“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.