Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1856-05-22
FAYETTEVILLE, TENN: THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1856.

Democracy, united by a body Of
most pernicious civil and religious
prescription, and all covered with a
most dangerous and anti-Republican
secret machinery.
/ He thought it unjust, unconstitu-
tional, and a violation Of good faith
! to invite aliens to surrender their allie
glance to their own governments, and
upep the alluring offer of free citizen
ship held out in our Naturalization
laws, induce them to swear fidelity
to our government, then to be proscri-
lbed and denied the constitutional
rights guaranteed to them. He de-
precated this faction of contract.
either by law OF by regular concer-
ted political action. He thought it
wrong and antagonistic to every prin-
ciple of our free institutions, that re-
hgious tests for office should be ap-
| piled to any man. These things he
called prescription personal, civil
and religious prescription, unjust and
wrong, and he could never approve or
promote it.
He thought this proscriptive party,
however, dead-no longer powerful or
dangerous.
That the only issue at this time
was the slavery question, and the
only two parties now contending for
the reinsof government with any hopes
of success, were the Black-Republican
and Democratic parties. And be-
tween the two, he was bold to say,
that if the Wing party was not recog-
nized, he stood ready to unite with
the Democracy, if in their June Con-
vention they put forth a national
platform and presented worthy expo
nent. He only wanted such plat
form as he, with the above expressed
views, could as a national man stand
upon. Mr.. Dixon was often and en-
thusiastically applauded, and spoke
with much earnestness and feeling.
The Chairman then announced the
Convention adjourned, When loud
calls for Stevenson, brought to the
stand Thomas B. Stevenson, whose
able and forcible communications to
different papers upon the political
questions Of the day have added much
to his reputation, and been most tell
ing in their overthrow Of prescription
and fanaticism.
Mr.. Stevenson was in the same
category with Mr.. Dixon, though be
said his comparative obscurity had to
some extent protected him from the
general denunciation which had been
heaped upon that gentleman. He
repelled such charges with indigna.
ton. He was still true to his princi-
Piles, true to his country, true TO him.
self and his own sense of right. The
great mass of the Wing party had
ingloriously abandoned all their prin-
ciples, deserted their ancient faith,
and degenerated into miserable,
fanatical, proscriptive one-idea faction,
with whom he never could or would
affiliate. He would not discuss their
doctrines as he believed it ungener-
Gus and not magnanimous to strike a
fallen foe. The party was dead and
prostrated, and he would not tir the
carcass.
As State organization, however,
they had some show of strength, and
he did feel at liberty to denounce as
alarming, pernicious and dangerous
the recent movement of the order In
this State, by which the spotless err
mine of the judiciary is to become
the cloak for partisan aspirants, and
its independence Frustrated before
party advancement. 1t was most
lamentable and deplorable manifesto
ton of the extremities to which the
organization was to be carried. And
it becomes the duty.of all good men
who have at heart the Independence
and purity Of the judiciary to rise in
1 indignant rebellion and repel this at
temptt to impose partisan judges upon
the people. But he had not time to
discuss these questions, ,atanother time
land on a suitable occasion he would
be pleased to discuss or debate these
positions with any one.
i He concurred with Mr.. Dixon in his
views of the issue and parties IN the
next election. The issue be believed
; to be the slavery question; and the
J only formidable parties at present IN
!. the field we're the Black-R Republicans
) and Democrats. 0fcourse he did moi
II 4 L~<~<-< h.