Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-05-23

manV American pdlIlotS IL tiiio co~y7 = Il.
able debate, the American party triumphed ~ .l5
broad, liberal Republican principles moor a'eu
into the Constitution. H.
Washington stands forth as tne nrst aou as .ue
inmitable Presidential representative o. tnis parry
After the Revolution, which placed MN at me NIL
itary head of the country anu 'ss.ea ms nusasyf
100 with Constitution adopted, he was eonsttu-
Ia ~ defamation the irst Chief Magistrate. His
hesnf;ful Inaugural simply and plainly enunciated
,hs true political dogmas, and his successfula admin
istration for eight years amply proved his firm ad
herence to the American party. In his Farewell
Address, too, when about retiring forever to prl-
yate life, we End him teiteratng, in the most So
emn and impressive manner, the principles which
contain the gist of the Constitution, and constitute
the sheet anchor of the present Union.
The next epoch in the history of the true Amer
lean party we fix at the elevation Of Thomas JET
ferson to the Presidency. The party had suffered
temporary eclipse in the election and admlnistEa-
ton of John Adams Success, however, proved ia
tai to the opposition and in the choice OF jefferson
the party was again re-established Inc Author OF
the Declaration took occasion, in his Inaugural to
enunciate in the concsest form the essential prln-
ciples of the American party, OF which, uil this
day he has been venerated as the great Apostle
and Defender
In the administrations of Madison, Monroe,
| Jackson. Van Buren,, Polk and Pierce, we recog-
nize the sway of the same principles, and the con-
| tinued growth of the Republic. True to the land
| marks of the Constitution and the examples of
Washington and Jefferson, their course IN the Pres
idential Chair has been distinguished by the same
political wisdom and prudence their great meas
ures equally beneficial.
1t is the party of territorial expansion. Starting
with the original thirteen colonies as nucleus it
| has continually enlarged the area Of the country,
! till now third of the Continent is embraced. In
| 1903, by the purchase of Louisiana, it extended
| American Institutions and government to British
| America By the annexation of Texas our borders
were carried from the Sabine to the Neuces, and
by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo to the Rio
| Grande, and including New Mexico and Califor-
MA At this time, by the wise counsels of this par
ty the United States are enabled to claim the ter
ritory from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from
| the Gulf of Mexico to British Amerca-presenting
the erandest Republic of ancient or modern times,
| whose destiny will eclipse all nations and wind up
the worlds history.
1t is the party of political aud of religious toer-
alton. The expressive dogma of Jefferson, equal
and exact justice to all men, Of whatever State or
persuasion, political or religious" forms the sub
stratum of its political faith It met and vanqush-
ed the enemies of this principle in the Convention
Of 1888, and afterwards secured its Incorporation
in the Constitution The Hartford Convention,
which again insisted on prescription Of all but those
to the " manor born, met with the same fate from
the American party. All similar attempts in later
times have aroused stern opposition from the same
quarter. At the present time, although ready to
co operate in measures to remedy any real evils
growing out of the laws relating to such liberation
this party occupies its nyariable attitude against
radical and sweeping prescription on account Of
birth or religious faith.
1t is the party of sympathy and suecor to the
oppressed of all nations and creeds With the
struggles of the Revolution fresh in their minds
and burning with desire for the true elevation OF
the entire race 1t manifests lively interest in hui
manity everywhere, and invites the prosecuted and
down trodden in every cline to our swine and fig
tree" rendering the choicest boon of the country.
1t despises the Chinese exclnsiveness which would
close the door upon the foreigu-born or Catholic
faith 1t remembers too well that our fathers fought
the battles of the Revolution against the doctrine
| Of taxation without representation" to inausu.
rate that miserable dogma at this enlightened pc
Rod.
1t is always the war party, adhering to the coun-
try in all difficulties of that character with every
nation. Itadopts the language ofStephen Decatur
nMy Country may she dlaUays be riqht--7ny Coun-
try, right or rorong." Sustaining Madison in 1872
he was enabled to carry the last war with England
through to successful ISSUE In the Mexican war,
no "aid and comfort given by this party to the
enemy-no praying for ''bloody hands and Hospital
bic graves" for American soldiers. 1t rallied to the
support of the President, and espousing the cause
of its country, placed means and men at bis dis
posal, whereby we obtained /" indemnity for the
past and security for the future"
1t is the State Rights party In every period OF
its history we perceive an unwavering attachment
to the Resolutions of179S With clear appreciation
of the powers of the Federal Government and the
| rights of the States sacredy guaranteed by the
Constitution, it has always manifested scrupulous
regard for the powers delegated or reserved to tie
States 1t fears GENERALIZATION the deadlies ene-
So Il
| full of such tendency 10 the General Government.
Whatever else has been omitted in any Of its plat
forms, whether laid down by State or National
Conventions the doctrine of State Rights has never
| been overlooked.
1t is the party of the Constitution. Viewing
that instrument the most perfect construct
ed, it would not consent to any change OF vital
| feature without the clearest and most controlling
necessity, patent to al. 1t would not depart from
strict construction or unite in material modifca-
| tons to suit the whims Of any man, however ia
Tented pure, or to secure any present advantage
on the score of expediency. 1t recognizes in sa-
cred regard for the Constitution the secret of our
past unprecedented growth in all the elements of
true greatness the secret Of our present command
| ing position and influence as nation, and the
greatest hopes of our perpetuty as free and indie
pendent people.
It is Ia political party, eschewing the connection
of purely moral and religious questions with poll
tics Never forgetting the memorable declaration
of the Saviour" Render unto Caesar the things
that belong to Caesar and unto God the things that
are Gods" this party would maintain the divorce
oc things political and things religious-thus avoid
ing confusion Of the separate and distinct spheres
of action of religion and politics Without embar-
RAISING either in IFS legitimate action this party
has ever contended for an eternal separation-thus
avoiding the ianaticism which wonld otherwise be
inseparabe, and at the same time leaving entire the
efficiency of religion in accomplishing moral and
politics IN ehecting political reforms. Church and
| State are thus maintained in their appropriate
spheres, exertng their separate influence to fulfill
the mission of society on this continent.
1t is the only party to which the patriot can look
at this crisis to stem the torrent of political fanati
| clsm which threatens to sweep away this Union
| All conservative men have discerned, and are &C.
knowledging the approach of that fearful storm
| which will surely burst upon he country next
winter. And their hearts, now quakng, woud fail
| within them, and every hope of the Republic,
! founded by so much blood and treasure and pre-
served by SO much care and wisdom would disap-
pear, but for the confidence in the true American
| party to which We have been abiding Reposing
with firm confidence in this ancient and heretofore
successful party, they will not yield up in despair
till the conflict is passed.
HON. BARCLAY MARTIN
1t has been reported that this gentleman is a