Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-10-02
From the N. o. Delta, Sept 2Srd.
MIR. Breckenridge Showing His
Hand. -
The opinion of tho spokesman.

action of the Louisiana delegation on the question
was so mysterious that al Gdipus could scarcely
solve the riddle The first ballot proved conclu
sively that the representative OF Mississippi was
preferred by three tourths of the assembly; that his
opinions had vitality and strength with the majority
of the delegates and that it the desire of that
majority to make the real issue of the canvass dis
tinct and unmistakable by selecting him as one Of
the standard bearers of the party
The hocus-pocus Of ''expcdiency" commenced, a
game of s'blind mans 0ufff was played, and the
Democracy, warned off from the true Southern
candidates, CROPPED its way into the Kentucky cor-
ner where Mr. Breckenridge was seated, and clap
ping its brawny hand on his shoulder declared him
to be its choice. Under the circumstances with q
sectional Northern party in the field, it appears to
casual observer that the selection scarcely
judicious as far as the vote OF the South was con-
ce-ned, and that the delegates were the victims of
caucus rather than the intelligent representatives
| of a party. We presume they should be pardOned
! because they knew not what they did, but when we
remember that Mr.. Buchanan is Northern man
with slightly equivoca notions on Squatter Sove-
reiguty and other questions Of al-absorbiog inter-
est to the South, and that Kentucky is highly
suspicious State, with press and pulpit inclining
10 Freersoi, with no statesmen who are not COM
promisers, and few editors who not devoted to
Sam with snesking affection for Sambo-it be-
comes matter Of susprise, naturally enough. that
a party protesting affection for our institutions
should 90 to such State aud pounce upon such
candidate to hold the second position its Presi
dentialt icket The choice of Mr.. Breckenridge was
a blunder in politics, and blunder in politics, as
Carnot and Napoleon believed, iswOrse than a
crime.
Up to this the independent Southern press has
been exceedingly lenient towards the Kentuckian
candidate partly, because he had the wisdom not
| oh IN tha and tlv
because timid hope was entertained that he might
assume manly Southern attitude before the cans
vass was brought to a close. Besides, he
Young man; at least the old fogies described him
such; and il unpleasant TO assal an individual
who has ONLY turned his fortieth or forty fourth
year! Curious notions they have of youth in Ken
tucky-notiOns which must have descended din ect-
ly from Methuselah Breckenridge has only got
into his political pantaoons and shoulder straps,
aud now that he is done with slo5bering-bibs, he
may grow up a very promising boy, indeed. But
whether his youth or his silence was his protection,
the fact that he has been treated with extraordin
ary lenity by the Southern press is undeniable We
fear, however, he can be spared no longer He has
not sufficiently respected the ogI virilis which the
Cincinnati Convention required him to assume, and
his time is come to be examined on the great issues
of the day, closely and critically Mr. Buch-
auan himself. We nave heard so much of his mer'
ed so much bad rhetoric in his praise that we CAM
not avoid walking up to him, his dignity to the
contrary notwithstanding, and asking him plainly
whether be is with US or against us-a genuine
Southern man, in heart and soul, poor out
come, in human shape, from that breeding-csge
where Expediencv is accustomed to embrace the
eager charms of Federal Office.
Mr.. Breckenridge has been indulging in some
flights OF oratory recently, and we regret to cay
that his wings have been clumsily fastened on as
those of Icarus. Would that mine enemy would
max a book, exclaimed very shrewd observer OF
men and things; he should have added, however, or
make public speech. Mr.. Breckenridge is no
enemy of ours, but if he were, he could not graft
fy the revenge Of his foes by any other means so
fully and comprehensively as by delivering such
orations as are credited him by the reporters Of
the late Democratic meetings in Pittsburg aud Tip
pecanoe. a
We have not a a report CT the Pittsburg speech
before US at present. for rarely keep the oratori
cal efforts OF very young men in our drawers, bat
an extract from the Tippecanoe Grafton baa Just
met our eyes, to which we request the earnest at.
ention Of every politician who understands the real
question awaiting partial solution in November
next. In Pittsburg, we recoect, Mr. Brock nriJge
endeavorcd to Save the Union," feat which he
proceeded to achieve by complete desertion of the
South, aud by the usual clap-traps which have
wearied our people ever since California obtained
admission into the Union. In this course he vas
anticipated by Senator Foote, who is now hanging
TO- the skirts OF "Saao in California; by old Sam
Jscinto, who is below the contempt OF ward poll.
tician; by Albert Pike and other cxtiugushed lum.
iuaries OF the Know-Nothing order; and so when
he recommended this old game he resembled the
poor circus rider, whom Dickens describes, snd
"missed his tip" But we have 10 particular OBJ
lection to bis saving the Union; no more than we
have to mans whistling as be goes for want Of
thought"
The business has become legitimate and every
political stock actor tries his skill it, though The
supernumeraries and call boys appear TO regard it
as their peculiar property to some extent. Saving
the Union is innocent though profitable an
employment saving bacon; but while we objrct
10 Mr.. Breckenridge's employing his time and ener.
gy in such an avocaton, We must enter a serious
protest against his attempting to destroy the South
for the purpose Of saving the Union or Of saving
| his own Kentucky bacon. Iu other words We pro
test against the sentiments (hang that word y of his
Tippeeanoe speech and demand an explanation Of
them from him or his fuglemen in Louisiana This
is no time for trfug; best interests are at stake
our liberties, as 4 white Caucasian people, are in
danger; the institution Of the Family, as We under
stand it, is mperilled by the progress OF Northern
| ideas; driven to position OF sell defense,
where we must either maintain our rights or march
sub Ttsrcd in presence OF our sneerng emiss and
now in this hour OF trial aud difficulty We assert
that Whosoever is not with us is decidedly against
US And further we say, boldly and uBhesitaii y.
Mr.. Breckenridge is not with u; he is against u;
he is the worst kind of foe pretended friend and
We subjoin the proof of what We say. We subjci
IL with reluctance, il is true; bad hoped in spite
OF Mr.. RuchAnAns dangerous views on Squstler
Sovereignty, to avoid any positive opposition 70
the Democratic ticket but prize the interests Of
the South than those OF any set Of politicians
| good, bad or indifferent, and when Mr.. BTeck eD-
ridge assumes attitude obviously hostile 10 tsose
interests, il becomes cur dlssgrceable duty TO exv
pose him, to pluck the artificial feathers from the
chattering daw, and exhibit him in all his original
and natural uglIness.
In the TippeeanOe grafton alluded to, Mr.. Breek
| enridge says GA
''The speaker bad heard 10 charged thAs the ff.
teen slave States we're eouspiriag 10 obtain entire
possession Of the General Government Rith vie =
OF bringing its power 70 bear 20 extend aud peFpe-
tnate Their peculiar institutions Gentlemen, there
| has been 10 such attempt 1 Am connected Sish no
party thst has foe its object the extension ofslaTe
~ nor vi any 20 prevent the people OF State or
Z iioty from deciding the question ef is existence
or sx's,ence with them n themselves"
4 We call upon the shareholders OF the Sonih 20
read the foregoing paragraph and ponder Il fitting.
IT," II Is an open confession Of the principle d
Sqnaitsr Sovereignty which John c. Calhoan "a
vigosoasiy denounced, and which has been sst up.
political will-othe wisp, 20 misisad the South
| from qaagmre. 70 sa,mire Gniii il sunk iFr
mediaily IN the slough Of despend.n Il Il :
positive declaration thas the "seasslefs" Of Z
tsrfisegy have right soiegisats slavery late that
TeTrisory OF oat off, nsEoRE the orsanizn.ioa Of
State Gogsrnnisns sndas such we hcli Il Up to-day