Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-04-09
mai. DoneIson and the wings.


Waj. DoneIson and the wings.
Our neighbor of the Union and Ameri
can told his readers on Saturday he was no
sophist. He certainly adopted the only
practicable mode of informing them of the
fact, as it could never be inferred from his
editorials. A round and positive statement
was his only resort The remark occurred
in the course of his comments on our pre-
face to Mr. Davidson'S letter. We think
we never saw a purer piece of sophiStry
than his Saturday mornings effort. He
puts an argument in our mouth that we
are incapable of using. Having done
this, he proceeds to contrast our consisten-
cy with Mr. Davidson. AS every one who
attempts to force sensible conclusions from
untenable premises he becomes involved in
a maze Of abSurdties
See how fairly he reasons. "And the
Patriots argument" says our neighbor, lis
in its legitimate effect this: the old JACK
SON Democrats abused Mr. CLAY: Maj
DoNELsoN was the trusted friend of JACK
SON: therefore, it is monstrouS for an old
CLAY wing to refuse to vote for DoNELsoN"
This most lame attempt at the reductiO Gd
abSurdum is drawn from our prOtestatiOn
against Mr.. DAvDsON's use of the name
of HENRY CLAY to build up the democratic
party, the lifelong enemies Of that great
man, and Of the principles Mr.. D. once
profeSsed Our neighbor in obedience to his
party instincts substitutes men and their do
ingS for measures, and assumes thatw do
the same. We can tell hr we do not support
Maj DONELsON because he is the nephew
of Mrs JACKSON, or because he was the
private secretary and personal and political
friend of JACKSON, or because he has held
prominent position in the Democratic
party, or because he has enjoyed largely
the confidence of Democratic administra-
tions. His former personal or political
affiliations have not feathers weight with
us We know his past course approves
him true to the Union, alike foe to for
eign enemies and domestic traitors. We
know he now acts in good faith with
conservative, national body Of patriots,
and these are the grounds upon which we,
and the American party support him. Had
he not these recommendations to our con-
fidence, though his veins ran the blood of
all the Presidents, he could be no candidate
Of ours
We DO not invite Clay Wings to the
support of the American ticket because
Mr.. Fillmore was one, nor are we guilty Of
the Stiffness of asking them to support
Mai. DoNELsoN because he was JACKsON's
relative. Our support is based upon high.
er grounds. We want all who act with us
to have due appreciation of the position
our candidates occupy on the great ques
tons of the day, and support them because
they are right in principle and trustworthy
as public servants. We scout the imputa-
ton that Maj. DoNELsON was nominated to
crafty the admirers of his great hero
friend and gain their votes, and scOrn to
make such an appeal to them for his sup
port We leave to our neighbOr the task
Of appealing to political prejudices forgot
ten in the grave, as a means of exciting
animosities between the living. We admire
living greatness and revere it when dead
CLAY and JACKSON were great antagonists.
Their war was giant-like, and shook the
nation. Their strife was lifelong, and bit
ter. We would be unjust to them to per-
petuatc enmties which, with them, ended
with life We shall not do it. To some it
is an occupation both agreeable and worthy,
and we leave them to enjoy it.
With men who profess to act from prin-
ciple, the business of exciting the feelings
of the Clay men Of former days against
the American ticket, because of DoNEL-
sons former opposition to CLAY, is one of
doubtful responsibility. Mr.. DAVIDSON may
avail himself of the plea to excuse his own
recreancy, but we again protest that he
shall not use it as an appeal to more faith.
low in his steps We will not dispute the
right Of any old line Clay Wing to change
Sides and go over to the camp of his an
cient enemies, but we contend that when
he does it, he is false to the great princi-
pies he once advocated He who embraces
modern Democracy, forgets his Whiggery
and forfeits his Claims to the honor Of the
name. Whiggery and Democracy are an
tipodal One who has been a sincere Wing,
never can be an honest Democrat, without
revolutionizing his political nature. To
act with the Democracy, to be "among
them and not Of them" 70 work for the
same end, and yet disdain fellowship with
their co-workers, is a rather equivocal pc.
sition for men protesting to love their old
party, and regret its dissolution. When
we find Clay Wing hobnobbing with
Democrats, we think he is in the right
place, and only regret that he did not find
it sooner The future may disclose that
the Wing party, over whose grave a tor,
rent Of crocodile contrition has fallen, fell
at the hands of its pretended friends. A
party without these Brutuses may survive,
or at least die worthier Death.