Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-10-03

dissolve the Union in case it should take
place, and that by this, we encourage the
supporters Of this candidate to perse-
we're in their designs, and indirectly aid
them in their accomplishment. According
to the Union and American, we thus para
lyze the efforts of those who are laboring
against these sectional men. 1t says that
no one has yet sought "a division" of the
Union-that the cry of danger has been
raised, and warning has been given to
these Northern men that they are driving
the country to destruction.
We take issue with it here We say
"a division" has been threatened, that
prominent Democrats have stated their be-
lief that Fremont would be elected, and
their desire in the premises that there
should be a dissolution of the Union; and
we further say, that by its failure to dis
claim this desire on its own part, when
challenged to do so, we still entertain
the suspicion that its breast is not stran-
ger to such thoughts. Its article does not
make such a disavowal as we hoped for.
In the following paragraph they Craze the
point, and mean more than cursory read
ing would Indicate
'The simple election of one man is no more
occasion for the dissolution of the Union Than
the election of another. But it is the avowed
purposes for which he is elected and the policy
that is to control his administration, that will
promote or endanger the peace of the Union.
We have no doubt that black republican ad-
ministration would involve the government
in a civil war in less than twelve months"
In the last sentence there is evidently
the belief that Fremont's administration
will produce results which will justify the
policy which the holder of its party pro-
claim. His purposes" and policy" it
thinks, "will endanger the peace Of the
Union" and the inference from this is, that
it expects nothing from the Fremont ad-
ministration that the South should submit
to, and, in that event, division" of the
Union is most likely and proper.
1t is against this foreStalling decision that
vein company with Union men everywhere,
raise our voice We can well conceive
that under Mr. Fremont's administration
the Constitution may be violated, the
rights of the South destroyed, and the
integrity of the articles of Union be-
tween the Northern and Southern States
so impaired, as to justify a course on the
part of the South to maintain her rights,
at every hazard. If Fremont succeeds, it
will be by an entirely sectional vote. 1t
will be the first instance under the work
ings of the Constitution, and will very like
ly test its capacity as form of free gov
eminent to the "top gifts bent" We have
confidence in it, and will not anticipate a
weakness which it has yet given no evil
dence Of We believe, that in every sec
ton of this country there is a devoted at
tachment to the Constitution, and to our
present form Of government as the best
and wiSest ever devised by man, and a de-
termination, deep and abiding, to preserve
it. We believe that, whatever man may
chance to be charged with the administra-
ton of it, that there is a public Senti-
ment throbbng in millions of hearts,
which he will not dare defy. That there
are traitors in the land we have no doubt,
but when the solemn responsibility is placed
in one hand of preserving the liberties and
institutions of this country, we do not be-
lieve that one can be found mad and rash
enough to be raised for its destruction. 1t
would require a desperation and reckless
ness to which Cataline and Caesar were
strangers. An eternity of infamy would
be his portion, and we do not believe
that the country contains a man who
would tempt his destiny so far
Backers of Fremont may desire to use him
as an instrument to break down the conSti-
tuition and crush the South-backers, who
like the diSunionists South, are aiming at the
disruption of the government and the dis
solution Of the Union-6ut we believe he
will not dare to yield to their demands, and
were he to do so their object and his object
would be thwarted by the Intervention of
the sober second thought and conservatism
of the people. We should look upon his
election with the most poignant regret-be-
cause it would furnish evidence Of the su-
perior power of fanaticism in the North,
and of the weakness Of the South, and
would have q tendency to incite the ene
mics of our institutions in the North to
continue their efforts to overthrow them;
but at the same time it would arouse the
great masses to lively sense of the true
condition of things, and coerce them, if CO.
ercion be necessary, to put forth their gi-
gantic strength to save the country. In
this connection it should be borne in mind,
that the Senate stands as a mighty bull
wark of protection to foil the designs of
the fanatics. Without its consent Fremont
cannot appoint any but true national
man in his Cabinet-nor fill any of the
important Offices under the government.
That body will have the rein in its hands
to hold him up and check him in any meas
ure calculated to deprive the South Of her
rights.
Quoting our language "that the Demo
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