THE EAST TENNESSEE UNION CONVENTION AT KNOXVILLE. THE EAST
TENNESSEE UNION CONVENTION AT GREENEVILLE.
“You must not think
That we are made of stuff so flat and dull
That we can let our beard be shook with danger,
And think it pastime.”
HAMLET.
“True fortitude is seen in great exploits
That justice warrants and that wisdom guides;
All else is tow’ring, frenzy and distraction.”
ADDISON’S _Cato_.
To a thoughtful observer at that time, Tennessee’s condition was
novel--unlike that of any other State. For while its people had
not called for or ratified any Act declaring it no longer a member
of the Union, its Governor and Legislature had formed a military
league with the enemies of the Union, and in doing this appeared to
have done several wrongs. They had exercised a right of sovereignty
expressly denied to the several States by the Constitution of the
United States, to which the State was certainly subject while in
the Union, as it must be allowed to have then been, even upon the
admission that an Act of secession when ratified by the people would
be valid. And in forming an alliance between Tennessee and the
Southern Confederacy and levying troops from the citizens of the
State to promote the objects of the Confederacy, they had assumed
authority and power not delegated to them by the people, and had
also anticipated in effect the very action of the people upon the
question of secession, which they professed to admit depended on
the will of the people as it might be expressed on the following
eighth of June. For by placing the State in military league with the
Southern Confederacy and by levying Tennessee troops to carry out
the purposes of that league, they had not only put the State into
an attitude of _de facto_ hostility to the United States, but also
placed the voters in surroundings which would secure a majority of
them at the polls for secession; so that the popular will in the
matter was practically pushed as far into the back-ground, as if the
Governor and Legislature in passing an ordinance of secession, had
altogether ignored the existence of the people. The popular vote in
the ensuing June--considering all the appliances procured and brought
to bear upon it--would not be an election between alternatives, but
could only be decided in conformity with the already known will of
the Governor and Legislature. In a word, the people were made a mere
figure-head in the whole transaction.
Such were the views of many intelligent and patriotic East
Tennesseeans. They thought that a bold attempt had been made
to over-ride the free will and real mind of the people through
the usurpation of power and in defiance of State and National
constitutions; and by contrivance and force to array Tennessee in
line with the States armed against the United States. Should they
tamely submit to the usurpation without protest, while yet its
purpose was not fully accomplished? The revolutionary scheme that had
prevailed in other Commonwealths had now come by means of new devices
to darken their very doors with its baleful presence and premature
forces--ere long to be followed by many and dire ills. What should
be done? In time of trouble and danger it is wise for men to counsel
with one another. Let the people be invited to meet together by
newly-chosen representatives, well informed of the serious political
situation, who shall calmly deliberate and determine. This conclusion
was expressed by the publication of the following notice:
“EAST TENNESSEE CONVENTION.”
“The undersigned, a portion of the people of East Tennessee,
disapproving the hasty and inconsiderate action of our General
Assembly, and sincerely desirous to do in the midst of the
troubles which surround us what will be best for our country
and for all classes of our citizens, respectfully appoint a
convention to be held in Knoxville on Thursday, the thirtieth of
May, and we urge every county in East Tennessee to send delegates
to this convention, that the conservative element of our whole
section may be represented, and that wise, prudent and judicious
counsels may prevail, looking to peace and harmony among
ourselves.
“(Signed by), F. S. Heiskell, C. H. Baker, S. R. Rodgers, W.
Rodgers, M.D., John Baxter, C. F. Trigg, David Burnett, John
Williams, John J. Craig, W. H. Rogers, O. P. Temple, John
Tunnell, W. G. Brownlow and others.”
These were citizens whose names commended the appointment they made
to general attention and to the co-operation of all who sympathised
in its object: and at the time proposed, being Thursday, the
Convention assembled at Temperance Hall, Knoxville. The delegates
present numbered four hundred and sixty-nine, representing twenty-six
counties, which with two other counties represented by two resident
proxies, constituted nearly the whole of East Tennessee. As the
meeting was held in Knox County, and therefore was more easy of
access to its delegates, they were much more numerously appointed
and in attendance than were those from any other county. Still there
were three hundred and twenty-seven present from other counties.
Contiguity to the place of assembling, would of course affect
more or less the relative attendance from all parts of the region
included in the convention, but so too would the degrees of Union
sentiment existing in them. Accordingly, of counties immediately
adjacent to Knoxville and strongly devoted to the Union, there
were delegates from Anderson, Blount, Jefferson, Union, Roane and
Sevier, aggregating one hundred and fifty-eight; Roane sending the
largest number and Jefferson the smallest. Among delegates from
other counties lying in the great valley, there were twenty-eight
from Greene and twenty-four from McMinn: Hamilton, at the extreme
southwest, equalled McMinn in numbers, and Sullivan, at the
extreme northeast, had a sufficient Union element to send six
representatives. Distance lessened attendance from the mountain
counties: but Johnson sent thirteen delegates from the far east,
and Carter five; and although travel on horseback was difficult at
a time so troubled, ten were present from Campbell County on the
north, and six from Morgan on the west. In Scott County, east of
Morgan, the mountains pierce the clouds, the scenery is grand and
the slaves were only one in forty-five of the population. It was its
people in their high and peaceful homes who did not hear that South
Carolina had seceded until the event lost all its freshness as news:
and possibly tidings of the convention at Knoxville had not gone to
them with enough fleetness of wing to give timely information. Yet
they were alive and awake to the worth of “Liberty and Union,--one
and inseparable,--now and forever!” and the time would come to them
for action. The tidal wave of battle would ere long toss its foam
and spray upon the foundations of the everlasting hills among which
they dwelt; and they would do their part in saving the ship of state
from being wrecked in the storm. Rhea County and Sequatchie, a little
county embedded in the mountains north of Chattanooga, were the only
ones in East Tennessee unrepresented in the convention; but why, does
not appear.[20]
The deliberative body assembled on the 30th of May, was composed of
intelligent, patriotic citizens, who were deeply impressed with the
gravity of the political and civil condition and of the questions at
issue: and they were mindful to turn, in that hour of perplexity and
peril, to God, “the Governor among the nations,” and to supplicate
Him in faith for guidance and help. Prayer to Him was offered, upon
request, by a Christian minister, and then the meeting was organized.
The Hon. John Baxter was appointed President temporarily, and upon
nomination of a committee of his selection, permanent officers were
chosen by acclamation, as follows:
President, Hon. Thos. A. R. Nelson, of Washington County; Vice
President, Col. J. G. Spears, of Bledsoe; Assistant Vice Presidents,
R. D. Wheeler, of Campbell, J. C. Murphy, of Sevier, M. R. May,
M.D., of McMinn, John Williams, of Knox, and William Heiskell, of
Monroe. Secretary, John M. Fleming, of Knox; Assistant Secretaries,
A. L. Greene, of Roane, S. P. Doss, of Bledsoe, and J. M. Meek, of
Jefferson.
[Illustration: HON. JOHN BAXTER.]
Before taking his seat, the President elect addressed the convention
for above an hour, with more than his usual powers of argument
and oratory. As described at the time, “he forcibly reviewed
the history of the revolutionary movement that was convulsing
the country,--exposed with masterly ability the usurpations of
the Governor of Tennessee and the unconstitutional acts of the
Legislature at its recent extra session, and closed with an
earnest, eloquent appeal to the members of the convention to
discharge their responsible duties with calmness and firmness;--to
submit to no wanton tyranny, and to acquiesce in the will of the
people, if constitutionally and legally expressed.”
On motion, the President then appointed a general committee to
prepare and report business for the convention. It consisted as
follows:
Connelly F. Trigg, of Knox; Alexander E. Smith, of Johnson; J. T. P.
Carter, of Carter; S. T. Logan, of Washington; James P. McDowell,
of Greene; William Mullenix, of Sullivan; Wm. C. Kyle, of Hawkins;
William McFarland, of Jefferson; Samuel Pickens, of Sevier; Rev. W.
T. Dowell, of Blount; Daniel Heiskell, of Monroe; John W. Wester, of
Roane; Daniel C. Trewhitt, of Hamilton; R. M. Edwards, of Bradley;
B. F. Staples, of Morgan; David K. Young, of Anderson; David Hart,
of Campbell; George W. Bridges, of McMinn; T. J. Matthews, of Meigs;
A. C. Yates, of Cumberland; J. M. McCleary, of Polk; S. P. Doss, of
Bledsoe; E. E. Jones, of Claiborne; Isaac Bayless, of Union; Harmon
G. Lea, of Grainger, and P. H. Easterly of Cocke. Marion County was
represented on the committee by Wm. G. Brownlow, proxy; and he,
with Wm. C. Kyle, as proxies, represented Hancock County of the
distinctive mountain region.
While this committee was absent for deliberation, Gen. Thomas D.
Arnold, of Greene County, a veteran in politics as well as the law,
was introduced to the convention. He spoke at considerable length
in opposition to “the schemes of the Governor and Legislature of
Tennessee to plunge the people against their own will into a ruinous
and unwarranted revolution.” His speech was “bold, pointed, earnest
and eloquent.”
On the morning of the second day of the convention, the general
committee submitted their report, which after discussion by various
members and amendment, was unanimously adopted. It was as follows:
“In the enumeration of rights of citizens which have been declared
under the solemn sanction of the people of Tennessee, there are none
which should be more warmly cherished or more highly estimated than
that which declares that ‘the citizens have a right in a peaceable
manner to assemble together for their common good.’ And at no time
since the organization of our Government has there been an occasion
which called so loudly for the exercise of that inestimable right, as
that upon which we are now assembled.
“Our country is at this moment in a most deplorable condition. The
Constitution of the United States has been openly contemned and set
at defiance, while that of our own State has shared no better fate
and by the sworn representatives of the people has been utterly
disregarded.
“Constitutions, which in other days were wont to control, and give
direction to our public councils and to those in authority by the
fiat of the people, have been wholly supplanted; and fanaticism,
passion and prejudice have assumed an arbitrary sway. Law and Order
seem to have yielded their beneficent offices for the safety of
the country and the welfare of the people: and in their stead,
Revolution, despite its attendant horrors, has raised its hideous
head. The condition of the country is most perilous,--the present
crisis most fearful.
“In this calamitous state of affairs,--when the liberties of the
people are so imperilled and their most valued rights endangered,
it behooves them in their primary meeting and in all their other
accustomed modes, to assemble, consult calmly as to their safety, and
with firmness to give expression to their opinions and convictions of
right.
“We, therefore, the delegates here assembled, representing and
reflecting, as we verily believe, the opinions and wishes of a very
large majority of the people of East Tennessee, do resolve and
declare:
“That the evils which now afflict our beloved country, in our
opinion, are the legitimate offspring of the ruinous and heretical
doctrine of secession; and that the people of East Tennessee have
ever been and we believe still are opposed to it by a very large
majority.
“That while the country is now upon the very threshold of a most
ruinous and desolating civil war, it may with truth be said, and we
protest before God, that the people so far as we can see, have done
nothing to produce it.
“That the people of Tennessee, when the question was submitted to
them in February last, decided by an overwhelming majority that the
relations of the State towards 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 manner the idea that they had been
oppressed by the General Government in any of its Acts,--legislative,
executive or judicial.
“That in view of so decided an expression of the will of the people,
in whom ‘all power is inherent and 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 contemplated with peculiar emotions
the pertinacity with which those in authority have labored to
over-ride the judgment of the people and to bring about the very
result which the people themselves had so overwhelmingly condemned.
“That the Legislative Assembly is but the creature of the
Constitution of the State, and has no power to pass any law or to
perform any act of sovereignty, except such as may be authorized
by that instrument: and believing as we do, that in their recent
legislation the General Assembly have disregarded the rights of
the people and transcended their own legitimate powers; we feel
constrained,--and we invoke the people throughout the State as they
value their liberties,--to visit that hasty, inconsiderate and
unconstitutional legislation with a decided rebuke, by voting on the
eighth day of next month against both the Act of Secession and that
of Union with the ‘Confederate States.’
“That the Legislature of the State, without having first obtained the
consent of the people, had no authority to enter into a ‘Military
League’ with the ‘Confederate States’ against the General Government,
and by so doing to put the State of Tennessee in hostile array
against the Government of which it then was and still is a member.
Such legislation in advance of the expressed will of the people to
change their governmental relations, was an act of usurpation, and
should be visited with the severest condemnation of the people.
“That the forming of such Military League, and thus practically
assuming the attitude of an enemy towards the General
Government,--this too in the absence of any hostile demonstration
against this State,--has afforded the pretext of raising, arming and
equipping a large military force, the expense of which is enormous
and will have to be paid by the people. And to do this, the taxes,
already onerous enough, will necessarily have to be very greatly
increased, and probably to an extent beyond the ability of the people
to pay.
“That the General Assembly, by passing a Law authorizing
the volunteers to vote wherever they may be on the day of
election,--whether in or out of the State;--in offering to the
‘Confederate States’ the Capitol of Tennessee, together with other
acts, have exercised powers and stretched their authority to an
extent not within their constitutional limits and not justified by
the usages of the country.
“That Government ‘being instituted for the common benefit, the
doctrine of non-resistance to arbitrary power and oppression is
absurd, slavish and destructive of the good and happiness of mankind.’
“That the position which the people of our sister State of Kentucky
have assumed in this momentous crisis, commands our highest
admiration:--their interests are our interests:--their policy is the
true policy, as we believe, of Tennessee and all the border States.
And in the spirit of freemen, with an anxious desire to avoid the
waste of the blood and treasure of our State, we appeal to the people
of Tennessee, while it is yet in their power, to come up in the
majesty of their strength and restore Tennessee to her true position.”
The declaration concluded:--“We shall await with the utmost anxiety
the decision of the people of Tennessee on the eighth day of next
month, and sincerely trust that wiser counsels will pervade the great
fountain of freedom,--the People,--than seem to have actuated their
constituted agents.”
Hon. Andrew Johnson, who had begun an address to the convention
before the committee made their report, afterwards proceeded with it.
According to the official record of the convention, “he spoke three
hours and commanded earnest attention throughout his entire speech,”
which “was masterly in argument” and carried “conviction to every
honest mind that heard it.” During the two days’ session, there
was much friendly debate upon the report, &c. The set addresses of
Messrs. Nelson, Arnold and Johnson were the conspicuous oratorical
features of the occasion and made strong impressions; but whatever
others said touching the subjects that had brought the delegates
together, was listened to with the ready minds of men who felt
profoundly.
It should be remembered that these things were spoken and done, not
in a corner, but in the broad light and open air, and under the
intimidating influence of hostile soldiers close at hand. They rode
along the highway in sight of the convention and shouted at it their
defiance and scoffs; but without otherwise molesting it.
THE CONVENTION IN GREENEVILLE
Was held nine days after the election, which was declared to be
in favor of secession. It met on the 17th of June, according to
adjournment from Knoxville on the 31st of May. The delegates present
numbered two hundred and ninety-two, from twenty-six counties: four
other counties being represented by proxies. The change of place
greatly diminished the attendance from some counties and increased
it from others.[21] The general committee appointed at Knoxville
was continued with some changes, chiefly to supply absences; its
new members being W. B. Carter, of Carter; Jas. W. Deaderick,
of Washington; R. L. Stanford, of Sullivan; John Netherland, of
Hawkins; Jas. P. Swann, of Jefferson; Charles F. Barton, of
Hancock; W. B. Staley, of Roane; J. Stonecipher, of Morgan; L. C.
Houk, of Anderson; J. A. Cooper, of Campbell; R. K. Byrd, proxy for
Cumberland; Wm. M. Biggs, of Polk; J. G. Spears, of Bledsoe; S. C.
Honeycutt, proxy for Scott; and E. S. Langley, for Fentress.
On the second day the committee recommended to the convention, a
Declaration of Grievances with Resolutions, which were discussed
and finally adopted. In these were set forth at greater length
their sentiments and the reasons for them, than were in the similar
document at Knoxville.
The Declaration affirmed that so far as the convention could learn,
the election held in Tennessee on the eighth of June “was free
with but few exceptions, in no part of the State other than East
Tennessee. In the larger parts of Middle and West Tennessee, no
speeches or discussions in favor of the Union were permitted. Union
papers were not allowed to circulate. Measures were taken in some
parts of West Tennessee, in defiance of the Constitution and laws
which allow folded tickets, to have the ballots numbered in such
manner as to mark and expose the Union votes.... Disunionists in
many places had charge of the polls, and Union men when voting were
denounced as Lincolnites and Abolitionists. The unanimity of the
votes in many large counties, where but a few weeks ago the Union
sentiment was so strong, proves beyond doubt that Union men were
overawed by the tyranny of the military power and the still greater
tyranny of a corrupt and subsidized press.... For these and other
causes we do not regard the result of the election as expressive of
the will of a majority of the freemen of Tennessee. Had the election
been conducted as it was in East Tennessee, we would entertain a
different opinion.”
The convention, in its “Declaration of Grievances,” testified with
emphasis to its love for the Union, whose virtues and benefits it
extolled; and its hate of secession, whose “treacheries, falsehoods,
violences and evil results,” it arraigned in detail and condemned.
Yet manifestly, it was averse to angry strife with fellow-citizens
of the State who differed from it in opinion, and it was inclined
to cultivate forbearance and peace with them. At first it had even
contemplated standing aloof from any conflict with arms that might
take place without and beyond the State. But it complained that its
political opponents had shown a self-willed, intolerant and severe
temper towards Union men. The Declaration said, in speaking of
secession:
“Its bigoted, overbearing and intolerant spirit has already subjected
the people of East Tennessee to many petty grievances.”--They “have
been insulted; our flags have been fired at and torn down; our houses
have been rudely entered; our families treated with insult; our
peaceable meetings interrupted; our women and children shot at by a
merciless soldiery; our towns pillaged; our citizens robbed and some
of them assassinated or murdered.”
“No attempt has been spared to deter the Union men of East Tennessee
from the expression of their free thoughts. The penalties of treason
have been threatened against them, and murder and assassination have
been openly encouraged by leading secession journals. As secession
has been thus overbearing and intolerant while in the minority in
East Tennessee, nothing better can be expected of the pretended
majority, than wild, unconstitutional and oppressive legislation; an
utter contempt and disregard of Law;--a determination to force every
Union man in the State to swear to the support of a Constitution he
abhors, to yield his money and property to aid a cause he detests,
and to become an object of scorn and derision, as well as a victim of
intolerable and relentless oppression.”
“In view of these considerations and of the fact that the people
of East Tennessee have declared their fidelity to the Union by a
majority of about twenty thousand votes,” the convention appointed
three of its members to prepare and present a memorial to the State
Legislature, asking its consent to the formation of a new State to be
composed of East Tennessee and such counties in Middle Tennessee as
desired to co-operate to that end. Other resolutions were adopted,
which provided for a convention of delegates, duly elected at the
polls by the constituency of the new State, to be held at Kingston.
Unanimity prevailed, except that two of the Hawkins county delegates
protested against the action of the convention.
It was in session four days, during which time the “Louisiana
Tigers” of the Confederate army halted at Greeneville on their way to
Richmond. Their commander embraced the occasion to make a speech, and
his soldiers expressed their ill-will to the convention by derisions
and small indignities, but there was no blood shed. Unterrified
and unmoved to acts of resentment, the delegates persevered in
their work, fully persuaded of the honesty of their purpose and the
righteousness of their cause. Because they felt the need of superior
counsel and help, and trusted in Him who only is wise and powerful
to bestow these, the daily proceedings of the convention were opened
with prayer by various Christian ministers.
Enthusiastic delegates were in favor of forming at once a Provisional
Government and organizing an army, with John Baxter for its General.
But he, assisted by James W. Deaderick, A. H. Maxwell and others,
advocated less hasty action, and moderate counsels prevailed. He
advised that instead of hopeless war on the spot, all who chose
should join the United States army in Kentucky. Spears, Byrd, Cooper,
Houk, Clift and others did so speedily.
If the request to the Legislature for a new State should not be
granted, it was expected by some delegates that an independent
government would still be formed at the Kingston convention, but the
adverse military occupation of the region, and the progress of events
prevented further action.