Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1853-05-13
From the Nashville Banner
SKETCH 0FHON.JNO. O.BELLiSREMARKS
Before tie IFhig State Conceation

~A' ANAShN lI-LE; AGhlL ~, 1000.
Mr.. BELL commenced his remarks by sta
ting that he could not refuse to respond to the
hattering call which had been made upon him
and it gave him the more pleasure to do so, un
der the auspicious circumstances Of the occa
sion. He congratulated the Convention.and the
wings of the State on the harmony which haC
/ attended their proceedings, and the unanimity
/ with which they had nominated the gentleman
for the first Magistrate of the State, so eminent
/ lyworthy aud wellqualifed to lead the wings to
victory. lie regarded this as ominonS Of the
continlad Lrirsnlah- of the ,shis---cf Fennessee;
as pledge that the harmony which reigned IN
the choice OF the leader, would be found to pre-
vail in the selection Of all other candidates in
/ the several counties and districts in the State
The condition of the whig party every where re-
| quIred this; and the maintenance of the proud
position of the Banner Wing State of the I'm
ion, which had been fairly won 10y the wings ot
! Tennessee in the late election, demanded this.
Mr.. Be said, it might be expected { Gi
he wOHld attempt, on that occasiOA, to give
an outline of his views as to the policy andbe
course OF the whig party, proper TO pursued
IN the ensuing canvass, III Tennessee and more
especially in regard to the questions likely to be
discussed tlv the press and public speakers o
the respective and opposing parties. He was
aware that previous question might be inter
posed BY patriotic wings, as well as by their
democratic opponents. Seeing that the demo.
cratic party by triumphant, and even over
whelming majority, had succeeded in wrestling
the administration of the government from the
wings, and had deposited it in hands of their
own choice-Seeiny that the country wSs quiet
and prosperous, and that from any thing vet de-
veloped by the new administration, it could not
be perceived, that any great evil was likely to
result from the change of rulers might be
enquired, whence the necessity for continuing
the organization of the whg party? Whence
the necessity for this convention and the prompt
movements indicated all over the State III bring.
ing out separate whig candidates, for all
the places and stations to be filled under
State authority? This question might be press
ed still more strongly in reference to the deci-
ded minority into which the whig party of the
Union had been thrown, by combination of
causes and circumstances, in the late national
electon-a minority so small, as indicated by
the number OF States voting for the whig candl-
date in that election, that some might be led to
imagine that it could never more rally its scat
tered elements and regain its lost power. In
reply to such suggestions as those, Mr.. b. would
say to his whig countrymen present, and in ey-
cry part of the State, To bear in mind that there
must and will be two parties in every free coun-
try; that 1t is best for the country that it should
be so, whatever evil sometimes arose from the
cXce5ses Of party. A free country could never
be 50 much IN danger of mls-9overnment as
when II rower is Concentrated in the hands Of
a triumphant and overwhelming majority, con-
tident OF popular support, and reckless OF oppo-
siton; ard no human means could be devised
SO etfectual in securing a country from the evils
and calamities OF the mis- government threaten
ed by such majority, as Il bold, energetic and
determined spirit of opposition on the part of
the minority. Whatever had been the fair prom
iseS with which the new administration had as
sumed the reigns of authority, from the known
tendencies and past history of that party, had
the whigS any just confidence in its future
course? He would leave that question to be de-
cided by every whig for himself. AS to the queS-
ton whether the whig party of the Union could
survive the shock which had been given 1t In
the late election-and to the enquiry whether
it could ever be successfully reor Ianlzed, upon
such truly national and orthodox principles as
would ensure its future assendency, Mr. B. had
no hesitation in giving an affirmative answer.
There were principles and policy which con-
Stituted the chief difference, as well as the chief
strength of the whig party, both North and
ed to endure much longer, than any Of the Is
sues in regard to our foreign relations or to our
national and domestic policy, which now exist
or might hereafter arise between the two great
parties of the country-principles and a policy
closely identified with the permanent success CT
republican institutions, which will survive every
defeat which, like the Phoenix, will continue to
rise again, however crushing and exterminating
their overthrow may sometimes appear. These
principles shall endure as long as the constltu-
tion shall endure, and they will continue to be
embodied in and represented by great party,
under some denomination or other Whether
that party would continue to be called the whlg
party or nOt,was no cOnsequence;though he saw
no cause at this time for a change OF name
The personal elements, the members of the true
conservative whig party, like every thing else,
was necesSar,aliy liable to change. Let no true
whig then suppose that the whig party, consld-
cred in reference to its fundamental principles,
would ever become extinct, or that 1t would new
er again be able to rise to power.
Mr. B. said it would be equally unwise and
unjust, as well as wanting in patriotism to as
sail an administration before its policy is devel-
ored, or its course clearly understood. As yet.
we had but two faint lights by which to guide
our judgment as to the principles or the future
policy of the new administration. One of these
was the inaugura al of the President, and the 9th
er his practice in appointments to office. Gen.
Pierce had spoken at length of the principles
! by which he proposed to be guided IN the con
duct of our foreign relations. Mr.. Bell found
but little to except to in theviews the President
had expressed upon that branch OF his public du-
/ ties. He had laid down one rule for his guild
ance which all must approve. He had avowed
his determination, that while he would not fail
to assert the honor and the interest OF his coun-
try, as well as to protect the just rights of its
citizens against every foreign power which
] should endeaver to trample upon or invade their
security, on the other hand he would carefully
guard the national escutcheon against the stain
of any violation of the national faith. This
was Just and noble sentiment. Gen. Pierce
( had avowed also, in suitable terms his purpose
to cultivate relations of peace and amity with
all other nations But he had accompanied
those declarations with another, which was cal.
culated to perplex our Judgment as TOMS real
Intentions He appeared to be possessed by
the spirit of progress, and he Congratulated the
country upon the successful experiment hereto
fore made in the acquisition of new territories,
but at the same time he declares that he will be
restrained in his administration by no timid
forebodings of the evils of further expansion
This last declaration, considered in connection
with the general tenor of the inaugural, Mr., b
thought of rather questionable consistency, and
furnished grounds for an Interpretation not very