Year: 1861




TS "a, E9for Of The LousriH, Journai:


DEAR Sin: In sending you account Of the pro-
eeediugs of the East-Iennessee Convention, beg
leave TO add that an very well persuaded that If, on
the sth of June the people of East Tennessee should
not have fair tav they will be slow TO sul init 10
what they consider "a trampling upon their liberty.
The friends of secession would DO well perhaps to be
somewhat more concihatory in their toward
those who concientously adhere to the Union.


The Convention was presided over by the Hon. T.
A. K Nelson, and was addfeise with great effect by
Senator johnson. The resolutions adopted, which
were preceded by admirably written preamble,


That the evils which now a1lict our beloved coun-
try, In our opinion the legitimate offspring Of the
rinrus and heretica doctrine OF SecessoR-that the
people OF East Tennessee nave ever been and we be-
eye sill are opposed to by very large majority.


2 That while the country Is now upon the very
threshold Of most ruinous and de6ohting civil war,
il nav with truth be ead, and we protest before God,
that the people lso lar az we can see na'e uohe bot-
lng TO produce It.


8 Thai tie leople Of Tennessee, when the question
was tilted TO them in February last decided by an
overwhelming majority, that the relations OF the State
toward the Federal Government should not be changed


thereby expressing their preference for the Union and
Constitution under which they had lived prosperously
and happily and ignoring, in the most emphatic man
ner the idea that they had been oppressed by the Gen.
era Government in any Of Its acts-legslatve, execu-
tive OF judicial


a. That in view of % decided an expression OF the
will Of the people in whom all power ie inherent,
aud on whose authority all free Governments are
founded" and in the honest conviction that nothing
has transpired since that time which should change
that deliberate judgment Of the people, we have con-
templaed with peculiar emotions the peTtinacy with
which those 10 authority have labored TO override the
judgment of the people, and to bring about the very
result which the people themselves had so oyerwheln-
ingy condemned.


8. That the Legislative Assembly is but the crea-
ture of the Constitution of the State and has power
TO PASS any law to exercise any act OF sovereignty
except such may be authorized by that nstruInen nt
and believing as we DO that in their recent legislation
the General Assembly have dsregarded the rights OF
the people, and transcended their legitimate powers,
feel constrained, and we invoke the people through
ont the State they value their liberties to visit that
hasty inconsderae and unconstitutional legislation
with decided rebuke, by voting on the eighth day Of
next month"; against both the act OF Secession, and
OF unon with the " Confederate States"
g. That the Legislature OF the State, without having
first obtained the consent OF the people, had author
ity 10 enter into Military League with the Con-
ederate States" against the General Government, and
by doing TO put the State of Tennessee IN hostile
array against the Government OF which 1t then was
and still is member. Such legislation in advance Of
the expressed will Of the people TO change their Gov
erumental relations was an act OF usnTlati0n, and
should be visited with the severest condemnation OF
the people


T. That the forming of such Military League"
and thus practically assuming the attitude OF enemy
toward the General Government this, too IN the alb
sence Of any hostile demonstration against THIS state
has afforded the pretext Tor raising arming, aud equip
ping large military force the expense OF which must
be enormous and will have TO be paid by the people
And do this, the taxes already onerous enough will
necessarily have TO be very greatly increased, and
probably TO extent beyond the ability OF the people
| to pay.


s. That the General Assembly by passing law autho-
Iizng the volunteers 10 vote whereyerthey may be on
the day OF election whether in out Of the State
and in Offering TO tho " Confederate States the Ca
pitol of Tennessee, together with other aets-h have
exercised powers and stretched their authority to an
| justified by the usages Of the country.
| 3. "That Government being instituted for the
common benefit the doctrine Of non-resistance against
arbitrary power and oppression is absurd slaysh and
destructive of the good and happiness OF mankind"
10. That the position which the people of our sSte
State of Kentucky have assumed in this momeAtou
crisis commands our highest admiration. Their in
terests nerests-their policy is the tr policy
believe, Of Tennessee and all the border States
And in the spirit of feemen with anxious desire
avoid the waste Of the blood apd tbe Treasure of ou
State, we appeal TO tho paorlsof, fentsssee while