The true Democrat., 1856-04-22
The Democratic Convention Of tn
From the Memphis Bulletin

Hickory Springs, Wednesday, March 26.
 75 E B. Hotchkiss, cf the SomerviNe Star:
 Your very smart Rtng'' at me in your little sheet, of last Saturday, under the head of Dismion," gives high promise of your future success as a partisan editor. The use of my name in the connection and manner was dictat- ed by bad spirit, and was a wilful violation of courtesy and tairness-commtted, evidently, with Me antent to excite feeling, pervert facts, and create prejudice Justice, proprety and good sense would have prompted quite a diff ferent notice, in letter and spirit, of my late po- litical exprt ssions, however widely we may have differed. But of this you may say, it is for yourself to judge, having become the master of a newspaper, and set yourself up ill the edi- torial Armament as fixed star,' to guide the good people of Fayette as to the !" capacity'' of correspondents, and political matters generally. And you say, sir. there is no practical or grave question at present agitating the great masses of the people, north or south," endangerng the Union What Is the matter at your nattve- north? and what scenes are they that are ac- tua|ly there transpiring. al the instance of na- tive born sons?" Or does it amount to q grave question:" that northern men are banded to- gether, armed with "revolvers and Sharpes rifles" to shed southern blood upon the fields OI AdISdS, III d Wal uIIOI JIIO IHotIluIlO4 VI slavery? What was the matter in Congress in the late election of Speaker, in which the north- ern Know NothingS and aboltionists banded together for the success of the abolttonist-- Banks? Or was there no "grave question" in contest? And what was the matter in the re- cent election of Governor of New Hampshire, in which the northern KnoaC Notiinqs ond abo- MiOnists banded together to defeat the denlocrat- dc candidate, who so noblv stood forth as the advocate ofsouthern rights? Or do you regard free s0ihsne dld ab0litt0nlsm raising no "grave question" upon which the people of this section of the Union should be disturbed? Or do you consider that the sostA has now surrendered, as a "damnabIe sectional issue," the "question of slavery" and as upon your northern platform, the conquered victim of northern power and con- trol? It is true the "great masses south are apparently "unmoved," but their quietness is the stiffness that forebodes the storm" They are hinking hstening and observing, with anxie. ty and determination of purpose. Party "syrens' may whisper "peace, be still" but certain time, your notlUe north will have to let alone the institution of slavery, and concede 1t as positive element of our system of govern ment--as subject matter peculiarly our own, and out of reach of abolition reform, before true harmony can preval-before a genuine national political party can exist, or our Uil0n be SGte. This is all 1 have said. And you, too, would have the door closed against the free and open expression of my opinions and apprehenslons- you, too, would shut out bolterns' from your party from the freedom of the press," and denounce them as seeking notoriety." You are sorry to see such excellent journals as the Memphis Appeal and Memphis Bulletin filling their columns with such stuff And this is your 'oI J,J ism, whose elevation is igh above the proscrip- ton and corruption of the old parties; address ing itself to the intelligence of the people, and protesting strict political piety! repeat, sir that the gallant and successful manner in hich you fleshed your maiden sword," gives high promise of your future as partisan star of the first magnitude.
 You wind up your beautiful paragraph as follows: "We know not how 1t is elsewhere but we assure you, neighbors, you cannot per suade ten men in this county that the Union k really in danger, or if it was, that Franhhr Pierce, H. B. s. Williams, and E. s. T., all combined, have capacity to devise plan for it: salvation" Well, speaking for mysef-sup posing l was called upon " to devise plan"- my first step would be to correct tue abuses cfM' press, by making clean sweep of ignorance prejudice and political dishonesty; by taking i out of the hands of egotism, hireling buffers and partisan demagogues, and restoring it to it. true position as the great medium and dispen ser of popular information, truth and knowledge as the great civilizer and promoter of social or ganzation, and as the sentinel and safeguard o public liberty. Thus, purified it would wield nao,al power that would elevate the standard of political qualification and integrity-woulo enhance in popular esteem the blessings of ou free government, and unite us in the ties O sympathy, as a nation under the banner of the Union. Il. $. 5. WILLIAMS.