The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-04-30
An Important Secret Circular.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala, April 18th, 1854
As the war progresses, evidences &C
cumuiate Of anintention to bring about
a revolt Of the Slave States, under
whatever circumstances might arise
No matter what disposition the then
incoming Administration might exhib-
il towards the injurious minority. No
matter what disclaimers and over
lures" might be made to sooth and con
ciliate the South, there is every evil
dence that the leaders prepared in sea-
son to counteract its effect and plunge
the country into war
have to-day come in possession Of a
secret circular, issued at Charleston,
five moths before the firing on Sumter
The document is genuine. 1t is signed
by one of the wealthiest and ablest
lawyers Of South Carolina, and the copy
which 1 enclose to the Tribune was ad-
dressed to one Of the most prominent
and influential citizens of Alabama
Huntsville rebel whom Gen Logan or
dered south Of our lines.
It should be borne in mind that this
circular was issued before the meeting
Of the Congress of l86l-2-before the
introduction of the Crittenden resolu-
tions-before the Peace Congress- Yet
now, after nearly three years Of unpar-
alleled war, you find incompetent Off
GERS and unworthy citizens proposing
these same disclaimers and over
lures.
The italics in the following copy of
the circular arc mine:
ExrcUrrvE CHAKBHR, "THI 1900 Assoc1ATIov,")
CHARLEsros, l9th November, 1880. !
In September last, several gentlemen
of Charleston, met to confer in refer
ence to the position of the South in the
event of the accession of Mr.. Lincoln
and the Republican party to power
This informal meeting was the origin
of the organization known in this com
munity as "The 1860 Association.
The object of the Association are:
lst To oonducta correspondence with
leading men in the South, and, by an
interchange of information and views,
prepare the Slave States to meet the
impending crisis
ID. To prepare, print and distribute
in the Slave States, tracts, pamphlets,
&c, designed to awaken them to a con
yiction OF their danger and to urge the
necessity of resisting Northern and
Federal aggression.
3D. To inquire into the defenses of
the State and to collect and arrange in
formation which may aid the Legisla-
ture to establish promptly, an effective
military organization.
To effect these objects, a brief and
simple Constitution was adopted, ere
ating q President, a Secretary and
Treasurer, and an Executive Commit
tee, specially charged with conducting
the business Of the Association 1861
600 pamphlets have been published, and
demands for further supplies are re-
ceived from every quarter. The Asso-
citation is now passing several of them
through a second and third edition.
The Conventions in several of the
Southern States will soon be elected.
The North IS prepared to s0otke and con-
ciiats tie South BY disclaimers and Overtues
The success Of this policy would Be disas-
tro,S 10 the cause Of Southern Union and
Independence, and Il 10 necessary to resist
and defeat It, The Association IS preparing
pomphLcts Dih this special object Funds
are necessary to enable it TO act prompt
ly. The 1860 Association" is laboring
for the South, and asks your aid
lam, very respectfully, your obi sv't,
ROBERT n. GOURDN,
Chairman Of the Executive Committee