February 1, 1861; The Charleston Mercury
NASHVILLE, January 28, 1861.
The Legislature has called a Convention. The election takes place on the 9th of February, and they meet on the 25th of that month. There is strong sympathy here with all parties, for the seceding States, and everybody declares that any effort to force any State into submission, will be met with armed resistance. Whether this State will go out before the 4th of March, is doubtful. JOHN BELL is doing all in his power to prevent it. He made a speech in the Capitol last week, in which he announced that the appointment of SEWARD was a favorable indication for the South. He was for submission, and I regret that this cold blooded and unnatural desertion of the cause of an outraged people, meets with support from his followers. The battle here will be fierce. GOV. FOOTE is out as a candidate for the Convention upon Southern grounds, and he will make the fur fly. He gave BELL a most unmerciful skinning the other night. Our friends are very hopeful of carrying a decided majority of the Convention. This State could not live in peace or safety except with her Southern neighbors. Every consideration of prudence shows the line of policy she should adopt….
COCKADE.