Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-01-26
The Course Of the OPPOsitiOn-the duty
of orr friends,

The Course 81 she OpposlGiOn-Lhe duty
of our friends.
We transfer to our columns this morning
an article from the Memphis Wig com
menting on the platform and resolutions
adopted and put forth as the basis of the
coming canvass by the Democratic Con-
vention which assembled in this city on the
9Th instant. There may be those who will
think its tone is too strongly tinctured with
bitterness and virulence, and its language
unnecessarily harsh and severe. But we
are frank to confess we are not Of those.
While we strongly deprecate the necessity
which compels public journalist to depart
from what is always the better course in
treating of matters which should fall within
the scope of mems Judgment and reason
calm, firm, moderate, argumentative tone,
and descend to the use of denunciatory cpl
thets, yet there are necessities which de-
mand the latter, and can only be properly
treated in plain and pointed language
which makes itself felt as well as under
stood. We think our Memphis cotempo-
rary has correctly appreciated the present
one, and are prepared to sanction the spirit
in which he has met it. And he will be
heartily seconded by the masses Of his
party whose boSoms are yet heaving with
resentment as they remember the coarse
insults, and groundless ISLANDERS with which
their principles and motives were assailed
by the opposition orators and presses during
last year They remember it too to profit
by it. They have treasured up their wrath,
and those who have aroused it may calcu-
late surely on bitter day of reckoning.
Another canvass will not find them so pa
tient and submissive. We entirely mistake
the spirit which moves our friends if they
are not prepared to give such assaults in
future warm reception. Experience has
taught them the impolicy of relying alone
upon the justice of their principles. They
have come to know that there is something
else demanded in the party warfare of the
present times besides a good cause. 1t
requires to be heartily defended, with right
good will and strong arm, and in the spirit
in which it is attacked. If poisoned shafts
be found in the camp, they must be returned
and driven home, letting the consequences
rest where they rightly belong.
The world of politics never witnessed
such a spectacle as was presented in the
last Gubernatorial canvass in this State.
1t has no parallel in the bitterness and fe-
rocity and almost insane fury with which
the American party and its principles were
abused A candidate for the elevated post
of Governor forgetting the prOpriety and
dignity he was expected to observe, how
ever incapable he might be of apprecia-
ting them, commenced the war 10y villifying
and denouncing its members as liars and
traitors, felons and thieves and midnight
plotters of treason, and forthwith from forth
the threats of his partizans throughout the
length and breadth of the State there went
up one frantic and furious amen, and in
every quarter the work of calumny and de-
traction was instantly begun. A legion of
fends fresh from the deepest and blacklist
pit in the Internal realm could not have
manifested a malignity more rancorous and
unrelenting. The records of no contest can
show more pure, malicious, transparent ly-
ing than teemed from the opposition press
es, and fell hot and kissing from the lips of
their speakers, during the canvass which
has signalized and ever made memorable
the defeat Of the American party in 1855.
While this warfare of violent abuse was
being openly and shamelessly carried on,
there was being circulated in every place
where it was thought impossible to expose
them, Misrepresentation as monstruous in
absurdity as they were malicious in concep-
ton. No means was thought too mean to
compass an end Invention was racked
for new schemes and unheard Of appliances.
1t was revolving to witness their dirty re-
sorts and contemplate maneuvering. 1t
has become portion Of the history of
land Boosting of free, unrestricted, intelli-
gent suffrage which we could wish to re-
main unwritten. But it is the truth, bit
ter truth which cost the cause of American
ism too dearly to be soon forgotten or for
given If there is body Of men on the
ace of the earth who can be excused for
the use of extreme language and retaliato-
ry epithets towards their political oppo-
nents, it is the American Party of Ten
nessee.
As is stated in the article to which we
refer their proceedings and resolves inti-
mate a repetition Of these scenes and SLAM
iers Flashed with victory as the result of
their FIRST experiment they rashly reckon it
safe in attempting it again. five read the
signs Alright they are destined to find it a
most difficult undertaking. They may ex-
pect in the future elimination TO be answer
ID with re-crimination, and blow returned
Tor blow. We think with our friend of the
IFAig that the time for mealy-mouthed