Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-01-25
For the Daily Patriot.
Duty of Tennessee. i'm the Crisis.

The anxious inquiry of every patriot is,
what ought Tennessee to do in this hour of
peril? Ought she to precipitate herself out
OF the Union, as though it was treason or
disgrace to live in it day longers Ought
she to throw herself into the arms of the
Cotton Confederacy, as though that were her
only security? or as though sne were eager
to throw off the restraints of the Union, for
the embraces of the Confederacyf Or shall
she suspend her decisions, till the North shall
have time to make up her ultimatum, and
let US know, definitely, what she will do, OF
make i. manifest to all that she will do
nothingf
These are mOmentous questions, the solu-
ton of which, involves responsibilities of
sach fearful magnitude, as should cause ev-
cry patriot-every thoughtful man to pause,
and weigh consequences, before he takes q
step be cannot recall at will. Now, if ever,
is the time to "stand still, and see the saliva
ton of the Lord, which he will show you.''
The public mind is embarrassed, bewilder-
ed, and unsettled. Politicians, demagogues,
and those that have nothing to lose, are ca
ger for change, for revolution, for war! But
are thoughtful men-high-born Tennesseans,
the sons of revolutionary sires-prepared to
exchange their libel ties, their security, their
unparalleled prosperity, for anarchy, for un-
mitigated despotism, grinding them to the
earth under insupportable taxation, or
Wholesale confscation. South Carolina is this
day grooming under greater oppression, than
any section ever has or ever can suffer in
the Union. And the other seeding States
will, in one month, drink the same cup Of
bitterness. Misery seeks fellowship, and
these States are doubtless solicitous that
Tennessee soldiers should fight their battles,
and Tennessee capital should foot the bill.
But is Tennessee prepared to rush into a
fratricidal war, with all its accumulating hor-
rors? A war that offers no attainable ad-
vantage-a war the end of which no fore
sight can fathom. What has Tennessee to
gain even in successful contest? She does
not want to stock her farms with cheap, BAR
6arian negroes. They would be useless to
her. She does not want to exchange mod
crate tariff for ruinous taxation? Her pro-
perty is more secure in the Union than it ev
er can be out of it. She has nothing to gain
by going out of the Union. If the Cotton
States think they can do better out. let them
try it. Tennessee does not think so. and,
| therefore, she has no inducement to go opt;
and it is asking TOO much to insist that she
shall go merely for the accommodate ton of her
neighbors, who anticipate profit by the ex-
pertinent.
True, Tennessee wants guaranty OF our
Northern neighbors, for better neighborship;
but che can get that only in the Union, and
if she will exercise little patience, with
perseverance in the right direction, she will
secure her rights in the Union. But when
we shall have exhausted ell milder means,
and patience has bad "her perfect work." if
we shall fail, then we can secede with a good
conscience and righteous cause.
Moreover, if Tennessee stands firm, Ken
lucky, Virginia and the Middle States will
stand with her, and these States will form
barrier between the North and the South, to
keep them from fighting. And that is just
what the Southern States desire; and shall
we not crafty them, as it will cost us no.
thing?
L hope all the Middle States will stand
still till we see what the North will do for
US, and what the South will do for them
selves. Then, if we see that we can better
our condition by identifying our interests
with either party, we will adhere to that par
ty which promises the largest liberty and the
greatest security. We can lose nothing by
waiting few weeks or months-we may lose
all by precipitancy. Stand still and see
what we shall see, and then we can act ju-
dioiously and tremendously
TENNESSEE.