Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-11-09
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1t is not to be disguised that an invasion o
Tennessee constitutes leading feature in the pre-
gremme Of the LINCOLN Government, for the prose
cution Of the war against the South. Il can d
longer be doubted that such an effort will be made
at "a early day, and upon 3 scale commensurat
with the important infuence which q successful
attack upon tins State would exercise in the pro
gress Of the great contest.
Under such circumstances, it becomes q CUES
ton involving the dearest interests of the peo
pie of the State, to decide in what manner
and By what means, the calamity of an invasion
may be avoided All mere pecuniary considera
tons sink into insignifeSnoe, when weighed agains
the possibility of such contingency.
In such an emergency, is it the part of wisdom FOL
the State of Tennessee to rely solely upon the pro
lection which may be afforded by the Government o.
the Confederate StatenP
In pres ence of the vast field of operations
through which the present war is difused, is i
within the compass of human wisdom or power, fol
those having charge of the general operations o.
our army to be at all times and in all places pre-
paredfor any emergency which may arise!
Would it not be the part of true wisdom, for our
State authorities to provide for the organization OF
at least the nucleus of an army, around which the
patriotic citizens of the State might rally in pc
riod of danger
We cannot and should not shut our eyes
to the importance of the present emergen.
cy. A comparatively small effort now in re.
pelling an invasion, would be more effective than
all the concentrated powers of the State, at later
period. To repel an enemy, we must be prepared
to meet him. and be approaches too near, to drive
him back.
While we have full confidence in the wisdom
of the Confederate States Government, we do not
think it would be the part of true wisdom for Ten
nessee to rely solely upon others for her defence
The Legislature, How in session, should make such
immediate provision for our SAFETY as the emergen
cy demands. In our view, the best mode by which
this may be accomplished is to provide at once for
the procurement of arms. With the implements of
war in the hands of our citizen soldiers, we may
repel any attack which LNCoIN's mercenaries
may make against US, and the only mode
by which We may secure this end beyond q
doubt or a contingency is to purchase them our
selves. We can perform no greater service to the
Confederate States, than by providing arms for the
defence of cur homes, while nothing else would
tendso much to accomplish our own security.
ately organized at least two brigades, for active
service, who should be employed in such manner as
will best promote the security of our own State
They should constitute force upon which the Statt
might rely in any emergency, and around which
the people might rally, If the necessities of our po
sition should demand general call upon the citi-
zens for the defence of their homes.
The State Governments should, as far as possible,
relieve rather assist the general Government in
protecting themselves against the encroschments
Of the enemy.
Our duty TO ourselves impeIatiyely calls upon US
to use every reasonable preesuton for our defense
and security. 4 months delay may be fatal
Whatever is done should be done promptly. From
every direction the enemy is approaching but We
need have no apprehensions if we will but conceD-
trste and give proper direction to tie elements of
strength which exist around US.
There appears to be q prevailing sentiment that
the Legislature, now in session, should come up
promptly to the work of organization and cen
struction of effective power, cut of the materials
which abound everywhere.
Nothing could tend the security of the State so
efectually as to organize few thousand men for
present active service, and to provide the arms
whieha possible contingency may render necessary.
to save our beloved State from the horrors of
ruthless invasion.
Nay we not hope that the Legislature will give to
this subject its immediate and undivided attention
and that these or other more efficient means will b,
employed to make US all feel that we are secure
against any probable contingency of the war?
Action should be now the watChwOrd and, while
we yield to none in the confidence repose in the
wisdom of the Government at Richmond, we should
not forget that greatest security will consist in
our own preparations to meet the enemy. While
we place our trust in Providence, let US not forget
to keep our powder dry" and while we rely to
reasonable extent upon the assistance of our con-
federates, in the hour of danger, let US not for
get that our defence must in the nature of things
rest greatly upon ourselves.