Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1861-05-10
Don't Cheat Yourselves !

will he reconstructed even after all the wrongs and
bitterness and bloodshcd Of civil war The suppo-
stion is prepUsterons and no wish he ut
rance with the true interests Of the South and the
natural impulses Of wronged and nsnted people.
But upoH what is this hope based? Is it upon the
expectation of ultimate justice at the hands of the
North If So the delusion is complete, indeed. If
conquered the South becomes n degraded province
of the North; il not conquered, it will secure at the
close of n bloody conflict the separation now deni-
ed il as Il peaceful remedy for wrongs which have
forced dissolution of the Union. Them let us look
at the question in its true light aud resolve to meet
1t as men who prize liberty above all else-as proud
men who are ever ready to resist malignant nggres-
sion with the spirit of brave hearts and the vgor of
strong arms, and who spurn the idea of being whip
ped into union with nm mplacable foe, or of be-
ing held ms conquered people-the degraded sub
jects of tyrant.
Remember how earnestly the conservatives, of
both sections, have striven to adjust quarrel on
terms just and honorable, and that Tennessee almost
to a man. insisted upon the Critenden resolutions
or their equivalent the only terms that the South
could would, or should accept and that Tennessee
farther pledged hersefo resist coercion to the last
extremity To all this, the ultra wing of the party
IN power turned a deaf ear, and demanded uncon-
dtional submission to sectional abolition rule. The
policy of the Administration, from the beginning
has been coercion-and for what2 Not to save the
Union--not to secure the allegiance of the border
States but to strike for the extinction of slavery and
the appropriation of southern soil to the of the
fanatic hordeS who envy our purer moral atmos-
phere, and covet our sunny cline and profitable
staples. That these are the ends and aims of those
who inauguraed the war; is apparent from thirty
years Of bitter hostility to our institutions and the
bold declarations of leading abolition journals that
such is the purpose of the administration journals
which daily gloa over the prospect that the "irre-
prcssible conflict" is soon to bring about the con-
summation so long and ardently desired. No man
ofCommon sense can believe that civil war will save
or reconstruct the Union. Lncons advisers be-
Iicve no such absurdity they know that peace, on
terms Just and honorable is the only chance to save
the old Confederacy from ACKNOWLEDGMENT; but, OBJ
stinately bent upon cXtermnatngs lavery they have
adopted war policy a the only means by which
that object can be accomplished Ransack the rec
ords of the abolition party and nnalyze its motives
make every allowance for the flbity of human
judgement give the party the benefit of every doubt
and still it is clear from the proof furnished by the
past and the present. that its sole aim is the utter
extinction of slavery
Every effort at pacfcation has failed because the
Administration is opposed to peace and for no other
II.
directona border State Conference might he sue
cessful war was commenced in violation of the Con-
sttution, and without waiting for the action of
Congress which has been ordered to convene in
view of the condition of the country And yet there
are men in Tennessee, who can see in all this no
Executive umrpation no hostile intent, no raid up
on slavery, and who content TO look with fold
ed arms, upon the slaughter Of their more southern
brethren--blind to the fact that the Gulf States
once subugated the border States must fall an easy
prey to the foe they are aiding and abetting in a
war upon the South. Lincoln says he took an oath
10 defend the property and uphold the Constitution
of the United States; the one, be has wantonly de-
stroyed, and the other he has violated by usurTaons
that would not be tolerated by any other civilized
people on earth. Yet be finds, even in the South
and among Shareholders, apologsts of his tyranny,
and sympathzers with his infamous motives.
We say TO Tennesscans--don't cheat Yourselves
or suffer others to cheat you, into the belief that
Lincoln is actuatcd by single just and patriot,
impulse, or that he has not usurped the highes
powers conferred upon Congress, or that civil wal
can save the Union, or that armed neutrality car
avert the blow he is aiming Mt slavery. These apol
ogisls tell the people that he is merely performing
his duty, and that his intention is to save the Union
not to abolish slavery. Tho declaration is moi
true Lincoln is himself the advocate of secession
in its broadcast meaning, and he has seized upon il
rs a mere pretext for his war upon slavery. And
il all other proof were wanting his OWN defense o
secession sullices to prove that the springs from
other motives and looks to other results. Read tn,
following extract from speech Of his, delivered in
Congress, on the 18th Of January, 1913.
Any people, anywhere, being inclined, an,
having the power, have the right to rise up an,
shake of the existing government, and form Il new
that suits them better. This is most valuable
most sacred right--a right which we hope, am
believe is to lihentr tho world. Nor Is this ri-h
confined To eases in which The whole people OF an
existing government may choose to exercise it,
Amy portion of such people that can MAY revolu
,iunile aud make their own of 81 much of the ter
r'tory MS they mhaNt More than this a majority
of any portion of such people may rcvou,iuulc, pal
down u minority, Inerminglcd with. or near about
them, who Macy opposc their movements. Sy.h NIL
norty was precisely the cnsc of the Tories of oul
own Revolution. II isaqallity of revolutions moi
IN go 10y old lines or by old laws bus to break ul
both aud make new ones, See Appendix to Cos
Globe 3oth Congress cath page.
Read the extract over again, and say whether th,
south has departed in the suEhto,l degree, from IN,
,o,snc laid down by liucolu himself and rhcr
a.k yourselves fit /, pro,lblc that abe NAN cutcr
,uuins these opinions, would make war upon scgcs
sion. We uhnk uur apl therefore conclude ih,l