The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-06-17

The approaching election in TENNESSEE is
one of great interest and importance; and its
result is looked for with intense solictude by
the Who's and the friends of the Union in all
quarters. Ever since the organization of the
Wing party in that State, TENNESSEE has
been uniformly WHIG in every warmly con
tested and important electon-and that, too,
under circumstances which have manifested the
highest degree of independence and intrepidity
among her politicians and statesmen. SO en-
tirely were her people devoted to Goeral
JACKSON, that in 1928 he received Al 900 votes
for the Presidency, where his competitor re-
ceived only 2.240. similar result was ex-
hibited in 1882, when the vote was much
smaller, and the Opposition vote was reduced
to ,436. Yet, notwithstanding the devotion
thus manifested towards General Jackson, and
what seemed his overwhelming popularity, in
1886 the tables were turned, and Mr. VAN
buren,, the nominee of the PRESIDENT and
the Democratic Convention, received but
26,l20 votes, against 1852 cast by the
Opposition. The people of TENNESSEE were
accustomed to think and act for themselves,
glance even to an appointee of their own
great PRESIDENT and popular favorite. The
fearless and generous statesmen who accom-
plished this result, who, in maintenance of their
own rights and the rights of the country, broke
the trammels of party, and rebelled against the
dctation OF its great leader-the PEYToNs,
WHITES, and BELLS, of the first fierce strug-
gle with Jacksonism, so impressed their views
and their spirit on the State, that in every
Presidential election from 1886 to lS4s Ten
NEssEE has given majority for the WING
candidate, reduced in 1874 to PA, and rising
in 1913 to $3.50. The Wines, therefore, in
all quarters, count with entire confidence on
Wing electors from Tennessee in Presden-
tial contest.
But II has too often happened that, by local
divisions and the operation of accidental cir
cumstances, the public sentiment of TENNEs
SEE has not been fairly represented in Con-
gress. What for instance could have been
more repugnant to all the feelings and opinions
Of her citizens than the course Of Mr.. TURNEY,
the DEMOCRATIC Senator whose term, fortu-
nately for his State and the country, expired
on the fourth of March last2 While Mr.. BELL
was giving full and patriotic expression to the
voice Of his State in the Senate of the United
States--with the enlightened views of states
man and the liberal sentiments of patriot and
gentleman--his colleague was moping over the
ashes and embers Of Disunion, stirring up local
jealousies and heart burnings, and disgracng
his constituents by the daily exhibition in the
Senate Of secession countenance, and NANTES
tatons Oft Nashville Convention spirit 1t is
on this account that the Wines and the
Union men everywhere look with SO much
anxiety to the August elections in Tennessee.
They have no doubt that General CAMPBELL
viii win the guberna torial race; but the cleo
ton Of Governor is only one of several i'm.
por,ant matters involved in the approaching
contest The next Legislature of Tennessee
must elect United States Senator TO succeed
Mr.. TURsEY, and may elect Senator TO sup
ply the vacancy that will occur in 1853, on the
expiration Of Mr.. BELLS term. Hence. if the
WHIGs Of Tennessee suffer their opponents 10
elect majority Of members Of the Legislature,
we shall have two DEMOCRATIC Senators
elected, Of the Governor TRoUsDsLE and anti
Compromise complexion, TO play into the hands
of CHASE and SUMNER.
There are still other considerations which
make this election Of importance. On its re-
suit depends the political character Of TEN
NEssEE for the next ten years. The LegisIa-
ture now TO be chosen will re- district the State,
so as to adapt the Congressional districts to the
under the new census. There
will devolve upon it also the duty Of establish
ing new districts for the election of Senators
and Representatives to the Legislature Of Ten
nessee. 80 as to apportion representation among |
the counties Of the State suitably to its present
population.
The main point Of immediate interest in |
the contest, however, and that which makes il |
the subject Of so much solictude throughout |