Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-04-26

Letter OF Hon. Saihes -
, His C0zstituents on Political Parties; His
b. Past Course and future Intentions
lcoScLUDED.1

IcoEcLUDEp.
What has the South to gain by postpouing this
Element! Shall we be stronger next year than
- or will they be weaker then than now. New
ltes are soon 10 be added to the Coniederscy. In
few years, six or eight more States may be ex-
scted 20 be admitted into the Union-most, II not
of them free Siates-thus further diminishing
equilibrium between the free aud States, in
asing the power Of the one, and consequently
ninishing that Of the other.
know the over-cautious and timid still insist
2; on a further postponnient, saying Put OIL the
il hour az long as you can" l. there any safety
this9 seek TO preserve this Union. There
compatible with justice and honor to which
] would not resort to accomplish such result; and
is from a firm, immovable conviction that de-
mined, resolute purpose to have the question
It and settled now furnishes the best il not the
ly hope of accomplishing it, that protest against
further evasion OF the question, and counsel
ID, and manly acceptance of the issue rendered.
have presented some reasons why we have
.dhing to gain by delay. All We get is increased
ength on their part coupled with arrogance in
Il, or injury Let me illustrate this position furth-
= proposition was made in the Senate in 1852
repeal the fugitive slave law. This proposition
tceived only four votes. Again the proposition
IS renewed 10 1855, and it received nine votes;
I'D am informed by the most reliable authority
1t it can now command fifteen votes in that body;
d from the same reliable source | learn that
jority of the House Of Representatives are in ia
IF of a repeal of this law and if they do not pass
"a act repeating it in that body, il will not be be.
use they have not the power and the will to do so,
1t because they doubt its expediency. What an
iNmink increase is here seen, and what a striking
,'mmentary on the policy and wisdom Of further
'stpOnement. few years since there was in the
,ouse OF Representatives a little squad of Adolf
nists, so small in numbers, Insignificant in ta-
sHt to excite scarcely any other feeling than that
pity or contempt. Now we see them able to elect
presiding oficer-the third officer under the Gov
''ument-one of the most incorporating enc
les of slavery anywhere to be found.
Are we to gain nothing from experience? Shall
shut our eyes and close our ears for fear we
~ hear the distant thunder or see the flashing
;htning that presages the gathering and coming
FORM? If we not able to assert and maintain
IT rights now, when, tell me, when shall we be?
To you, who have known me ALWAYS, aud before
nom my antecedents are, need not repeat pro-
stations of my devotion to the Union; but frank.
compels me to say unless this constant war of
;gression this incessant war of insult and injury
=, be arrested, the preservation of this Union is a
Dpeless fancy-an idle deluson.
And you must allow me to saw with equal frank.
'ss and deep regret, that unless this war should
ase-unless the right secured to US by the Consti.
ftion shall be respected; unless our property can
o., secured from robbery and con6scation; unless
1T honor and our feelings shall be respected; IN.
rSs we are permitted to hold our pasces in the
nion on the terms Of equalty as prescribed by the
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. degradation; unless we can
we together in peace and quiet as did our fathers
If these things cannot be accorded to us, then
sooner we separate the better. We can never
,nsent to retain these political relationships at the
anfh nnnr fhn Il.
hold it at such price would cover US with
antle OF infamy; and the spirits OF our fathers
ould rise up in judgment to condemn the degen-
'racy OF their Can we lend ourselves to such
osttulion? NeUcr, never nevsri
Some may suppose have drawn this picture too
rongy-thst it is not so dark as present it. Be
ut deceived. The secret purposes and machina-
ons of your enemies are but merely sketched
me inquiry doubtless presents itself to your mind
there no escape from these apprehended evils?
there no way of arrestng results so fearful, on
hch we seem to be driving with terrible and in.
reasing velocity hope there is; and it is this
Dpe that bids me warn you ofthe danger, in order
,at you may apply the remedy.
Our opponents will present one nnbroken front
lready their ranks are being marshaled for the
sy. All other dissensiOns to be hushed. All
iscord is to be banished. All differences of opn.
N are to be waived. They are to stand, as one
IAN, or one isolated point dOv. NTH slavery.
Successfully to meet and resist this united COM
ined effort ofour enemies, there must be cores
ending effort on our part We must have the
-Ime union; the same surrender of our prejudices
he same waiver of opinion on matters OF mnor
Importance. We must stand together for the Con
tuition and the Union; for in this and in this alone
there safety.
Appearances, ! grant are full Of announcement
ut, midst all the surrounding gloom there is sta
O. hope to cheer the heart of the patriot, bidding
i'm 'hope on, hope ever" am opposed TO any
Official geographical line. deprecate all issues
purely sectional character, and despise all sec
onal parties and it is in order to crush out all such
arties that would exhort all national conserva.
We, Constitution-biding, Union-loving men, of al
artes to unite together for the purpose of Arrest
lg the further progress Of this party, seeking to
lvance its fortunes at the expense of the peace o
Ie country, and the safety OF the Union, by advo.
Itng question purely and essentially sectional
10 not look 10 the South alone to accomplish thi
ork. Unaided by the conservative men of tn,
orth, we are wholly inadequate to the task II tn,
ntire people OF the nonAslavehoding States are t.
regarded as inimical to rights and institution
zen any further hope of pacifcation, any furthe
'ruggle for harmony, and recognition OF our right
vain and useless. | am happy, however to know
.at such Is not the case Many OF the truest bold
t, and most fearless defenders of the constitution
i rights of the South are to be found in the fire.,
tstes. have seen them throw themselves in the
reech, in defense of our rights with a promptness
'alantry, and manliness that challenged the admira
pn, and might Justly excite the emulation OF tn
kost chivalrous son of the South. Many Wings
democrats and Americans at the North are as 10y a
10 the Constitution and all its guarantees as are tn
lien Of the South; and il all these conservative
could be united, land why may they not?) they,
foubt not, would constitute a majority in many o
the free States.
In this condition Of things, why, / ask, shout
rot the South which has so much at stake and 70
The rights of which these gallant men Of the Nort
have contended so faithfully abandon all its bick
'rngs, petty strfes and party prcjuiices and STAN
together for the Constitution and the Union. Thu
united in defense OF common interest," ard in ress
lance to common wrongs, we might, with hope AM
confidence, appeal to the conservative men Of th
North TO come TO the rescue. Such an appeal
know would not unavailing or UNDECIDED But di
vided as we are, intestine war raging amongst U
with widest fury, with what sort Of confidence cal
ask our friends Of the free States to lend ne thei
Riig The course being pursued by the South il
this critical junction OF affairs is in my judgment
Ihe contamination Of folly and madness
What Is there IN the creed Of the Democratic
American, or Wing party that can weigh for mo
aeh1 10 the scales against the integrity OF the Union
What question, cherished by either OF them, tina
lhey are not ready TO postpone or abandon, Tor th
AXE of the Unioni / ask no man to abandon hi;
principles, but do ask all men who love the Con-
stituton, TO waive their opinions minor and unim
Portsnt questions for the graver and more vital
The preservation Of the country. am not a mem
Der of the American or Democratic parties and
however much. may differ from them on some sub
feets yet am ready to unite with them in thi
great and hope last, struggle for the assertion
and maintenance of our rights. II such an UnioI
this could be effected, the battle would have beeI
already fought, she victory won, aud the dsturber
II peace, these enemies Of the Consit tuition and th'
country, would be sent bowling back TO tie 4rl
and internal dens from which they came.
Can coasHmmstion so deyoaIy to De wished
for be effeetedY | would TO Heaven il eould-but