Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-05-13
TF6r the Union and Ame-isan.]
TIE PAST AND THE PRESENT.

If the publication of the experiences of the wri-
ter, in bis transition from whiggery, (whither he
cannot tell) will be of any service to your readers,
you are welcome to them. They may find an echo
in the bosoms of many others, who owe less ale
glance to party than TO their own inner sense OF
the right and the true What have to say is more
in sorrow than in anger ! allow TO Others the free
exercise of their Judgment the entire control of
their own conduct If their way seems right unto
them, let them go in peace, without reProach or
censgre. / accord the freedom | claim. -
But acknowledge myself mortified and be-
wildered-uncertain just now, how, precisely, it be-
comes me TO act You can appreciate something
of that high estimation which young man
is apt to have OF the purity and patriotism Of his
own party-espeeialIy if he has grown up in the
midst of party exctements aud adopted the views
and feelings of those whom he reveres. Such has
been rny own case. My father was an old
line wing of the r0'y old line indeed, previous, |
believe to the memorable Fauxhall speech in 1885.
This | say, however, from mere rumor My own
earliest reculections of politics of the times Of
the HUGH l.. WHITE excitement. l remember the
old man well in his tour through the State. and
how looked upon him demigod and his de-
tractors all fiends. But the hardcder and log
cabin times are more distinct in my remembrance.
Then was old enough to carry flag, with some
boyish motto / firmly believed that the salvation
of the country depended on the election of "Old
TIP" Indeed 1 thought him the greatest wal
rior of the time3-the very CINcNSArUs of modern
l:..a,u ;lst l;ttla bo arch rnaoiciap
OF the age.
That too was vanity, hut pardonable ii boy. /
was more matured in the next Presidential
raupaign Old Hal had something in him at last.
Here was candidate worthy Of enthusiastic adj
miration. So thought l then-snd 30 L cou-
iinue to believe / went for him with much
foolish huzzaing, much parading about to con-
ventions dressed in plaid and cockade, and with
great consumption of baibecued pigs-and of all
that | am not ashamed. There continues to lin
ger around the memory Of the man, something
that ennobes even the tom-fooeries executed in his
service With some little reluctance, but finally
with an honest good viii, l accedtd to the nomina-
ton Of Gen. TAYLOR. I still looked with admiration
upon the great Western luminary, gradually de-
clinug to the horizon life, clothed with the glory
Of the setting sun, but l was content to give him
up. The great wing party, composing 50 many
wise and good men, had decided on the sacrifice
and with becoming humility I yielded up my
Judgment | could not avoid the impression that
something of the partys Old nobility OF character
had been lost, in the adoption of the principle of
expediency-I wished then that they had cared
less for the mere triumph of success-hsd ulair-
tanned their old lofty standing at the cost of de-
feat. Nevertheless, might be mistaken. No one
contended or believed Gen. TAYLOR to DC states
man, but he WAS great and good man, and had at
least Judgment enough to surround himself with
proper advisers. In FILLMORE my Old enthusiasm
revived Here was again one of the old sort |
watched his course with an ever growing admira-
ton. From feeling of distrust which perVaded
my breast when the good old Generalwas gathered
to his Fathers, and a northern man installed in
the Presidential chair, came to regard him with
a most devoted admiration. Even the democrats
concede 10 him the need due to his patriotic and
national conduct on the slavery question. TIE
wings should have been proud of him, well as
of WEBSTER They should have rallied around,
eQUOTSGu Ills COuuuCl INC IIOSI SIIlpIidllC
manner. They all feel so now, few !e!t so then.
and they had my hearty sympathy. One eminent
citizen of Tennessee then in Congress, dared to
proclaim aloud TO the party its duty, calling
tuem in eloquent tones which should have stirred
zap III their breasts something of their old chivalry,
10 rally around the President and sustain him by
reelection! Alas! the decadence of the party,
commencing with the nomination of TAYLOR was
too rapidly progressing. 1t was evident enough
that the ioaves and fishes had somehow found their
way INTO the grand old ideal Of whiggery-were
eating its nobility very fast away. Another sacri-
fee must be made to the demon of Expediencv in
the hope Of what triumph m ght continue 70 liz IN
un-powder glory. FILDoRE was cast osis, 49,,
retired with dignity to the walks of nriv.,o Tc,
The distinguished citizen of Tennessee +, VIII,
referred, retired in disgust to his smilpg ron,.-
and lowing herds, to pray for Rome"-aud -
nv obscurity, for the first time let fall NV o,,n,
and humbly said Amen. l had no heart to vote
and in the overwhelming defeat which came unon
the party, l felt a orrowful joy-hoping it might
s;lbe recalled by its chastsenent to its old digni
ty. 10 that hope came in again, and so far as
my influence extended gave it to the Eagle Orator
Where ain now? The poor old party, long