Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-05-13
OUR CORREsPONDRNCE.
WoopRuRY, Nav 0. 1876

:. I.-- WOODBURY., May o. 1855.
MEssRs EDIroRs The Republican Banner Of
the 9th inst speaks of my account of the speaking
at Woodbury. as manifestation of bitterness" and
pouring out of "gall and bitterness" and con-
cludes that Gov. JOHNSON and his mos. knowing
friends are "badly scared"
/ do not think the letter in question justifes the
structures Of that paper. 1t would be unkind in
democrats TO indulge in expressions Of gall and
bitterness" towards the distinguished gentleman
who was the subject Of the remarks Such effn-
sions might more naturally be expected from tee
Republicans Banner, and that late party of which it
was the acknowledged organ in Tennessee
Col. GENTRY never branded the democratic party
with infamy; he never affixed the disgrace to oar
children when we were in the grave; he never
threatened to destroy US thoroughly, nor Knocked
US with the promise of has prayers. 1t was not
the humiliation of the democratic party he medi-
tated in retirement, and when he emerged and
rudely seized the trnncheon of command, it was
not our party usages, rights and dignity that he
invaded
On the contrary, in times past, he has approach
hatter little and to modify some Of his opinions.
| remember that about the time he and Governor
JONES were engaged in controversy, he was re-
markably afable to US, whilst on the other hand
he said some harder things in public speeches of
the Cover or than he ever said of the democratic
par y. Itwas not, therefore, in spirit of bitter
ness that criticised bis speech, or conectured his
motives. But when we see gentleman hereto
fore distinguished so highly, so prominent in
great party so long and brilliantly illustrated by
noble men of mighty names, disentegrating by such
ignobe instruments, the structure they had reared;
when he avows afinites for midnight schemes too
conscious of fraud for open day; when without one
practical sentiment of religion, developed to the
knowledge of the world, be aims, for the gratifi-
cation ofhis personal ambition, to kinde the fires of
religious intolerance and persecution, and to make
the churches of God his stepping stones to power;
then all men have the right to condemn and cour-
teract. The diminished character and security of
the country would be too great penalty to suffer
that Col GENTRY may, by his clandestIne ma
chinery, the know-nothngs shut down the trap
before all competitors, and reign supreme in the
political pandemonium he is striving to create.
But let me ask how does this alleged bitterness
of your correspondent concern the Republican Ban
ner? Col. GENTRY is not the candidate of that pa
per, nor of the party it represents His name is
not at the head of its columns: he repudiates the
party and its organ snaps his fingers under their
very noses, and demands that they quietly subsde
as private soldiers into the ranks of the political
banditti made up of anybody and nobody, for
whose proscriptive conspiracy no visible party is
responsible. The Republican Banner does not af-
feet to be the organ of such creed; but yields the
post to mere inexperienced adventures, who hate
all that is foreign but what is enjoyed abroad, and
allow noimmigration but of music and polkas
Alarmed at the clamors of few unseen Draw lers,
as the inexperienced woodsman multiplies the
howlings of a few into a myriad Of wolves stand
ing of for shame, and afraid to attack the Repub-
hcan Banner has deserted the helm, and yielded
without struggle the glorious and time-honored
name of his party to the political wreckers who in
fest the coast for spoil and plumber.
All this is based upon one assumption as to tie
real position of Col GENTRY in the present canvass
Bnt there may be another warranted by the facts,
which, if true, will widen the compass of disgrace,
that should ever attach to falsehood and shame
And perhaps it was the tendency of my letter 10
promote investigation, that scared" somebody else
at the idea of premature development. Col. GEN.
TRY seems to feel secure to the body of the whg
party, and makes no effort to conciIiate them The
Republican Banner is evidently for him, and it is
plainly discernable that there is an effort making
to unite the party upon him. It is not difficult to
conjecture that the know nothing organization is
the decoy draw off democrats whilst it is intended
to amaigamate the wing party with them, and I'M
dera new name wage battle for victory and the
spoIs Ii this be the game that is playing if this
be the cause Of the tenderness of tie Republican
Banner and the modest silence of the wing leaders,
it is time that the democracy be warned every
where. That those who have been deceived, may
break the bonds before their locks are shorn; and
that honest minded wings who haveloved and sus-
tanned their party under all reverses for what they
conceived to be truth, should be advised of the
treachery around them.
If this be not true if this treason to all that was
sacred in their struggles does not exist then let
the Republican Banner proclaim it. let it unfuTl its
ancient banner rent It's true, in rany fight, but
with its principles inscribed. Let it spurn the dark
cabas of obscene consprators and speak its oracles
as of yore. Let it sound its battle call for the
statesmen and orators of its party, alternately VIC
torious aud vanquished on many a hard.fought
field. Give them q chance to cast of the shame of
trucking in silence to the brood of Buntline and
tie leadership of Poole. Let t, Fem select chief
and advance their standard; az "a when the heady
fight is done, and the victory bst won the coun-
try will be saved and no hon Or lost.
Yours truly JEEMEs.
mA cfr4s~