO wait upon the Mayor, and urge a suspep.
sion OF all shipments of arms and provisions until
further information regard thereto is received
from the National and State Governments
ReSolvad, That Committee of ten citizens and
as many others choose TO accompany them, pro-
coed TO Columbus Immediately, and respectfully,
tut firmly request Gov. Dennison TO reconsider the
terms of his letter 10 Mayor Hatch, and to take
measures for the prevention of any further ship
ments Sourlw6rcly OF all articles contraband Of
war.
ResOlrrd, That the Home Guards of the several
Wards be requested to name ten good responsible
men in each Ward, to act with the organized Com
mittee in carrying out the objecE of this meeting.
Peter Zinn Josiah kirby.
Samnel Hirst, j. S. Perkins,
h4chard Lewis, N. Bartlett,
John Pollock
Inc SooVe were adopted without dissenting
vote and Volriferously cheered by every one pres,
ent. VA" prs
a note was read stating that mere novVdar .,a
lead had been shipped the Magnolia, and the nro-
be readily smnggled away. "