Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-07-03
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CAsPBrtr ce5xrT, Jahe "a, 1857.
Ms DUSS1S5FoN :--As you have many leaders Of
your esluable paper il East Tennessee, propose to
give you hasty communication II reference to the
signs of the times in the I'd Congressional District
Our gallant standard bearer, Col Wayne W. Wallace
is doing noble service at this time, and the DemOc
racy throughout the dstrct, together with many old
line Wings, are rayihg his support with unusual
zeal and determination
Ills competitor, Horace Maynard, Esq, Though g
man of decided talents and ability. utterly fails to
compare favorably with him in the discussion of the
great issues which divide them.
Mr.. Maynard. with his long practice in public
speaking and aready facility in soPhisty and dods-
ing, makes probably better appearance to the now
disorganizsa faction of Know Hothingism than most
any man of his party but when you come to the
true point of meritorious discussion Col. Wallace
towers far in advance. Mr.. Maynard consumes a
portion of his time of discussion in attempting to
show that though he does not adhere TO the oaths,
Secrets grips and pass words of the party, that its
principles are right; but much the greater portion
of his time is consumed in the attempt to arouse the
prejudice of the people in favor of that timeworn
and defunct hobby of the distribution of the public
lands He is in favor o. dividing the lands among
the States and of paying the State taxes and county
and municipal corporation bonds. He also pours
out his walls of abuse and denuncaions of the De-
moeratic party.
But when Col. Wallace comes to the stand, he be-
gins with the deliberation of statesman when dis
cussing great political issues-he marches boldly up
to the absurd positions of his competitor-draws
away the veil of humbug snd sophistry with which
Maynard's positions are SO adroitly wrapt, and ex-
poses their fallacy and utter untenability He pre-
seuts the great cardinal principles the Democratic
party in their true and in their most impressive
character and at the time he literally demol-
isbes his competitor the principles and the thou
sand and one platforms of Know Nothingism, and
shows that this party but panders ignorance and
the lowest preudces of its follewers-that at most
it is but miserable subterfuge and humbug, by
which men without merits of their own, may be
hoisted into power and place. But more particu-
larly upon the question of distribution does Col.
Wallace fell with mortal blow" the propositions OF
Mr. Maynard. He analyses the whole frame work
of this "time-worn hobby'-dissects every bone and
fibre Of this giant hu5ug, and exposes the bare and
naked skeleton to public scorn.
| have not time to give detailed account of the
arguments of Mr.. Wallace on those great questions
Mr. W. has been but quiet farmer for the last ten
years, but brings to his aid an amount of talents
and political information of which any man might
feel proud of in this country. He has the conf
dence of the people in his honesty and devotion to
his principles. They are now engaged actively in
the canvass and the friends of Mr. Wallace are san
guine of his success
The Democracy are actively atwOrk. Tennessee
by all means, in this race, ought to follow the ex
ample of the mother of States, the Old Dominion
where this hobby of distribution has been consigned
to premature grave. This race is evidently the
last dying struggle Of the opposition. When al
other panks of their lettering and rickety platform
had fallen this old distribution horse mounted
by John Bell to aid him in his journey back to th'
United States Senate, and the whole gang of Know
Nothing Ofce-seekers have sought refuge under the
shade of this political horse.
But the people have too long been duped by tht
new issues and stratagems of political tricksters
they are beginning 10 read and think for themselves
Public opinion is assuming position high above
the paltry notions and prejudices engenderedby tht
tamperings and false colorings of political organ
zation. The result of last November is freshin tht
minds of the people-the various promises, asser
tons and positions of the opposition in that race
have proven to be false and deusive. Will the peo
pie not now gather wisdom from the teachings o.
the past? Will they not now come boldly to the
support of the only national party in the nation?
O. C.