Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-02-13


to be in constant, sanguine hope that portion
of the Democrats would unite with them in
passing resolution to decide the contest by a
plurality instead of majority cote-which,
it was equally as well understood, would give
Banks BIZ far the best chance Of election. Again
and again portion of the Democrats did
unite with the Republicans in voting fos such
resolutIon-but not quite enough of them
went over to pass it, through series of weeks.
1t is remarkable, that more than once, when
a portion of Banks friends seemed to be about
giving way, the Democrats would go into eau
Gus, and the plurality rule would soon after be
offered, and receive the support of Repuhli
cans aud Democrats, as though to stitfen Re-
publican back bones. 1t was said by Demo
Gratis freely, that they had as soon zee Black
Republican elected as a National American. 1t
was announced by members of the party on the
floor, that they would never vote for Nation
al American.
Anxious to prevent a Northern sectional or
ganization of the House, the National Ameri-
Missouri, an old line Wing, and not member
of the American Party. They voted for him
in a bOdy-but the Democrats refused to sup
port him. The National Americans gave, al
so, a hearty support TO Mr.. Oliver, of Missouri,
an old line Wllig, who was steadily voting for
the Democratic candidate for Speaker. Next,
the National Americans voted in body for
Gov. Akin, of S. Carolina, a Democratic mem
member, and who has steadily voted for
the Democratic candidate for Speaker, but
who did not attend the cancuses in which the
odous resolution was adopted. This cOnces-
sion equally failed to bring about a union of
Democrats with National Americans to defeat
the Black Republicans-the Democrats refu-
sing, under these circumstances, to unite upon
Akn They seemed determined to agree to
nothing the National Americans would pro-
pose; but, looking to the Presidential contest,
seemed rather to be willing to sink country for
partyS sake, in their efforts to humiHate them.
So, a few days after, Democrat nominated
Akin. another Democrat Immediately moved
the plurality rule which, by Democratic and
Black Republican votes, was adopted; and
then Mr. Orr, the Democratic candidate, NTH
dre,o In .tIr0r Of Ur. Akin! Thus, it was
made to wear all the appearance Of regular
Democratic arrangement, brought about By
concerted action. The National Americans pro-
tested against being forced, in this way, against
tie plurality rule-against being compelled in
to decision between a Dem )crat selected 10y
the Democrats in such way, and Republican.
They told the Democrats it would most proba-
bly, force the election of Banks, and they i'm
plored them to rescind the rule, and allow the
National Americans to vote voluntarily for
Mr. Akin, and not under c0mpuLi0R The
Democrats were deaf to this appeal. They
seemed bent upon making the National Ameri
cans dPpeur to pass under their yoke. The bulk
of the National Americans, holding country
above party, voted for Akin, notwithstanding
the inexorable rule fastened upon them; but
half dozen, indignant at the total want Of
Democratic respect for them, voted for the no.
ble hearted Fuller, as heretofore, and the re-
suit was, that DHltRS 0dS etected. nad The
Democrats evinced half the liberality of the
National Americans, a sound, national man
now would PROFESSIONALLY have been elected,
instead of Black Republican, and the coun-
try would have been saved ;he humiliation OF
n Northern sectional triumph by Northern
oOtes alone! Oh that the people of the South
could have been here, and looked on, and wit
messed the various exhibitions of petty parti
zan feeling which actuated the Democratic
organization, in their active course in thus
contributing to the defeat of the whole body
OF national men to whom the South looks for
defence. PoToMAO.