Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1862-02-10
Tennessee Union Men.

The dispatches to Zollicoffer call to mind
come facts about the men of that State which
are forgotten in the hurry of events. Ten
nessee has never ceased to be represented in
both branches of Congress, aud her gallant
Senator, Andrew johnson, has shown him
self, from the beginning of the struggle, one
of the most dauntless and uncompromisiug
Union men. 1t is remarkable, also, that all
the really prominent public men of Tennes-
see, even those who were at one time
beguiled into the Secession movement have
gradually and silently withdrawn from it
and are heard of no more. John Bell made
some silly speeches last spring; but he pres
emily subsided, and has not reappaared on
the surface of affairs, Mr.. Johnsen's fellow
Senator, A. o. P. Nicholson, also keeps still,
and is not, so far as we know, in any way
connected with the rebels. So with ex
Governors Brown and Campbell, Mr.. E wing,
the former Congressman, Cave johnson and
others; while Judge Cetron, Of the United
States Supreme Court has never swerved
from his duty and allegiance.
Tennessee and Arkansas are the two in
terror States of the South. All the other
have more or less sesboard, but these two
are dependent for their communications
with the outer world upon other States, and
the following extract from a speech of Mr..
A. o. P. Nicholson, before the notorious
Southern Convention, held at Nashville in
1850, shows that he at least perceived what
special risks his State would run in joining
the Southern conspiracy. Mr.. Nicholson's
speech was printed in the Nashville Union
of November 3O 1850. In it he said:
Let us now approach the remedy proposed
by the committee for the evils complained
of-pesceablO Secession 1t is asserted that
each State upon entering into the Union re-
served the right TO resume the power sur
rendered to the Federal Government when
ever, in the opinion of such State, it is
expedient that the connection with the other
States should be dissolved, and the exercise
of this right is called peaceable Secession. If
such right exists it may be resorted to with
or without reasons; with or without cause :;
and it can not be questioned either by the
Federal Government or the other States.
To illustrate the idea: Louisiana may con-
clude that her interest would be promoted
by seeding from the Union. By the act of
Secession she resumes that portion of her
sovereignty surrendered to the general Gov
ernment, and she becomes completely SOW
ereiRn ard indeper dent government. The
general Government can enforce no law
within her territory; and the other States
can set up no objection TO her Secession. She
may enter into treaties and form alliances
with other foreign powers, and hold possess
sion and exercise jurisdiction over the mouth
of the Mississippi, and the other States, whose
commerce floats on its bosom, can interpose
no objections-she is exercising the reserved
right Of Secession Alabama may do the
same, and SO may South Carolina, and
so may New York; and 80, by the exercise
of this peaceable and convenient remedy
the interior States may be cut off from the
seabosrd, except through foreign territory