Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-04-25
Letter of Hon. James &. ions
To HIS Gonstituclts on Political Parties; His
Pat Course and future Intentions
To Mr CnxsrIrrrNr,:

fer fully aud freely with his Constituents touching
ali matters oi ,ubHc interest. address you this
letter :h!s qu-s Jsrsairs The more necessary al
this timr i0m h snonalou- condition of political
parties. aad The necessity imposed upon me TO res
pond 10 the inquiry ircqneuuy addressed me
by nv oisica friends Whatshsll we door
rather, what do you intend to do in the present
complicated state OF tbingsy
l shall not so far forget the relation | sustain TO
you as 70 presume to dictate 70 you what you
should or should 1ot do. | can Only suggest what
to me TO be The course proper to be pursued,
and 10 declare what il is my purpose to do.
10 addressing this letter, intend 10 embrace my
entire constituency, without distinction Of party or
nAmr, because have neither the right nor the dis
position to separate myself from the obligation
der which feel TO be the representative Of the
tire people of the State. But frankness requires
roe TO say, that the necessity which imposes upon
me this present duty, grows mainly out of the in
tercst manifested by that portion oimy constituents
with whom have heretofore acted; and by whose
ageacy was called TO occupy the position now
hold; in knoWmg what course | shall pursue in the
coming political contest.
IL s my purpose 20 deal plainly and csndidly
with you yet, in the strange and unprecedented re-
voution Of thngs,..l can scarcely hope TO fnd that
community OF sentiment and feeling existing bet-
ween myself ami the party With which have here
tOiore acted and which am indebtedtor all that
l am public man, that has hitherto character
iAsd our intercourse aud guided actions Whilst
this fear IL a source Of painful regret me, vet if
/ should, in the fast approaching eud Of my Official
connection with you, hesitate to speak plainly and
honestly, | should not only prove myself unworthy
Of all the hOnOIs you have conf, rred upon me, but
also secure TO myself convictions of msrited
tempt.
Il is well known 10 you all that have been, ever
since my entrance into public life, Wing Of the
old school, taking the patriot sage Of Ashland
ma nolifiCal eWamnar-thp zta nv which / WaR
wont to be guided. In looking back through the
long vista OF the past, and calling my aid all the
advantages which increase OF years and eIper"
fence are presumed to bring, ! find nothing TO re-
greet in the adoption OF that political creed. 1t
commanded my approval, aud by that chart was
content 20 steer my bark, amidst the storms aud
= sHIHskers by which il surrounded.
8 - proclamation is being daily msde by three
prominent and leading parties OF the country, that
the Wing party is dead F" This anuuncatiOn may
be grateful to those who make IT, but it brings no
pleasure 90 my heart. / believed ia its principles,
ready to abide its fortunes; in its prosperi
ty and trumPhsI r'joiced, in it's misortunes and
defeats wept II Others march with rude and
careless step over its remains, / for one, must be
excused from participating 10 any such strang
natural vocation. / would rather bedew the sod
under which it said TO repose with Of grateful
memory.
Whether this declaration, so exultingly, made,
Oo dho OF uOAi huh-i uOb supp 10 HlQuTe IL IL
enough (nay, more than enough for mel TO know
hat this great party, WHICH commanded the
affections Of its followers and challenged the
poet OF its enemies il not now dead, has fallen
from its high aud proud estate and is now in disOr
der and confusion.
By what agency this result produced-by
whom this great wrong 70 the affections and sym
pathies of the living and the memories of the illus
trious dead done-it s not necessary that |
should inquire; only rejoice 10 know that stain
Of the blood of the victim is to be found on my
garment.
Public position always carries with Tits response.
bilit,es, aud the obligations of fidelity those from
whom receive them is either expressed or inn
piled. The position now hold has brought its
responsibilities, and acknowledge it's obligations
The questions submitted daily, almost hourly
why stand weeping over the grave Of your burr
ed political afectioRsS-why not join the American
or Democratic partyi-I am ready TO ansWer;-
because do not agree with either Of Them and
because the obligation / assumed in accepting the
position hold contemplated no such result
was elected TO the United States Senate as a !
Wing, committed toitho support Of Wing principles
and Wing men, and have felt myself bosnd
by every consideration OF duty aud honor, to vim
dictate aud sustain them in my official position
have eudeAvOred faithfully to redeem the pledge
thus gwen and trust shall be faithful to the end
Soon shall return MY commission TO those from
dshOnor or uniaithiulness will attach TO it,
Thus much tor the past Let us turn to the pre-
sent and the future.
With feelings such as entertain, and have on.
deAvored TO present under ordinary circumstances
when no great public interest at stake should
be inclined 20 take part in the contest but would
content myself with the quetude aud retirement oil
private life But under the circumstances that
surround us-smdst the dangers that thr, aten Tot
only the peace and happiness OF the country, but
even the integrity Of the Constitution aud the
bhty OF the Unon-no patriot can feel Indifferent
patriot has right TO fold his and refuse to
do all he to arrest such evils ! cannot be a 81
lent or Indifferent spectator OF scenes fraught with
such momentous consequences 20 all that is held
most dear TO the lovers OF constitutional liberty.
IL cannot have escaped the observation of the
most casual that state OF things exists at this time
wholly unprecedented in the history Of parties .
Obtuse, indeed, must be the who does not
read, In the signs OF the times, dangers most i'm
minent TO the perpetuty OF the country. Crcum-
stances seem TO DO combining together which il
not arrested, must eventually end in the overthrow
Of this fair fabric OF human liberty. To avert
calamity full OF all that Is fearful so full Of an
utter overthrow Of all The hopes Of the lovers OF
freedom throughout the world, the best energies
Of the wise. the good and the patriotic invoked
In order 10 folly appreciate the dangers and
difficulties that surround u.s. IL is necessary TO look
ference or the bias of party prejudice, refuses to
make this examination, betrays disregard OF his
highest interests, that hud palliation in the
requirements of duty or patriotism.
What is the condition OF parties at this time, and
what is likely TO be the result OF the approaching .
Presidential election!
You may tot have given to this important ques
ton much serious consideration, aud may not,
therefore, have had your fesrs aroused You may
Halter yourselves that all is well-that there Il no
danger TO be appfchended. IL this be your condi .
tion, would dspcl the deusion which, IL persisted .
in, tear may prove fatal L. order to accomplish
this, beg your attention 20 a short statement OF
iacis as they are now presented 20 the country.
As before stated, there nov three prominent
parties In the country, each OF which, il Is certain
wi! present their candidate loo President aud Vice
President The American party has already given
as the names Of their candidates. Soon, the Dem
ocratie and (so-ealleo) Republican parues are to
hold Conventions 10 present the names Of their
candidates. With three candidates in the field, is
IL all certain that election be effected by tie
peopleg There is no such certainty; but there are
many wsll-groanded fears thai ri.etioa by the
people will be defeated and that the House OF Rep
rcsentaliTes sill bs the tribunal before ~hieh this
great question must be tried and decided. With I
the late prUtractrd contest Ia that BODY TOT the I
elrcton OF Speaker, sud is result. before us. Il
cannot be that auy saae who desires O. protect
the rights OF The South eau wish, or woud be
willing TO our rights submitted 70 such an
arbtnamsnt or the permanently OF the Union expo
sed 20 60 severe test Bat SHOULD an election
o'tain Oiore the people. which OF these parties e
aiost likely to suecredY Ia ord r 20 iorm something
like correct enlightened jadg ment on this sabiect
Is Propo-rd Ia inquire what s 10 De the nature II
ths c0ntestY Dy shat circumstances h IA 70 be
surrounded, and what questions are 20 be settled \