Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1861-01-04


I esy- The Legislature meets on Monday, and has
important duties to perform--bcaring upon Federal
as well as State policy. Some measures are inds-
lpensabe for the relief of the financial embarrass-
ments which are pressing so heavily upon the peo-
lple. What those measures should be- we shall not
attempt to say, but trust they will prove efficient
for never did the people stand in greater need Of
aid than at this time In view of the distracted
condition of the country, and the rapidly incrcas-
ing demand for concert of action amongst the slave
States we hope the Legislature win second that de-
mand and provide for the representation Of Tennes-
see in Southern Convention, should one be called,
or for Commissioners, should another form of Con-
fereuce be agreed upon by the other States. Ten
nessee should speak out distinctly and wisely Its
geographical positon--to say nothing of its popu-
Nation commerce and iutegence--give it no little
Weight in this hour of trial. and both sections will
Nok, with interest, to the proceedings of the Leg
nature which, though not elected with any refer
en(e to the present emergency it is to be hoped will
discard party feeling and look only to the great in
terests involved
There is still another question bearing upon our
Federal relations which we hope will not be over
looked. We alluje to the late speech of Andy
johnson. During the late Presidential canvass, we
did not hear Democratic speaker who did not
openly proclaim resistance in case Lincoln was
elected or contend that secession was the rightful
and constitutional remedy for Northern aggressions
This was the almost universal sentiment Of the
Democrats of Tennessee, and not a few of the OPP
position inclined to the same opinions This being
represented the State, and, in doing So has given
aid and comfort to the Black Republicans. At this
particular time, when Committees of both Houses of
Congress are anxiously seeking some mode of I'D
justment, policy should have dictated the suppress
sion of snch a speech from Southern man. as en-
inenty calculated to encourage the Republicans in
resistance to any efforts to settle the difficulty and
to misead them as to the feelings of the people OF
Tennessee. This false impression it is the duty OF
the Legislature TO correct and at the same time
rebuke the Senator for paudcring to Northern sem
tinent with Interior views Of personal aggrandize-
ment.
We agree with Andy Johnson, in the main, in
hiS NVhidl vi Vi SCCtssiOD, anu, Or
binary circumstances, the denial of the right would
imply the power to coerce; but in this case, such
an inference is not altogether legitimate. The VIC
lator of contract has right to coerce the party
with whom he contracted to stand to the bargain
afler his own act has annued it. If the Republi-
can States had uniformly complied with all the re-
quircmcnts of the law and the Constitution, and
South Carolina had seeded without any excuse
there would be show of justice-indced it would
become duty to force her back into the ranks and
all good citizens would sanction it. But ten of the
Republican States have nullifed u law of Congress
and violated a provision of the Consttution-be-
sides having aided in converting national into a
sectional Government.
This bong undeniably true their own violation o.
the Federal compact dvests them of the right tc
enforce its observance by others, aud it is adding
insult to injury to even hint that Southern State
may, or ought to be, coerced by a party which was
the first to violate the Constitution and laws And
such hint from Southern man. at this time ant
under such circumstances, bespeaks the traitor al
/, heart and bctrays the groveng instincts of thu
dirty demagogue. We are no advocate of secession
as constitutional right nor of disunion until al
honorable efforts have failed to avert it neither Dc
we admit that two wrongs make a right, but WI
have no federation for the idea that the Republican
party, after being guilty of notification, shall b
permitted to use force against Southern State 70
similar oiIense.
These are our sentiments, and wa believe tn
same are entertained by an overwhelming mojorit
Of the people of Tennessee. If 50, Andy grossl,
msrepresents the State and his bid for the success
t sion to Lincoln calls for stern rebuke from tn
4 Representatives OF the people. u