CHAPTER VII.

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.