Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-05-08
THE NEW STATE MovraExr.
The Knoxville COnvention-PIOcee
fnss Of the Second Day

THE NEW STATE MOVEMENT
rI,e knoxville COnyentiOn-PI0cees
ings Of tne Second Day.
The Convention at Knoxville continued
its session on Friday. The address, con-
sisting of a statement of reasons for divis-
ion Of the State, and resolutions expressive
Of the sense Of the Convention were adopted,
without much diyersity-as follows:
THE ADDRESS.
The idea of the separate political existence of
East Tennessee Is not recent one. Many years
ago before late and present political troubles,
a portion of people warmly cherished such
scheme. The great cham OF the Cumberland
Mountains divides and cuts US CT from the other
divisions Of the State. Our boundaries are every
where else on the mountain tops; Our people are
remote from the capital OF the state those ny
ing in the extreme eastern section, 10 reach 1t,
are compelled to travel over 800 mites. and some
of them nearly 400 There is difference in eli
mate and productions between the two sections,
and more marked difference between the people
in tastes, habits aud thoughts. In the elections
of February and June, 1861, the difference in pc
litieai sentiments and attachment was SO distinct
as IN fact to make a new people. That difference,
somewhat modified IT may be, stlil exits, anu VIII
continue for a generation or longer.
In view of this difference. and with view OF
aiding the General Government, the convention
which assembled at Greenville on the 18th day OF
June. 1861, which was largely represented by our
ablest. purest and best men, and by delegates
from every county, with remarkable unanlmlty.
after a FIVE days session. declared in favor Of a
new State and asked the Legislature then in ses-
siOn 10 give its assent thereto. Again IN March,
1864 that convention was Teassembled with the
avowed object of again pressing the matter, but
unfortunately other topics of more exciting in
terest then introduced, absorbed the attention OF
the members, and the primary object OF the meet
ing was lost sight OF.
The reasons for separation which existed five
years ago still exist and some OF them with IN
creased force There is not, and cannot be. any
harmony conformity of sentiment and feeling
between the people Of the two sections. The dlf-
ference is wide, irreconcilable. radical. A ma
jority indeed of almost all the people west of the
mountains were rebels in the late civil STRIFE
With equal unanimity our people were loyal TO
the Union. They hate us for our alleged treache-
ry to the South, while our people had much 10
complain of for their treachery to the Union, for
their conduct in sending troops among us to sub
jugate US. Now they constitute the majority IN
the State. To escape their rule the loyal people
of the State, they think, are compelled, for
sclf-protection, to exclude them, or the greater
part of them, from Office and the ballOt-bOx.
This is the beginning of increased evaporation
and it will exist after the next regular election IN
spite of, and in disregard OF, any franchise law
which may be passed. The probabilities are that
they will control the State. How they will eXer-
else their power cannot be known in advance,
but it will be well for the Union men to remember
their reign from 1861 to 1864, and TO take warning
from the past. This may, and probably will. in
demnify their party by taxation Of the State
for the millions of dollars destroyed by the rebels
during the war, and may attempt to make ut
least partial compensation to them for their loss
of 500, 900. 900 worth of slaves.
To avoid this state of strife and bitterness. we
believe "A separation best. We desire a peaceable
and harmonious community, We desire to part
in peace TO live in peace, with the power to direct
our own energies. We may see fit, and wish the
liberty in the event of another rebellion at any
future time sprnging out of the ashes of the past
one Of cingng to the Government OF our fathers
instead of being dragged into false and treason
able position by the action of others, and being
forced to suffer I'll the consequences resulting
thcrcfrom. Let us, then, separate, and leave each
free with homogeneous people, and with lib
eral law, to pursue the path which duty ana honor
The objection that we are not able to bear the
burden and expense of an independent state Is
SANDER on the patriotism and loyalty and public
spirit of our people. Do we, then, confess that
we are dependent on the people of the other di-
visions Of the State for the carrying on of the ma
chinery of Government? We have an area OF H.
900 square miles with population of 10000 per
sons. Our soil and climate are universally admir-
ed, having southern exposure, with Northern
elevation, and combining to some extent the adj
yantages of both. Our water power Is unlimited.
The Wautauga, the HOstOn, the NOlllchucky,
the French Broad the Pigeon, the little and the
big Tennessee. the Hiwassee, the Clnch, the EN-
DRY, and divers other streams, as they come leap
ing from the mountains, afford innumerable sites
for the existence Of mills. Our mineral resources
are incredible and almost fabulous, and are ample
TO build and sustain many Pittsburgs. All that Is
wanted TO make US spring forward on splendid
career of prosperity and wealth, + fhe spirit OF
enterprise and the magic touch OF Skill SCIENCE
and capital Then will theSo dormant natural
powers be trained to the service OF man, and yield
plentiful streams of wealth,
Look ot the State Of Massachusetts. Her soil
was poor and unyieuing; her climate cold and
ungenial. She ha' 6,669 square miles less terri
little sum of 2g0 900 while hers is l23l 600. We
have an avesage of little less than % persons to
the sqnarc mile, while she has l5I. Our soil Is
naturaIb better than hers; our climate Is better:
our productions much more varied: our mineral
resources infinitely better and, in a word, we
possess every material advantage over her, except
he single one of not being washed BY the waves
Of the ocean Industry, skill and enterprise, ap-
piled to manufacture, navigation, and the I'M
prOvemeut of poor and unkind soil. have made
her what she is and the same industry and enter
prise, applied in fostering and developing the
wonderful mineral, manufacturing and agricu-
tural resources of East tennessee, combined with
universal education, VIII make her leap forward
with the elastic vIgOr OF renewed youth. Already
she is attracting emigration and capital Men are
ready to come. and now only want to see whether
the state Is AGAIN to pass under the DOMINION on
those lately in arms against the Government. II
so, they will remain away. But give us new
State, and they will come from every quarter,
with industry, and capital, and skill, to and in
bringing forth from their hiding places our petrO-
leum, iron, zinc, copper, load. coal and marble,
and towns, cities, manufactures, roads, schools,
colleges and churches will everywhere dot the
land. ~
expenditure Of the peoples money, and ours with
1t, IN building railroads, tumpikes, roads and
public buildings, these enhancing the value of
their lands We have paid our part of the Sl22-
1866 to build her turnpkCS and roads, while we
have not received one cent for that purpose our
selves.
Too poor to bear the expenses Of special STATED
We are the richest people in the world All we
need is the energy to stretch forth our arms to re-
ccIve the riches Of the Creator. But 5 il quite |
certain that taxes will be increased by the for
nation Of "a new State? viii they not be limin- |
ished to a considerable extent? let il be borne in
mind that our slaves heretofore constituted frac
lagE Nksay, 81 id Il
property of the State. That source of taxation Is
gone. The loss falls the different divisions of
the State as follows: East Tennessee, $l055S l52;
Middle Tennessee, S5I,IOO $50; West Tennessee |
SE,F3.9i2 Thus, while We lose from that source
IN the ratio of 81. Middle Tennessee loses nearly
ST, and West Tennessee s.. While we lose, as a
visions lose in the aggregate, Sl07 800 9O2 or more
than SO 20 our one, 1t appears then that they
while we are relatively much richer.
Let us now look at some facts and figures
and approximate as nearly as we can, the income |
and expenses of new State. In 1860 the actual |
property of East Tennessee was valued ut $5i- |
i7S. $50. Multiply that by twenty five cents on
he thousand dollars, the present rate of tax for
.dd for poll taxes $S5 j33. The taxes received
rom the County, Circuit and Chanccry Courts
Jerks, in taxes ON lawsuits. on privileges Licences
IN land and town lots registered, etc will amount
IN an average to 5000 to each county. Knox
county pays this year alone in this way. about
$1,000, making total income of So 40. Under
alaricd officers of the Executive Department
With salaries amounting in the aggregate TO So
40. Sey cTal of these officers, by using economy
nay be hlled by one man, such as the Superiu- |
cndcnt of Weights and Measures State Libra |
ian. Commissioner of Roads and School Commits
Toner; aud for some oS them there will be no i'm |
Mediate use. such rs the Superindcut of the In |
ane Hospital There are Circuit and three Chan
cry Judge at salary. each. of s. 900 in all SIC
On. We would need three Supreme Judge 5000 |
he expense OfState prisoners to the pcnitentiary.
tc., would amount to $4,000. The Attorney |
eneral and Reporter, 81 800.
The debt of the State proper was in 1860
3 S9i. COG sc. Dividing it, our proportion would |
e one-tOurth, say 1913 653 Is. The interest on |
be sum. at per cent. would be about S5S 4Iq O6
he Legislature Of East Tennessee would pro- 1
ably consist of about IS members. Say they were
session three months, they ought TO be limited
Il pay 10 60 days, at 81 per day, with mileage
nd meeting once in two years: il would cost
bout $500, say for each year 500 500. Con-
ngent expenses, such as fuel. books stationery
rinting, etc, $4,000. rent Of capitol etc until ,
c are able to build, for each year, 81 600 making
aggregate of annual expenses Sl2O,6gS. If we
lbtract the expenses from the supposed income
SO 4g7 20 based the value of property in 1850
ld the present rate of State taxation there re-
aims a surplus of Sl5i'31S II. From this ought
be deducted about the sum of $4,000 to |
ycr the loss of the state property, which IS :
cludcd in tho above estimate leaving a net sur 1
us of 81. l82Sli, dcductInk for contingent eN- !
,uscS 81 .G}2. 81. IL leaves 100000. In other !
lrds our taxes will actually be diminished that ~
uch. 1t Is believed after the most careful cal 4
latiun and investigation, that the above 81