Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-06-24
N NASHVILLE:



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democratic Opposition to state Rights.
One of the highest and most sacred rights
OF the States in this coufederacy, is that Sc
curing to each perfect equality in the sdvan-
tages and benefits to be derived from the
Union. If the rights of one or of several be
protected and fostered, while the Others are
neglected, they cease to be equal and common
oenehcaries, and the doctrine of State rights
is invaded. The past policy 10 reference to
the public lands. has tended to produce pre-
cisely this state Of things. It is now proposed
by the American party to bring them all up
upon an equality, and to restore the Just and
proper equilibrium. With q singular procliv-
ity to oppose every thing which does not orig
mate with them, the sham democracy of this
day have put forth most determined onpo.
siiion to this measure. Thew have chosen TO
place that opposition mainly upon the ground
that 1t will subtract an amount from the trea-
sury, and reudeasn increase of the tsrifF ne
cessary. They have held up the spectre of
protection" and the horrors Of taxation to
the people, to frighten them from measure
which should commend itself 10 the ready
support Of all parties. Foremost in this oppo-
sition, and npon this ground, has been the
Nashville Union and american. It has dis
cussed the tariff in many very lengthy. and TO
be candid, we must say, very heavy articles
In these, if it has shown anv thing II has
shown that the present tariff laws operate nm
Justly and unequally, as between the rich and
the poor. We took occasion some DAYS since
to show that the democracy alone are respon-
sibIe for this state of affairs, and for continu-
ing II. That perty has certainly had the con-
struction Of the tariff laws Of the country for
many years past, sDd if they choose to complain
of and abuse their own work. It il certainly
none of onr business to defend it. We give
them onr hearty permission to make war unon
all their deeds and doctrines, and If thew can
make the people see their many errors and
shortcomings, we shall hail their success in a
good work, with many congratulations.
But it is insisted-we suppose to make the
argument against the tariff little stronger
and more plsusible-that the measure pro-
posed by the American party, if executed,
will still further increase the evil; in other
words, will make very bad much worse-it
will put on the last straw which is to break
the back of the camel. Let Us try this by
democratic testimony. Gen. HARRIS is, by
his present position, the very best authority
with lis party. In his efforts to deprpciate
the Importance of the land policy advocated
by bis competitor, be assumes that the sales
of the public lands amount to only two mil
lions Of dollars per annum, and after paying
all expenses, there wOnld remain for disiribu-
tion, in round numbers, the sum of one mil
Ton Of dollars He then throws himself upon
the arithmetic, end after dividing the sum by
the population Of the country, obtains QUO
tent Of precisely three and one-third cents. to
each one. He then holds up this insignificant
sum IS the result Of a mathematical srpu
ment, and asks triumphantly how are the peo
pie to be benefited by such a miserable pit.
lance! Now, il is very poor rule that will
not work both ways. The argument is that
it will draw that much out of the treasury
and therefore, the people will have to paw it;
and TINS 1t is seen that at the worst. the in.
creased taxation will be three and one third
cents to each inhabitant, fraction over the
postage on single letterl The argument cuts
both ways, and the attempt to diminish in the
one case, and TO magnify in the other. serves
but to show TO what hard extremi les thew
are reduced. Besides this, it is admitted that
1t the tax is increased, the receipts from the
lands would precisely meet it, and, in truth
the logic Of their absurd mathematics. would
leave the people precisely in the same condi-
ton that our land measures would find them
This is the snm and substance course and re-
suit, of the tariff argument of the Union and
Americcn and its candidate for Governor
With the simpering school boy, they say:
Zone from one and nothing remains:n and
having solved this grave problem, they chuckle
ont, thoughts a nought" We cannot believe
that the intelligent voters of Tennessee can
be humbugged by such ridiculous stuff.
But there is anotherpart Of this story with
which 1t becomes Us TO acquant the people.
While the democracy seek to alarm the peo-
pie by holding up taxation as the consequence
of Withholding TIE public lands as source of
revenue TO the general government, they vet
stand pledged in the most solemn manner
against its being considered or used AS a source
Of public revenue. In their last State Con-
vention, the same body which nominated Gen.
HARRIS, affirmed unanimously, and by the so
linnity Of a resolution that cit is indeed time.
in the language of President Jackson. that
tie public lands should cease 10 be looked TO as
a source Of rerenue" What it is right and
proper for the democracy to do, it is most
wicked and unjust for the American party to
dol
The Union and american and Gen. HARpIs.
are leading their party into maze of the
most absurd contradictions. We shall no,
undertake to say what rejecting democrats
ought to do; but we give them the facts Of
their position, and they may determine f,r
themselves, what their selfrespect and intel
!