The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-06-21
Aashrllle Atuiou.
sArURDAY MonNINo. JuNE q, Ice.
SPEECH
- ~ 49,
GEORGE BABER,
Atthe Union Meeting, az PuIaskI,
Tennessee, on the l7th Lost.

Mr.. BABER spoke substantially as fol-
lows He said that his mission TO Pulaski
was not to make a public speech. His
usual sphere Of action was wholly differ
ent from that Of oratory; but if it was
the pleasure Of that large and intelligent
audience that lie should express his viows
upon the subject under consideration he
would endeavor in his simple way to give
them He said: If ] understand the
nature Of this interesting occasion, you
are assembled to interchange opinions
touching the reorganization of the civil
Government Of Tennessee and the recess
tablishmeut of the Federal relations of
the State. This is a grave subiect--ono
whose importance we cannot easily over
estimate.
Perhaps il is known to some now pre-
sent that, during well-nigh the entire
preceding year. have, as editor Of a
public journal in the State, devoted my
feeble powers in behalf of the Southern
Revolution. Until Tennessee joined the
rebellion, l had, in the walk of private
citizen, earnestly avowed my preference
for the Union. Indeed, | had accustomed
myself TO regard the American Union rs
, indissoIubc 1t seemed to me that the
intcracings Of social, political and ma
terial interests that had so long kept the
nation intact, were planted so deep and
had grown so strong as TO have become
inseparablo forever And Ihad felt that
no iustiiiablo cause existed for dis
memberment of tie country. But, the
heaving tide Of revolution came, dashing
high and nightly, and upon its foaming
crest, Tennessee went drifting away.
The tempest, you know, was irresistible,
by but comparatively few within the
limits Of the State. The companions of
my boyhood and the aged counsellors
around me Joined the frenziod multitude
that raised the voice of rebellion. / do
not mean by this to relieve my own
shoulders of the responsibility for my
own weakness in that hour of trial.
bear the responsibility myself But,
do mean, however humiliating to my
manhood ii may be, that the sympathies
Of my nature surmounted my judgment,
and / went drifting too. You, fellow
/ citizens, understand all this, for you
were q part Of that multitude, and have
shaB Z its various fortunes. But, we are
uet rot 50 much 10 excuse the errors Of
the past, as 70 look With honest hearts
upon the circumstances about Ne, and to
determine our future duty. We are pact
the drifting point now
So far as the waves of Revolution are
concerned in Tennessee, they have closed
down in the presence of recent events
that have wondrously changed the whole
aspect Of this great struggle And when
you ask me. to-day, what is 10 be the
destiny of Tennessee? ! frankly give
you my conviction, that--looking to her
borders, encompassed, as they are, by
Federal military power aud looking "a
her sister States in rebellion THE DEs-
TINY OF TENNESSEE Is UNALTERADLY FINEr
tn THE UNION. This is my conyictio
II matters but little whether, in your
hearts, You desire that this shall be OF
not When we joined the rebellion we ac'
cepted the gage of battle with the Govern
meut, and now the fortunes Of war hav,
determined the question. The Rcvolu
ton is failure, so far at least as ih'
interests of this State were involved
and believe that its failure is soon to b,
demonstrated wherever resistance is YET
maintained. We have witnessed the un
paralelled power Of the Government w
b have seen its victories, The banner 0
! the Union still moves on, conqucring ant
I TO conquer, and, surely, it is not the par
b Of wisdom to close our eyes TO the inevi
4 table result before us.
And, now, what shall we dove citi
J Etus oil Ieuutbhtt' hNtIhuhNtu ny ines
unmistakable signs Of destiny? lwoul,
p say, as a Southern man, and speakin
+, from the rebel stand point, return wit
willing hearts and judgment convinced
}, to the ancient Gag ofthe country. Thi
is our duty, as IL appears to me. Loo
at Tennessee, to-day How does she ap
j pear to you? She was once a proud
I. vigorous aud glorious State But, to-day
o she lies Pyo5lrois ia As dlF Her limb
are motionlcss you can hardly tell tho
a great heart throbs within her, and
- would seem that she bad found her dy
ing couch. Thus she will lie foreye
under the rude pressure Of military pow
% or, unless we, her children, by inyokin
the spirit Of the past, putting on h,
civil robes again enable her 20 rise froi
the earth in all her power majesty an
pride This is the duty before us; an
\ as a son Of Tennessee / beseech y0
4 fellow-citizens, 20 give yourselves
the work Of restoration. Il will be be-