Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-01-30

Last summer Cen l.. L. HALKEE, the
Commissioner from Alabama to this State,
made speech in Franklin County in that
State, in which he addressed himself to the
poor particularly. He believed that the
election of Lincoln would be the means OF
precipitating the Southern States into the
vortex Ct disuniOH, and that civil war would
be one of the consequences. He urged the
necessity of concentrating the vote of the
Southern States upon Mr.. Breckenridge to
defeat Lincoln, contending that there was no
other way to prevent his election. To enlist
the poor in the support OF Breckenridge, lie
told them that if Lincoln should be elected
and disunion and civil war should follow, on
them would fail the breast of battle. The
rich, he argued, could leave The country or
hire substitutes, and thus escape the person.
al consequences. But the poor could not do
this. They could not even in times of pros
perity and peace, get money to- emigFate
when they wished to better their condition,
as new fields for their enterprise were opened
They were fastened to the soil. aud could not
escape. If civil war, with its horrors came,
they must needs shoulder the mugkeis, and
march fourth to battle, leaving their wives and
children to support themselves as best they
could. This was esteemed at the time fair
argument in favor of Breckenridge. 1t was
an appeal to the poor as a class to stand by
Breckenridge with view to save the Union,
and protect themselves against the dangers
and privations Of civil war. And why should
it not now be fair argument to the poor TO
stand by the Union which has sheltered and
protected them, which has conferred upon
them a thousand blessings and has never, to
the weight of feather. oppressed them Why
should they not feel that the secessionists
aud disunionists. who are rushing the South
into civil war. are cruelty jeopardizing their
lives, and the lives of their families and
take steps to protect and defend their inle-
rests?
The election of Lincoln was a great misfor-
tune. As triumph of tislavery section
alism, it was ominOus Of future evil. 1t de-
manded of The Southern people some action
to resist its Influences, and to preserve their
constitutional rights. But their duty to
themselves, to the past, and to the future,
should have counselIed them 30 exhaust ev-
cry remedy within the Union before resorting
to disunion- The Cotton States have not
chosen to do this They have preferred re-
sistance to the Federal Government and rev.
olution; and the sfriends OF secession-the
advocates of disunion--in cur midst. are
demanding that Tennessee shall, with equal
haste, and want of elaboration, do the same
thing. Large numbers OF our mechanics and
laboring poor, in public meetings, have pro-
tested against such action. The great mass
of them are for Cancellation and compromise
for practising forbearance and deiiberation
for asserting the rights of the South, and
for preserving the Union, If possible. They
have not given up all hope, because fanatical
leaders of the republican party treat with
Ievity or indifference the idea of surrendering
their anti-slavery dogmas. They ask that
whatever Tennessee does, shall be done with
calmnes and coolness- that there shall be
ample time given for reflection at home, and
for a development of the intentions of the
powerful masses of the North. Representing
the classes, who, in the language OF General
WALKER. are fastened TO the soil, and must
bear the brunt of battle, their demands should
be heard and respected. Nothing is TO be
lost by the delay they ask. On the 4sh OF
February the seeded States will frame their
government. Tennessee will have, and can
have, no voice in its formation If she enter
il she must tzke it, as she took the federal
government, AID. respect its authority. IL
viii make no difference to her whether she
enter it the 4th of March. or four years there.
after. She cannot, at either period OF time,
change its provisions; and whenever she may
ask to be admitted she viii be joyfnlly re-
ceiyed, on the conditions imposed on her and
ali new eomers BIZ the patent government