Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-07-16

~ confess said Mr Clay at the close of his Iof-
ty and imp lssiCned ,peech Distribution in 1885,
Il feel anxious for the fate of this measure less
on account of aOy agency had in proposing it, as
l hope and believe, than from a firm, sincere, aad
thorough conviction that no one measure ever pre-
scented to the councils of the nation, was fraught
with so much unfrixed good, and could exert such
powerful and enduring influence in the preserva-
ton Of the Union itself, and upon of its high
est interests"
If at the time Mr.. Clay uttered these words
Distribution was a measure of "unmixed
good" and could exert powerful and endur-
ing influence in the preservation of the Union,
how much greater would be its benefits now
How immense has been the material progress
of the nation since 1885. The great ocean
steamships have drawn the old and the new
world closer together, and more firmly weld
ed the bands of commerce. The magnetic
telegraph has placed all sections of the Union
within few moments communication. The
Railroad has been increased to an almost IN
limited extent. developing in its progress the
wealth and resources of States, with a rapid
ity and to an extent uudreampt of, by those
who laid the foundations of our government.
In accomplishing their portion of these grand
results-thatis, in constructing their Railroads
some Of the States have taken upon them
selves immense burdens, in the shape Of taxes
and debts, whilst others have escaped these
evils by bountiful gifts of lands from the gen
eral government-lands in which all were
equally interested. a distribution of the boun-
les Of the government, extending aid in equal
proportion to the States which have received
none, would be a measure of "unmixed gOod'
in atfording the means of relieving them of
their burdens, and continuing and completing
their internal Improvement enterprises. And,
furthermore, as every mile of Railroad con
Meeting the States, gives additional strength to
the Union, it would have a happy effect in
perPetuating the government under which we
live, and put off, perhaps forever, the calami,
ty of disuuion. Against a measure fraught
with these blessings, we find the leaders of
the Democracy of Tennessee arrayed. Their
hostility is most bitter, active, and unrelent-
ing. It will not suffer them to render eoual
and exact justice to the people of our noble
commonwealth, who are struggling to shake
off the mighty incubus which has kept her
behind her more favored sisters in tn, race for
wealth and renown, and foiled her Efforts to
open all her rich valleys to the remuneratng
advantages of the markets of the world This
Is one of the curses of party. It should not
be permitted longer to cralnp the energy and
enterprise Of our people. There never was a
more favorable time for laying aside party pre-
judices and meeting upon common ground for
the promotion of the interests of the State.
Let the people, therefore, in spite of party al
legiance agree to push forward to success the
great measure of Distribution, and reap the
blessings which will follow in its train Let
them take advantage of this favorable con-
juncture Of political affairs, and strike for re-
suits higher and nobler than mere parlizan tri-
umphs. Let them but do this and the oppo-
sition to distribution will fast crumble away,
and the final accomplishment of their desires
be rendered certain.