Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-05-18

To ds5ats questions Is generally unprol1Aple. ~
is proposed here. therefore 10 ofges 40
to set Gown nothing that aanai's u e'nerencs "a
OpI Wssr n. states united N General do0e'sasegt
5e. e1cb Jsld in her hand constitution expressly Ses
tns torn end 7aing teirrgh % set Up ms soces,
s.y ce at am time ishsn her people sSss@
dee.s . 1;,e many persons have not thought of
~. And they not only affirm the doctrine as
ter of policy but tits declared TO De an lDhereh,
indefeasibe and nallenaole rl2Dts Nilch 10 -" o
sunervene or take away.
This proyision therefore, was not merely affirmed
10 these States as a principle in civil government,
Int it being set forth in their Constitutions when
thev each Joined the Confederacy, the same being
nderstood and assented TO by all the other States,
II became to all intents and purposes, part of the
corpact between the States of so confederating.
New let us see the express conditions precedent
in this regard upon which the Confederation was
formed:
MASSACHUSETTS entered the Confederacy with the
following stipulation: And whenever these great
objects are not obtained the people have right TO
alter the Government, and take measures necessary
for their safety, prosperity and happiness"
vermont: "And that the community have ln1upl-
tble, inalenabe and indefeasible right 10 REFORM
or alter their government in such manner as Snail De
by that community judged most conducive W lne
public veal"
CONNECTICUT: Sand that they 1.-THE people of the
STATED have at all times an lndublfsbie ana lnde
feasible rghtto alter their form OF government In
such manner as they may think eXpedent"
PENNSYLVANIA: "For the advancement of these
ends tev 1.-THE people, have, at all times an in ier-
able and iudefeasible right to alter, reform abol
ish their government, in such manner as they may
think proper"
VIRGNIA.-"And that when any Government shall
he found inadequate or contrary to these purposes
| majority of the community hath an indubitable,
iualienabe and indefeasible right to reform, alter
or abolish it, IN such manner as shall be judged most
conducive to the public weal.''
KENTUCKY" For the advancement of these ends
they (the people, have at all times an inalenable
and ndefessibe right to alter, reform or abolish
their government, in such manner as they may think
proper"
TENNESSEE" That all power is inherent in the
people, and all free governments are founded on
their authority, and instituted for their peace,
safety and happiness, for the advancement OF these
ends they have, at all times, an inaienable and in
defeasble right to alter, reform or abolish the
government, in such manner as they may think
proper"
MIssTsSTPI-Exactly the same, word for word
ALABAMA-Precisely the same, word for word.
the inherent, sole and exclusive right Of regulating
the internal government and police thereof and OF
altering and abolisng their constitution and form
OF government, whenever 1t nay be necessary 10
their safety and happiness
The constitutions of nearly all, if not all the
States, contain. substantially, this fundamental re-
serve condition of federstiOl In those of North
and South Carolina and Georgia the language is not
quite SO distinct and specific, but the meaning is the
same. And the same may be said of most Of the
Northern States. In truth confederation of Re-
publican States without such an understanding in
the federation would be- in the necessity of things,
either Military or Q Federal despousm.
There are some things which do not admit of
question or debate.
1t will be remembered that the original thirteen
had do md in
their hands, when they formed the Oonfederacy;
and those coming in afterwards had them examined
and approved by Congress at the time of their ad-
mission.
And moreover, further, lest any man should be
mistaken The "ARTlCLEs OF CONFEDERATION first
entered into between the States on the 9th of July
l77S. which are still in full force the "CoNsTITU-
TOM adopted the 18th Of September 1857, being
merely added thereto, stipuiateS 90 follows: ART.
Each State retains its sovereignty. freedom and
independence, and every power, Jurisdiction and
right which is not by this confederation expressly
delegated to the United States in Congress assem-
bledr
1t cannot fer moment be presumed that these
clauses in the State Constitutions mere declara
tons by end on behalf the State. When a
State was admitted into the Union, grhat was
submitted to Congress? Upon l5hdt did Congress
pass and vote? The State submitted her Constitution,
and nothing else, except evidence that she had the
requisite number of inhabitants. ETC. And in vot-
pressed It's assent her Constitution submitted
There was nothing else to vote upon And had
there been any thing in its provisions not warranted
by the Federal Constitution, denied by Congress,
most assUredly the State would for that reason have
been rejected The question of the admission OF a
State is the question of the agreement of its Consti
tuition with that of the Federal Government. Look
at the debates pending the admission of Kansas and
other States There was question TO inquire into.
except various ones pertaining to Its Constitution
submitted for examination and acceptance Was
that satisfactory? Did the State claim too much!
Was the Constitution legally 6ladel etc. These were
the questions.
If, in forming the Federal Government, and in
admitting States afterward, the very eXigency now
presented to the South had been clearly foreseen. it
could not have been more clearly and specifically
provided for than see it is in almost all the
State Constitutions The State was received upon
the conditions submitted in her Constitution, these
stipuatOns and conditions being agreed to by the
solemn legislation of Congress
This, then, SdInits of question: cOerciYe power
on the part of the United States. or OF State,
ing alone or in cooperation with others to prevent
q State from resuming her sovereignty, or in any
way interfering herewith is a plain. open palpa-
bic violation of the Constitution of the United States
and of each state-is downright mOnarchical tyran
ny and despotisHi Is in fragrant violation of eray
thing intended to be SACRED by the achievement of
American liberty, and DlLS be resisted TO the DEATH
or the last vestge Of Republican liberty &c GONE.
The Northern warfare is in the nature OF things,
essentially tyranncal, and subYersive of eUeTgtinJ
pertaining to the principles of human liberty 10 the
Constitution, well of the United States. Of every
State now and formerly comprising the Union. The
people Of Tennessee will resist their usurpatOns
and aggressiOns. and thus maintain their liberties,
or disgrace both ourselves Gnd the ashes of the
houOred dead whose blood ana Va!Cr achieved
them.