Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-09-01
NUMBER 247.
The Mass Meeting.

/ INC lhFBeSC uenOHbtfAtlOHS OF pOIllChl
we have witnessed since the opening OF the late
campaign. The attendance from adjacent counties
was considerable, and from this fact and the man
| ifestatons OF enthusiasm which characterized tho
entire proceedings, We are fully satisfied that the
watchfres are burning as brightly in the rural
districts of the State, as they are in Davidson
county. The multitude assembled at the court
house in the morning, and, at l o'clock the meet
ing called to order by General Zollicoffer in n
few brief and appropriate remarks, after which hc
proposed the following gentlemen rs officers, who
were unanimously chosen:
| President-JosEPm L. EWING.
| Vice Presidents--Colonel r. G. Foster, 81, CO..
A. w. johnson, DIR. f. n. Patterson, Dr. Boyd NJ.
McNairy, Dr. Timothy Walton, Hon: WIN. X.
Turner, Samuel P. Ament, Esq. G. Hooper, Esq.
Secretaries.-Tbomas T. Smiley, Esq Alb Wat.
kns, VIM. lily. Smith, II. X. Walker, Thomas II.
Glenn.
Upon the organization of the meeting the fol
lowing resolutions were offered by John A. Nc.
Even, Esq, which were unanimously adopted:
The American party in Davidson and the nd
joining counties have dcen.ed it not improper,
even upon the heel of their recent partial defeat
in the State, to reiterate to their brethren every
where their steadtast adherence to the principles
on which their organization is founded. In tho
progress and event of the late election, they sec
many causes of congratulaton, at the same tno
that they have some things to deplore. The re-
/ sult has seFNcu HOl llUTe tO expose lnc weakness
than to display the strength of the organic ,tion
in Tennessee. They were never less discouraged
in all the brief history of the party, and hava
everything to inspire them with confidence for the
future. The American party have elected a ma
jorty of the new delegation to Congress, and car
ried the State Legislature, showing that the poit-
cal power of the State is really in their hands.
Their candidate for Governor has been defeated
by but meagre majority, Notwithstanding the
boastfhl calculations of their opponents and the
| many unwarrantable means resorted to- to prevent
| his election. 1t were 5sary to enumerato
| the manifest and untoward circumstances which
contributed to this result Some of them were of
a local character, and, prominent among them,
may be mentioned the multiplicity Of subordinate
candidates in counties, where the American party
was indisputably in the ascendant. Another cause,
without stating more, was the want of perfect
combination OF the strength of the party and Of
realization that the success of the cause was in
any degree endangered by individual delinquency.
| We cannot too earnestly urge upon our friends
and compatriots throughout the State the propr-
ETY. of a more thorough organization in every
county and civil district.
We have every assurance that the result of such
effort will be glorious triumph in 1885, to achieve
which we this day strike the first blow and pledge
ourselves not to abandon the work or abate our
fire till victory be won We send to-day the note
Of our guns throughout Tennessee, and proclaim
w odr DrtIuTtH III tiihb, aittOuBH
is not taken, we have not raised the siege. The
Americans Of Tennessee must show to the Ameri-
of the Union that they are eager for the con-
flict, and that they understand the nature of the
struggle in which they are engaged. Linked TO
her by the tie Of contiguty and the still stronger
bond Of common nature and common patriot
ism, Tennessee will place herself side by side with
her sister, Kentucky, in the noble work Of redeem
ing the Union and preserving the constitution,
from which fitting companionship she has been
jostled for time by the seductive allurements of
false policy, or the violent interference OF selfish
partsans. She has already done much in this
work Of self-redemption. 1t is fact unprecedent-
| ed in politics, that new party, started in the
midst of old organizations and under circumstan-
ces, and by mechanism which some have deemed
unfortunate, has been able in its first general conflict
so well to contest the battle as least to be able
TO divide the trophies and the victory
1t is in this spirit that propose a concurrence
with u.s. on the part Of our brethren throughout
Tennessee in the following resolutions:
Resoived, That we most cordially approve AMI
affirm the principles Of the Platform adopted and
| published by the Grand Council Of the American
party in the city of Philadelphia, in June last
ResolUed That we are not discouraged by the
partial rcverses Of our cause in Tennessee, but
feel the most entire confidence in its success in
| the canvass Of 1856.
Resotved, That we cannot too strongly impress
the necessity for local organization upon our friends
throughout the State, believing that such prepa-
ration will insure triumph more certainly than all
other aids.
Resolved That the campaign has not been
closed and that we will stand by our coors till wo
embazon them with undsputed victory.
Resolved, That while all honor is due the gal
liant company Of editors, orators, and volunteers,
who sustained the brunt Of the battle we cannot
i f,rhaar pf nm fyratnfl arLuoUln1rr.
ment Of the distinguished and satisfactory service
Of our leader-M. p. Gentry, and to extend to
him the assurance that, though he may have failed
Of a victory, he has lost nothing Of the admiration
and esteem in which exalted patriotism and high
personal worth held by the people Of Ten
| ncssee.
Colonel Gentry was then introduced to the meet
ing, and was greeted with the most enthusiastic
demonstrations of applause. He commenced by
thanking the audience for the cordial and couric-
Gus manner in which they had received him, aad
expressed his unfeigned Acknowledgements for the
evidences Of the appreciation Of his course during
the canvass by his fellow-citizens lie did not IL
tend TO alude TO the causes which occasioned the
re 'ut ofthc late canvass, as his audience perhaps
might think he was apologiaing for his own de-
feat. lie would alude TO that canvass however,
so far as TO Say that he had INDUCED in no abuse
Of his political opponents, and no effort TO provoke
vtuperation could drive him into its use. lie hal
fought the battle upon the American question, and
had the satisfaction Of knowing that wherever the
issue had bcen thoroughly canvasscd, the Ameri.
can cause had trumphed, and therefore he firmly
believed that the principles and the party would
succeed in the campaign Of 1856.
| We are unable TO follow Col. Gentry through his
eloquent and noble speech, and let II suffice, that
il was the able and patriotic effort Of the states
man and polished gentleman.
At its conclusion, Col. Gentry introduced to tho
audience Hon. Mr.. Underwood member Of Co
grcss from Kentucky. The speech Of this gentle.
man was one Of the most stirring, and at the samo
time, logical and convincing TO which we have
listened since the agitation OF the American ques-
/ ton.
IL would be vain for MS to attempt even an out
line OF his remarks, for we should fall far short OF
doing him justice. We wish that VIC could lay
them before our readers entire. His elimination
Of the points upon which he touched was com
plete triumph. The cause Of Americanism has a
powerful advocate in Mr. Underwood.
| II ID IL Fac nhora alaTt nj Tho nay ~