Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-11-21
Newspaper Prophets.

Wednesday, as pure specimen Of egotism
as ever appeared in print. Our contempt
rary appears TO be extremely happy over
the result of the Presidential Election, not
3 so much because the democracy have sue
ceeded with minority of the popular vote
in electing a President, as because certain
speculations Of its own, made during the
canvass are proved to have been not un-
founded and given it some claims to relia-
bility as a guesser-or rather as a News-
paper PropheH 1t is really diverting to
think of the air Of self graduation and self
complacency which distinguish the article
in question. At the risk of boring our
readers we shall take the trouble to prick
the bubble, and reduce the prophet to the
standard Of ordinary spectators.
We find, upon turning to the record, that
it has been the habit of our contemporary
invariably to predict the success of its par
ty in elections, State and National, and. ii
should not be deemed surprising that occa-
sionally some Of its prophecies are verified
by the result. Its aggregate success, we
apprehend, will never excite the envy of
the most hopeless novice in the profession.
The first campaign of the chief Editor, in
this city, was that of l84T. At that time
d he presided over the columns of the Nash
vile Union. The contest for gubernatorial
honors was between Aaron V. (of blessed
memory, and Neil S. Brown. Two years
previously the former had beaten the gal
liant Wing champion, E. II. Foster, one of
the best men the State has produced, and
he started out in this race with the advan-
tage of the handsome majority of fifteen
hundred on his SIDE The struggle was
warm and vigorous Our contemporary
thought his party had q sure thing of it;
and on the Sth of July, he prophecied as
follows:
From the Nashville Union, July 8, 1871.
The Glorious Prospect.
At no period Of the present canvass, in which
all has been encouraging and which has witAess-
ed so brilliant a succession ofdemocratc trumphs,
have the prospects of a democratic victory on
Thursday been brilliant at this moment. Gov.
Brown himself has returned to this city in the fin
est health and spirits, and more than satisfied with
his prospects. From she east we bear, by gen.
tleman amply qualified to Judge, who has been
through that entire section, that we will lose votes
in DO county there, while we will gain in nearly
all and make large gains in some. In own di-
vsior, We think we know that we will do FROM 1900
N 1000 better than two years ago, while 10 the
West shall make a still larger propOrtOnate
gain.
There was prophecy bold, clear and
distinct. 1t was no giVings out after the
fashion of the oracle of Delphos; there was
no installing its meaning Not only was
Aaron sure of reelection, but he was to gain
in every section of the State. What was the
RESULT Aaron was beaten, and lost in ev-
cry congressional district in the State with
single exception
SO much for our prophet in 1847!
The next year, I848, the memorable
race between old lack and Gen. Cass
''came off" Our contemporary, as Editor
of the Union, made vigorous fight for
Cass, whose election he assured his read
ers, all the time, was certain. He even
claimed Tennessee. We here present some
of his prophecies that year:
From the Nashville Union, Oct 1s4s.
In addition TO the cheering news brought by Gov
Brown, may add that We have received letters
within few days from most of the other electoral
candidates and from many prominent and well in
formed democrats and that there is not doubt err
pressed in one Of them Of the CERTAINTY OF CARRY.
ING TESEEssKE
Again, noticing wing estimate Of the
result, he said:
"Here Taylor lie given Ieuen votes more than en-.
ough TO elect him. Not a State il put down for
Cass which is not certain for him, whilst Connec.
ticut New Jersey Pennsylvania, Delaware, Mary.
land, North Caroina, Louisiana, Tennessee and
Florida, are put down for Taylor. He cannot in
all these States, lose more than seven votes without
being defeated. Now, 10 say nothing of Pe,lnsyI-
aas,id which is certain for Cass as Alabama,
does any whig believe that in the other States
named, casting 81 electoral votes Cass will not get
seven votes. Remember, that even if Cass were
20 lose Pennsylvania, Of which there Is not even
chance he has yet 10 get seven votes out Of 81 TO
be cast by Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware.
Maryland, North Carolina, Louisiana, Tennessee
and Florida, 10 be elected. Seeing this what Whig
can doubt the election OF Cassi Let them turn
aud twist ths matter AZ they please they cannot fz
$50 as 10 beat Casa. II can't be donel Wing kg.
ures elect Cass. Taylor cannot be elected. IT cANr
DoNKl"
Notwithstanding these unequivocal pro-
phecies, Tennessee did cast her vote for
Taylor, and by more than siE thousand ma
JOrity; Pennsylvania, Maryland, &C., also
voted for him, and he was elected. ar
CAN'T BE DONE !" proclaimed the prophet.
IT Is DONE, echoed the result.
In 1851, our prophet predicted the defeat
of Hon. w. b. Campbell for Governor
but the ballot-box told quite different
story.
In 1862, he had gotten into the American
Office, and put forth his predictions through
the columns of that journal lie declared
Scott would not carry Tennessee. Hear
him:
Prom the Nashville American Oct 49, is5s-E q. Esstman
Principal EdiiOr.
If we do not make clear gain over the last Gu.
bernatoral election IN East Tennessee, of HOO; 10
Middle Tenuessee Of 1900; and in West Tennessee
Of ZOO; then We viii give the Banner all the hats
We have left which Son on Scot's nomination.
We dare it 10 put down its own estimate Of the 70.
sHlt for comparison with ours alter ths election.
The gains be spoke Of in the above extract
were all moonshine Scott carried the State
handsomely.
In 1856, he prophecled as to the result