Year: 1861

the people of Tennessee, have been called upon.
as their Governor to furnish portion of these
troops. ! have answered that demand as in my
Judgment became the honor Of the State aud leave
the people to pass upon my action.


The Federal Union of the States, thus practically
dissolved, can never be restored or if ever thus
restored it must by the very act TO be Union
of free and Independent States, such fathers
established. 1t will become a consolidated, central
I lied government without liberty or equality, in
which some will reign and others serve-the few
tyrannize and the many suffer. 1t would be the
greatest folly to hope for the reconstruction of
peaceful Union upon terms of fraternity and equal
ity, at the end of an internecine war. There can
be no desirable Union without fraternity. And if
we could not have that before the unhoy crusade
which is now being waged against us, we cannot
have it after they shall have wantonly imbrued
their unholy hands in the innocent blood of our
people, from worther motive than a desire to
destroy our equality and subvert our liberties
| Therefore. respectfully recommend the perfect
ing of an Ordinance by the General Assembly, for
maly declaring the independence of the State of
Tennessee of the Federal Union. reuouncing its
thority, and re-assuming each and every function
belonging to a seperate sovereignty; and that said
ordinance, when it shall have been thus perfected
by the Legislature, SHALL at the earliest practicable
time, be submitted to vote of the people, to be
by them adopted or rejected.





clare their connection with the remaining States of
the Union dissolved it will be a matter of the
highest expediency,-l might almostsa Of unavoid-
able political necessty-that we shall at the same
time, or as soon thereafter may be, connect
selves with those with whom common interest a
common sympathy, and q common destiny identify
us, for veal or for woe That each of the Southern
States they throw off their connection with the
Federal Government should take an independent
position in the contest, without that concert OF
ton which alone be secured by political unity,
is proposition which surely one will assent to,
who anticipates the dangers Of the hour and the
necessity for perfect harmony in the work of our
general defence.


Such political Union with the people of the
Confederate States is rendered cssena by The fact
that we have made no provision for arming, organ
izng, provisioning and embodying our military
forces, while the Government of the Confederate
States foreseeing this invasion, has had an eve to
the necessities Of the emergency and stands pre-
pared generously TO lend its assistance in this
provoked and cruel struggle. If we accept that
assistance, we should do it in a spirit of mutual


trust and confidence, prepared to share its burdens
equally, while we avail ourselves of its advantages
A Government thus perfectly organized more
thoroughly command the resources and aggregate
the revenues of the country than Isolated States
4 lighting without unity, aud moving without a
common and responsible head. These resources
IL
ton to rally around such Government, in such an
emergency for selfpreservntion and defence, can
be disbursed with more efficiency, and with less
cost to the people than when fhe revenues necessa-
ry to support the war, scattered by divided
counses and not controlled by Il common bureau.
The same may be said with regard to military ope-
rations. Unity of movement to secure unity of
purpose in attack defence is absolutely necessary
to success. The people of the whole South, thus
united by a firm political compact, moving under
the direction of one Government and animated by
the sense of common pers and by unanimous
determination to maintain their rights, liberties and


institutions are invincibe, and must speedily con-
quer an honorable peace The war must nccessa-
riy be protacted brief in proportion to the
Union among themselves.


/, therefore, further recommend that YOU perfect
an ordinance, with view to our admission a
member Of the Southern Coniederacy, (Which, it is
evident must soon embrace the entire slavehoding
States of the South to be submitted in like man


ner and at the same time but separately, for adop-
tion or rejection by the people; that they may


have the opportunity to approve the former and re-
ject the latter, or adopt both, as in their wisdom
may seem most consistent with the future welfare
Of the State. However fully satisfied the Execu-
tive and Legislature may be, to the urgent ne


eessity for the speedy adoption Of both these prop
OsitonS, it is our duty to furnish the ampesl
means for fair and full expression of the popular
! will.


In the opening of n revolution, fraught with such
consequences, and the close of which can
oresee, it is a matter of the highest moment that


we determine, as speedily as possible future po


tical relations, delaying only long enough to reach
the will and voice of the people. Under existing
circumstances, | can see no propriety for encum-
hcring the people of the State with the election Of
: delegates, to do that which il is in your power tc
7 enable them to do directly for themselves The
most direct well the highest act Of sovereignty


according TO our theory, is that by which the peo
pie vote, not merely for men, but for measures
; submitted for their approval or rejection Since il


is only the voice of the people that is TO be heard


there is no reason why they may not as readily and
effectively express themselves upon an ordinance
q framed aud submitted to them by the Legislature
= as il submitted TO them by a Convention The
u Southern States, all Of whom now engaged in


resistance to the encroaChment of Abolition power
II will necessarily encounter embarrassments, arising
= from a want of unity of action, until such time a:
: they shall all be united under common govern


ment.


= The mode Of action suggested, in addition to the
advantage of its being the specdiest OF all others
Il will be attended with less expense TO the State
+ which is of far greater Importance now than at any
former period of history, owing TO the genera
embarrassment of the people, which must continue
l. at least during these troubles, and 10 the heavy ap
u preparations that you will have necessarily to make
= to detlay the expense of our detences.


IT, however il should be deemed advisable that
u convention, representing the sovereignty of the peo
a pie, should be called by the General Assembly, in
" preference to submitting an ordinance of independ


encc directly to them, though | deem the latter


measure more expedient under the circumstances,


am not prepared to say that harmony and unanlmi


ty will not thus be effected. The Senators anC


Representatives, coming, they do, directly from


their constituents, the best judges of this meas
|ure. | be repardpl other than "A question
: Of detail, ina'mucb as very large majority o
y the people regard themselves as being forever ab
. solved from all obedience to a Government that ha
= developed the coolest and most deliberate purpos
: to inaugurate civil and sauguinary war among
" them.


I. | deem II proper to remark in this connection
II that the Constitution of the Confederate States
while itreans all that is valuable Of the Consitu
e ton Of the former United States, is AN improve
rnnnl In rnnnN essential nnnla Mnnn Inni insIrm