Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-02-12


bat to our mind it is evidence of deep and
deplorable decay Of sound feeling at the
North, rather than an argument why a
great party should strike cardinal and
essential doctrine from its creed, for the
purpose of concilating this unsound senti-
ment, and ofering premium for defectson
to TIE Constitution. A nationality, acquired
at the sacrifice of principles which underlie
the interests of the South, which emanate
directly from the Constitution, recognizing
the Institution of slavery, and providing
guarantees for its security and perpetuity,
so long as it is the interest of any portion
of the people to retain it, and without which
provisions that Constitution would to-day
be but imperative paper, is not to be de-
sired This is not the nationality which it
was the mission of the American Party to
foster and maintain. A nationality igno
ring the constitutional rights and dearest
interests of one-half of the people in the
Union, is not the nationality which it was
fondly hoped the American Rarty could es-
tablish The nationality of no party is
permanent and durable which has not its
basis in the teachings of that instrument
whose letter, interpreted by the supreme
judicial authorities, should be the law of
ALL sections. A nationality founded on
a mere question of expediency is hollow and
unsubstantial, and cannot last. 1t may
serve the immediate end for which it was
instituted, but it will not establish healthy
public sentiment, and in the end will be
found to have worked harm instead Of good.
But we have seen the disadvantages
which have resulted to the party from the
twelfth section let US enquire what would
be the effect if it were stricken out.
Southern Americans and the great body of
the Southern people regard the substance
of that section as embOdying a doctrine
which secures them their rights and pro-
tectS their interests. Can it be supposed
for an instant that they will remain in,
and sustain party which, for the purpose
of securing a party victory, deliberately
ignores, and refuses to take cognizance of,
this doctrine, founded, as they believe, in
the Constitution, and right by every prin-
ciple of justice and equality? 2 Can they
longer respect or retain their connection
with party which, having once assumed
high grounds, will give ear to the cOunselS
of intriguing politicians, and betray the
Constitution in order to propitiate fanati-
cism? Instead Of recording non-confor-
nance with such platform among North
ern State Councils, these ignoring nation
alters would have their attention turned
to the reputation of Southern States, and
the seeding Of Southern Delegates. In
stead of presenting party composed main
ly of Southern Americans, with a very re-
spectacle portion of sturdy, stif-back-boned
Conservatives at the North, firmly planted
on a glorious constitutional platform, and
gradually but surely increasing in strength
day by day what was once the great
American Party, would become North
ern free soil party, interspersed with a
few of1ice-hungering Southern dough-facSs,
needing no principle conservative Of South
ern interests, and giving loose rein to anti
slavery fanaticiSm Such course, while it
would not effect the lOaged-fOr nationalist
ton of the ignOrers, would be more likely
to throw Southern Americans into the
Southern Democratic ranks, and establish
and strengthen at the North a powerful
sectional party, with no distinct principles
but opposition to slavery, and aggression
upon Southern rights.
Does any man doubt that the South is
not welded TO the twelfth section, or think
that it will consent to give it up? Look at
the action of Virginia, Kentucky, Georgia,
Alabama, and Mississippi, in their State
Conventions, endorsing, without dissent,
the Philadelphia Platform. Look at the
primary meetings held in this State, APP
pointing Delegates to the Convention to-
day in this city, nearly every one re-aflirm-
ing the principles of that platform. Is any
one so ignorant of the character Of the
Southern people, as to suppose them viii
ling to ignore a question which the occur
rences of every day demonstrate is placing
their property and rights in jeopardy? I'm
til majority of the Northern people learn
to respect the Constitution and laws, and
pay more regard to the rights and interests
of their Southern brethren. they are politi-
cally infusible and incompatible with us,
and no process of ignoring can blend or
weld us together as harmonious whole.
We have said majority, for there is a
large minority who are with as, and
with us will and can maintain the constitu.
tional nationality of the American Party
Then we cannot see what is to be gained
to us as a party, by undoing what is salts
factory to vast majority, and right and
proper in itself, in order to appease a mi
nority, who are in the wrong. And for one
we shall never subscribe to such action by
the American Party We say, then, in
conclusion, let us maintain the ground VIZ
have chosen. Erect the American banner
on the Philadelphia Platform, and close oul
columns around it for its defence. If w
4 fail, We shall be sustained by the reflection
that we fell where the good soldier falls, a
the most of duty. IL we trinmph. how in