The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1866-05-09
East Tennessee --- Convention o
New State Men.
K SnXviLl.E. NlnH 3.

kSoxriLLE, May 3.
The Convention chilled to consider the pro-
priciy Of organizing u separate State Govern.
ment for East Tennessee, met to.dny.
Judge s. Il. Rogers was chosen President,
who. upon taking the chair. thanked the
Convention for the honor conferred, and hoped
the mclubcrs would act deliberately aud with
caution, as this Convention was but M nd.
iourned meeting Of the Convention that met
in Greenville during tho dark hours Of the
rebellion, and We propose but 10 continue the
movement. Thereupon, some gentlemen who
oppose this movement have been pleased to
,tylr it secession movement. Why, gentlemen
of the Convention, We only propose 10 carry
out tie course presented by the Constitution
OF the United States rs the method whereby
70 secure the end NO desire. If w arc 10
seccle, VIC will sccede from rebel people
to join the great Union people Of the + FEDERAL
Government; No will only be Joining the
greu, and COOL Government for which We
fought so bruvely. But this is no secession
movement; il is II convention regularly called
to pursue legitimate method 10 aecomplisha
desirable end. The people Of East Tennessee
have long been in favor Of a separate State
government. We hive every induccmeut 10
form separate State, and We can make this
new State OF East Tennessee one Of the riches,
in the Union.
A committee on resolutions md business
made report, showing the advantages and
ability of East Tennessee as a separate State.
Colonel Nelson followed in very able and
eloquent address. Ii wss the speech OF the
convention, and like oil his efforts, wns
cloQucn, and able. lie showed that this WAS
not u new nor n Unauthorized movement, and
that it did not SAVIOR Of accession. lie
said If Enat Tennessee was to be admitted A.
n separate State, he would never consent that
sho should he admitted on any degrading
terms. Tho report OF the Committee, snid the
Colonel, docs not assume to give nccuratc
statistics, but approximate to II, aud from IL
you can see that ysur new Government Gnu
he administered without burdensone taxes.
Tho wealth Of East Tennessee Is an iron vault
md history proves that iron 10 more sub
stautnl basis for the wealth Of . great nation
than gold. England d an iron nation. Spain
had gold foundation, and while England
lives strong and great, Spain belongs to the
past. We have the eiementsof the substa tIal
wealth Of England within our borders, and,
With proper Legislation and protection, We can
XIV ooSH 'sH PNtaa w WI
State as will speedily. make u one OF the
leading Of the sirterhood.
He thought We would one day have
National armory In Tennessee, and II there
had been one here before tho war We would
have saved tho government an immense sum
OF money. S.>,,., ..'...
Colonel Nelson concluded BY saying that
he would coll the new State East Tennessee;
and, rs In days Of DID, it was % honor 10 BE-
called Roman, 20 10 the future ws should all
be. proud to say We we're citizens Of the State
Of East Tennessee. ,a t-'r
The Convention Vas large and very unsni.
nous. The names Of $40 .dslegAtss were
handed u the Secretary, and bali OF this
Humbsr answered To- tie call o. The roll.
Many people not delegates xsrs present
1.-THE Prtsldsn..o! the Convention VA 10.
s.rueted 10 appoint committee Of thres 10