The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-06-07
Tho Threat of Rebellion in East
h Tennessee. '' 2,

Tho Threat of Rebellion in Eas,
Tennessee. 8,
Prom the Nashville Pairiot.l 4 ~.
The Chattanooga Gazette, a Union pa
hper, has an article in which it comment:
upon the threat made by some of the
most ,impracticable Unionists in East
| Tennessee, mot 10 submit to the result
oil the election OH the Sth OF June The
Gazette says it is their duty TO submit
"or leave the State;" adding -"we mean,
of course. a constitutional and legal cleo
ton. N No other sort of election is 10 be
held; and no ohe will be prevented from
attending the polls and voting as he
wishes. We are sure every true and
reasonable advocate Of Separation and
Southern Independence desires that ev-
cry voter shall express his honest opin-
ions through the bal.ot-box. This is the
right of all, and should in no instance,
be obstructed. But when the result is
determined, and the fiat of the majority
has gone forth dissolving the connection
of Tennessee with the Federal Govern
ment, it becomes the duty of the minori-
ty to submit, and give the State the adj
vantage of their support in maintaining
iIs new position. That there will be a
vast majority in the State against any
further connection with the United
States, no room is left for doubt. 1t will
be utterlyoverwhelming; and, we doubt
not that the greater portion Of those who
may constitute the minority, will soon
regret their opposition as the most unfor-
tunate act of their lives. The PROPOSE
ton for the Declaration of the Independ-
ence of Tennessee, does not come up un-
der circumstances like those which sur
rounded the Cotton States when they
seeded. They might have postponed ac-
ton, and secured the cooperation of all
the slave States. But we are obliged to
act, and to act promptly and efficiently
The Federal Administration, thrusting
aside the Constitution, have assumed In
perial Powers, gathered together an i'm
mense army, added greatly TO the Navy,
invaded the sovereign State Of Virginia,
blockaded the Southern sea-ports, and
threatened to subdue and subjugate the
entire South, unless the people meekly
bow to their authority. IN the face of
these things, and the dangers which
grow out OF them, delay in Tennessee
would be equivalent to submission and
dlshonor, or ruin and devastation. She
must, therefore, as speedily as possible as
sumo her independence, and ally her
self with her sisters Of the South whoare
already engaged in the war of resistance
to the Washington usurpers. Those who
oppose and vote against these necessary
measures of safety, Of freedom, will, in
the future, have stern settlement to
make with their consciences, and poster
ity. The people of our gallant State
are now passing through a crisis equal in
responsibility, as momentous in conse-
quences, as that which ushered in the
American Revolution, and ended in the
establishment of free and Independent
Republic. mo man, ,"--as has been just
ly said bya contemporary fully alive to,
and approaching the responsibilities of
the hour,-"can escape the necessity
which confronts him. Each man is build
ing up for himself character which will
attach to him through life. The true
nature Of men will now display itself
through all the conventional DISCUSSES
which long peace and a polished soci-
ETY. create" The records of this struggle
will be glorious and honorable, or inglo-
rious and degrading, to those who are
participants, as their names may be en-
rolled for or against the Independence
for which it is instituted. 1t is, we be-
lieve, the work Of an overruling neces
sity, urging us to the fulfillment of n
magnificent Destiny, and we cannot en-
tertain an apprehension of its success
In the near Future, when the revolution
shall have been accomplished, and the
South, rejuvenated, springs up amongst
the nations OF the earth, great and
free government, rich in all that exalts o
people, and renders u nation powerful,
those who vainly endeavored to anest
the onward course of events, will mourn
their folly in sackclotb and ashes, and
their action will be held up by the gene
rations TO come as an example to be
avoided and contemned. We trust that
there will be but few in East Tennessee,
who submit themselves to such an ap-
palling fate.