Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-05-23
on BoTH spEs oF LIE ouEsTIoN.

on BOTH SIDES OF THE QUESTION.
It is most fortunate for our Know Nothing cOtem-
poraries that having fixed principles or measures
of public policy, they can with immunity take either
side Of any question both sides if circumstances
require it, without any fear that their consistency
win be called into serious question. When the hu-
NOR seizes them, it is astonishing what fantastic
tricks they can play with the most serious face i'm
aginabe. Do they feel disposed to throw shell
into the camp Of the Democracy? They charge
the Democratic leaders with squandering the public
lands upon the new Free States, with the diabOlica
purpose Of furnishing the enemies of the South
with the means to attract white population with
in their limits, and to steal our slaves! Do they
wish to exhibit the Hon John Bell to the people as
a paragon Of q Statesman and liberal high minded
gentleman? They forthwith cite his humorous
votes donating lands in lavish prOfusion upon the
new States, as proof conclusive that he possesses
those commendable qualities. Sometimes we are
entertained with sage dissertations upon those
points, taking these distinct views of this question
the self-same day. In the one case they hold
the democracy responsible for squandering the
public lands, and in the other, they give all the
honor to Mr.. Bell for his craftsmanship and gener-
osity, in bestowng those lands upon the new States
By way Of illustration, we select at random two
paragraphs, one from the Republican Banner, and
the other from the NashU1le Patriot, both bearing
date on Goth inst. We viii begin first with that
which commends the craftsmanship Of Mr.. Bell, and
holds him up to the admiring gaze of the people;
From the NashDHs Patriot
Mr.. BELL AND THE PUBLIC LANDS.
IN no nafin been
governed by more liberal and enlightened views
than Hon. John Bell. Measures tending to bUiid ~
and strengthen the States, and TO develop their
resources, to increase and extend the commerce of
the country, and to magnify its greatness and re-
nOWn, have uniformly found in him a consistent
supporter EDidencs of this is to be IN his sup
port Of grants Of lands States for railroad and
other purposes. Although in some instances he
may have deemed the grants somewhat eXtravagant,
yet he has apparently regarded It sound policy al
ways 10 be liberal and generous. Under the Ope-
ratlons Of tins policy the new States have been
rapidly filed up with hardy, industrious popula-
tion, and their projects of internal improvements
pushed forward with a speed previously unrealized
The Banner, however, desired to make point
against the Democracy, and consequently we have
different version of the effect of these land dona-
tons. What was made to appear by the Patriot as
act Of sound policy and noble generosity on the
part of Mr.. Bell under the less amiabe treatment
of the Banner appears to be an objectionable squan-
dering Of the public domain by the Democracy
But to the extract:
From the Republican Banner.
Whatever pretence may be set up by the Demo
cratic party, as to its theory or doctrine, the fact
still stares the people in the face, that year after
year this Of public land is yielding up its fair
proportions the new States year after year these
new States are growing in strength and influence in
the federal government and that the time cannot be
far distant when ii Will be unnecessary to ask foI
what they viii have the power to take The limo
TatiOns are being made from session to session
with less and less opposition. This rich bounty,
contributed by the old members of the COnfederacy
Is being used "a building up free soil States, which
by their superior advantages arising from these
donations are enabled to draw out our capital anC
population, and by their representation in Congress
TO U0ts array q" Southern rights" Are the people
Of Tennessee willing TO quietly stand still while
these things are being consummated in open day.
We do not know how it is with other Tennesseans
but we confess to be somewhat stirred up ourselves
If the Banner Is correct in its declaration that th
gratuity has been "ussd in building up free sol
States" 90 cote array our Southern right" and The
PaEriot is right in atributing this system, in part
TO the Liberal and enlightened" views Of JOIN
Bell, who "has a1rays regarded Il as sound policy
We think it is high time that all parties in Tennes
should desire a change in our Senatorial Repre-
seutation. We are willing to observe liberia
course towards the new States, but when it come
to voting away the public estate, as John Bell i
charged with doing, for the purpose Of enabling
Feeso States to rob us Of our rights 1t is time tn
sovereign people should interfere and put stop Il
such suicidal generosity.
But We beg leave at once to enter our solemn pro
test against this mode of apprOpriatng to their owl
use both sides Of question They may select whicl
ever they please but We insist if we to be hell
responsible for the acts and doings of either JOh
Bell or the Democracy, that we be allowed to tax
one side or the other, and that they be required t
stick to theirs, and not be trying to steal our thun
der.