Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-06-17


be at once opened most destructive Gre upon bis
competitor, upon the distribution question. For
upwards Of three-quarters Of an hour did be pro-
duce argument upon argument, upon the eonstisu-
tionaiy and the expedency Of that question, FIRST
quoting the opinion of statesmen Of acknowledged
ability upon lie constitutionality, ell Of high repu-
tation with the Democratic party, even to Andrew
johnson, and lastly Il any thing more was neeeed,
he 'pied Pelion on Osss," made witness of Gen.
Harris himself supposed that be was OF unquest'on-
ed authority with bis parry upon that subject, and
showed by bis vote while representative 10 Con-
gress, that be himself bad always admitted the pow
er Of Congress 10 this respect by frequently voting
as gift lands to different purposes.
He then alluded TO the alien suffrage avoWed BY
Gen. Harris, and said that to permit uunaturalized
foreigners, subjects OF other governments, OF kings
and potentates to pcllute our free institutions and
ballot boxes, in our territorial elections, was cry
Ing shame, that the doctrine infamous that its
iniquity smeed to high h.aven, that it was infam-
Gus and deserved bitter denunciation."
After discussing, with marked ability, the other
questions involved in this canvass, especially Gen.
Harris notification resolutions, Introduced into the
Legislature of Tennessee by him, that fatI 'eate"
which at Wpynesboro had made the General
stand before his audience with such blank express
sion of countenance, as to make bis friends 'smile
aloud" even to his face. For one hour and half
did be discuss and thoroughly anayze these issues
and expose argument after argument, of his COM
petitor, by apt illustration cogent reasoning in-
termixed with sallies of wit and humor, that made
the "matured Statesman" bow, crest-fallen and
beaten, before the 'decaiming school-boy," of the
''cedar sbags" of Wilson.
Gen. Harris then arose and said that it was not his
habit to epithets that, heretofore and in other
discussions, he bad not applied epithets either to
persons or doctrines. That Col. Hatton, had at
Fayetteville, be thought on Saturday, used lam
gusge personally offensive to him. that be then
thought there was but one alternative left him,
that this probably arose from q mutual misunder-
standing, that mutual friends had so settled IL.
That Col. Hatton had then said that the doctrine
OF Alien Suffrage was Infamous and Ubiquitous. That
he had to-day used similar language, and even
stronger, that he would ask Col. Hatton to state,
whether he intended to reflect personally upon him,
in the use of the word infamous, and please to state
it.
COL HattoD, with galantry and an air of bold
ness and hgh-toned chivalry, that could spring
alone from one who was the "soul of honor" Said
VI too, thought the matter between US was settled
"by our friends. understood that it had been de-
cided by them that the denunciation of doctrtue,
was not the denunciation of its advocate have
here to-day denounced as Infamous, the doctrine
"of Alien Suffrage, which you have avowed. The
COMMITTEE OF Our friends have decided that in so
"doing did not denouuce you personally. will
snow say to you once for all, Gen. Harris, that waen
81 DESIRE to denolce you, shall do it BIZ no iadi-
ERECTION, and an such dmGnner you ,CiH not hare
"he least difficulty IN understanding me- You
"sir, have denounced the land policy advocated by
"me as bid for votes, dscaiming at the same time
"any personal disrespect to me. / denounce your
doctrine of Alien Suffrage as infamous and iaiq-
"uitouS. l shall continue so to denouuce it on
''every stump throughout the State whenever we
''may meet in discussion. This is my right-a
fright which shall not waive, and which no Amer
''ican citizen should ever surrender" With this
the "matured statesman" proceeded to argue first
the constitutionaty OF the distribution and also its
expediency. l shall not give his argument, twas
but shift, what bis party would doubtless call an
ingenious nswer, and in truth dodge made up Of
'shreds aud patches" He then proceeded TO de-
fend his different votes, to explain his apparently
different POSITIONS to reconcile cash to all and all to
each, and for about fifteen minutes, made an appeal
to the democracy to stand by their ancient faith;
not to desert their banner but by all the glories
of the past and bright visions Of the future to stand
or fall by their democracy.
The replies we're Of the same order az the first
speeches. And now sirs, it only remains for old
Franklin to do her duty in August next anG the
birthplace of the "matured statesman, but now de-
serted, by him will, predict give a vote to the
''declaiming school-boy" who, in the last conflict
for President, EIector, endorsed the champion
OF Democracy in his bsiwick, and who 10 'sngle
tilt at arms" while member of the last Legislature
cleft helmet that il yet uurepiired, and who day
after day now, is winning aurels that so much
adorn his brow. AMERICAN.