Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-05-22
ETHERIDGE AND HIS PARTY.

ETHERIDGE AND HIS PARTY.
We can imagine the intense feeling Of mortifca-
tion with which the speech Of Mr. Ethoridge on
the subject Of slavery, in the House Of Representa-
tives, vas listened to by other Tennesseans, who
had the misfortune TO hear him. and to witness the
scenes, by which it was accompanied While every
Southerner felt to some extent humiliated BY the
recrsancy Of one Of their number, to Tennesseans
the occasion was one Of deep humiliation. After
the delivery Of his unoaled for TRADE against the
institution of slavery, for although clothed under
the hvpocritical garb Of opposition to the reopen
ing Of the African Slave Trade, there were none SO
tupd as not to perceive that its real purpose waste
strike an insdious blow at the Institutions Of the
South, he was almost smothered by the press Of
abolitionists who hOcked around him, to congratu-
late him upon his boldness in assaing the nstitu-
tious Of his own section. Their sparkling eyes, and
malignant gances fully attested that they knew the
secret SUPPOSE Of the speaker yelled though it might
be under false colors They felt their advantage in
attracting q Southern member into their ranks, The
happiness which filed their bosoms soon difused it.
self over all the regions of Abolitionism, and the
name Of Etheridge, was soon called with as much
reverence, by Black Republicans as that of Burlin-
game, or even Giddings. The New York Tribune,
was in extacies, and thus endorsed his Tennessee
champion:
From the NeD York Tribune, Dec. I6.l
''The Hon. Emerson Etheridge, who yesterday
submitted to the House of Representatives Outspo-
ken and fOrcbe resolve, deprecatng the renewal Of
the African Slave Trade, is an old fashioned Ten
nessee Whig representing old fashioned Wing
district formerly C. II. Williams then Milton
Brown's) which first elected him in 1853 without
opposition. He opposed the Nebraska bill uncom-
promisingly at every STAGE and was induced to run
again by the taUnts Of the Nebraska Democracy
that he dare not attempt justify his consttu-
ents his course on that measure. He did it. how
ever, and was last year reelected after most ami
mated canvass, beating his democratic opponent by
the close vote Of ,952 to 394 Mr.. Etheridge vO-
ted last winter, with the anti-Nebraska for Mr.
Meachams resolve that the Nebraska bill was use
less and pernicious revival Of slavery agitation"
The Tribune was too polite and consderate how
ever to OgerWhelm its new prOselyte with too much
couTnta Gation. 1t might nauseate even his own
party at home, and it was better therefore to be
cautious in its praises Other presses of the Black
Republican school, however, could not restrain their
impetuous joy. TIE Radical A5oJiJioaist, paper
published IN New York. in an article upon this sub
ject, says:
50 Mr. Etbsridgss resolution strikes beyond the Afi-
can SLGUe trade Il condemns the American sIaUe trade
and me Praccs Of SLAVE holding Nth die4 Il is dsnti-
fed!"
Yet this is the man who is held up as par-exoel-
lence faithful representative of the principles of
the party in Tennessee opposed to Democracy. The
announcement of his name as a candidate for re-
election was hailed with demonstrations of delight
by every Know Nothing press in the State. From
Memphis, from Nashville, from the east from every
direction, the shout went FORTH ''GOd speed Ethe-
ridge!" They said that upon him at least the par
ty might unite In other districts it might be ne
cessaIy to hold conventions, but where Etheridge
was concerned, It was regarded as entirely unne-
cessary. The pet Of Northern Black RepubGcanism
is also the favorite of Tennessee Know Nothingism
The Radical 45oitionist the New York Tribune, and
the Know Nothing presses in Tennessee, coincide in
the opinion, that Emerson Etheridge is a marvellous
proper man.
We desire in this connection to point to the fact,
that Mr. Etheridge has acquired nOtOriety solely on
account Of his course in opposition to the interests
and sympatbies of the slave States. But for this,
his very existence would have been almost unknown
beyond the limits of his own State and even in Ten
nessee his name has never been heard pronounced
by half the citizens beyond the limits Of his own dis
trict, except in connection with his Black RepubI-
can afinities and proclivities.
Our purpose in thus directing public attention to
this man, is that the conservative opponents of the
Democratic party, may the direction IN Ohch thai
party drtHg-that they may look at the political
history of their favored and accepted leaders, and
discover before 1t be too late the guph Of abolition
ism towards which they tending Is it safe for
the slave States to entrust their dearest interests in
the hands Of such men? are good and true South
erners willing to allow that such representative re-
fleets the sentiments Of Tennessee? viii cool head
ed rejecting conscientious men in Tennessee, give
their support to party which manifests this will
ing aacrity to truckle at the feet of aboitionism