Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-02-14
President Cockc,s Address.

We republish from the Banner Of yester
day, the address of Col w NJ Cooke on
taking the Chair to preside over the deIib-
erations of the American Convention.
Having, as we thought, made arrange
ments for full report of ali the speeches
and other proceedings of the Convention,
we were as much astonished as any Of our
readers, in not finding this address in the
PatriOt yesterday
Gendemcn of tie Contention of the american
PARTY of tie State Of Tennessee: feel that you
have done me very unmeured honor, and one
that feel myself entirely unworthy to receive at
your hands | feel, gentlemen, that it is a distn-
gushed honor to be called to preside over q Con-
vention of the American Party OF the State.
feel gentlemen, that your objects and your pur
poses are noble and patriotic were the pur~
poses aud objects OF the Convention that assembled
20 frame the Constitution of the United States.
| Applause Sirs your purposes and objects are as
noble and patriotic as were the purposes and oh
jects of our revolutionary sres. What were their
purposes and objects? Their object to resist
British aggression: their purpose was, that AmeTl
cans should tax America. Your Object, gentlemen,
is not only to resist British influence aud aggres-.
Sion but is TO resist the influence aud aggression
of the power Of the Old World in combination
against The domnions OF the Old World have
looked with wonder and establishment, and with
fear and trembling upon the progress OF American
liberty and American institutions in the West Our
progress has astonlshcd the crowned heads over
there; and they are as Snan, in the purpose to
overturn our government. And thus 1t becomes
the one great purpose Of the American party to re-
sst the wes and the influence OF British power.
and the power and influence OF the opposing world.
Ii comes home TO US as duty; and IL comes with a
more profound sanction than it came TO the patriots
of the revolution Great Britain gave g. our an.
cestors an open and fair light Our ancestors met
them on a hundred battle fields, and wrcsted from
the British power this glorious country Of ours,
which has since grown up from infancy to man
hood and maturity until il has become at once the
admiration and envy OF the world; and they have
combined TO send out myrIads Of their pauper pop
ulatiou to our shores-a population calculated to
work subversion Of all the objects and ends Of
our happy Institutions. Shall We submit 20 this in
terVention? Never, gentlemen; never-never
Gentlemen, We have more to do than our fathers
had ia 1916 and it is unfortunate for Us that
not united aud agreed in contest tor the
American Union. Why should We not be united as
band Of brothers in this contest and upon this
question which overrides all others in Importance
Why cannot the South be united when she looks
at ultimate results 20 flow from this immense influx
of foreigners controlling elections and occupy
ing our high pldces?-why cannot We stand to-
gether united man.
Gentlemen, let US look at this question. KIN
il s said by adversaries that We need not be
afraid OF this foreign Influence aud they have gone
10 t,e trouble 10 collect unsatisfactory have gone
where the Foreigners are not, and collected their
statistics, to disprove any cause Of alarm. Put the
foreigners don't come 10 the Southland whyy IL
y because they are opposed TO he peculiar intitu
tons Of the South Their education and training
has made them adversy to slavery, aud accordingly
they 30 to the States where it is not They have
overspread the North like swarms of bees in the
mouutAlns, aud are Filing up the whole country.
What is the RESULT They are adding every year
more aud more TO the power OF those standing in
opposition 10 the institution Of slavery and their
votes are filling the halls Of Congress with such
men. And yet there are men at the South who
stand up in our midst and say, '1et them come {"
thus YOU see they invoking power and an IN.
aueucs thai is suppressing the very foundations Of
our Southern strength. How ills that any friend
OF the South and Southern interests can stand by
and endorse such things. | cannot tor the lite Of
me see. But this patriotic American Party, seeing
these threatening indications, coming 10 the
cue-thry have rallied, and determined to resist
these things TO the death; aye, aud NC ought TO
rrsist-we mast resist.
Gentlemen OF the American Party your purpose
is noble one. iou have every incentive TO rally.
You rslly for toe cause OF your oouniFy-ior the
mAinteas,ce u principles which have been pur-
chased o. lhe battle fields Of Ike Revolation-pri,.
eiplez consecfaIrd by the blood Of your patriot
siees. These principles your ihheri'auee. VIII
you permit these foreigners TO come IN and disln
hertz y yus The sol OF America Is yours; it con
tans the ashes Of your patriotic sires and ail you
permit the toreignrrs 70 govern lhis happy eoantry
of ,oarss ! answer DO, never, never
This, gentlemen, is 10 be the controlling question
Of the coming Presidential canvass. Upon this
question &c have been once defeated bas thank
God | see your faces that you hase nOt been COZ
qacFvd We weFe defeated in The last Presidential
canvass BY this forisn influence snd che Catholic
vote. Bat SO you are bnekhng on yUar afmor
again Ter lbs hshI that Ia 70 come on ne1t TAI, aud