Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-09-17
cORRESP0YDENCE.
DI sTRlcTNG THE STATE.
AFr,rprrrs CaDt & IQ6-

of the Democratic party, at thaG tlLne3 looking 10
either total or pan 'iial re-disricing of the SJae
would seem to your correspondent to be a matter
worthy of grave and serious consideration. And
in this moment of parstve calm, and before the
usual political fever he at shall have been excited by
the assemblage the spital of the recently elected
Representatives of all psres it may be well enough
Especially for ours which is the dominant, and
the refOre responsible Party)-that this question
should be somewhat mooted so thai whatever may
be done in the premises shall have been done only
after the maturest delberatioa. Ihave sdverted to
the fact that the dominant party and trust
that we are destined long to remain such. Indeed,
do not see how VS. can fail to do so unless we
nit some great political blunder After series OF
political struggles, such have been witnessed in
no other State and embracing the whole period that
has elapsed since the division of parties in 1885,
the De nocracy Of Tenn essee are, at last, proudly
triumphant both in the Legislative and Executive
Departments of the State Government. Such re-
suit has occurred to us but once before 1880 dur
the long weary, and bitter contests through which
we have passed. Nor was our triumph then, for
many reasons. half so decisive. The opposition of
that day were but temporarily conquered to renew
the struggle at the next election, upon their old
rallying points, and cb eered by their old leaders
Il is different One by one, all the for
which they conten debit might not seem cour
teous to deny that they did have any prineipL,)-
have during the inter val to which have referred
been demonstrated to be falacies, by time, expert
ence and trial. The same stern teachers have vim
dictated the principles, and measured, and general
policy for which The Democracy have ever battled;
under all circumstances, and without reference to
the chances of temporary success, or defeat What
is more, the sovereign power the popular voice. has
at length, in the most unmistakable terms sanction
Ell the judgment of those severe but faithful teach
ers Nor has it availed our opponents, that mean
while and by one, as the issues they had tend
cred all seemed to be growing unpopular, they were
successfully abandoned by them, from time to time
thrown overheard, the exigencies of the day
and of the then pending causes might require or
mere party policy and expe liency suggest. The
common, and TO them by means unfamiliar, Tuse
Of change of name has served their purpose no be-
ter Under all the various aliases they have assum-
ed the fortunes of the day have proved equally dis
astrols to hem the only difference being that while
the pee pie by very decided VOTE it is true, had
merely expressed their disapprobation of Whigism
and its measures; yet KaoV -Nothiagism, American
isn, aud american Whigsm they have repudiated
with indigna mt scorn, and of the old Wing measures
distribution, The only one of them sought to be re-
surrected by thu, Opposition, during the recent can
vass--,au the others being, by their own express
admission, obsolete has received its quietus for
ever.
On the other hand, Democracy, unchanged in name
in principle, or in the measures of governmental
policy which 1t has ever prCposed-presentng the
same unbroken and uufinching front, through all
the varying fortunes of the conic has stood calm
ly awaiting the final arbitrament of the people
which has, at length, been pronounced The future
would seem to he with ourselves; and it only re-
mains for only refrain from abus sing the
power with which the people have clothed u.s. but !
even to "avOid the appearance of evil"
Ii may be all very true that the Legislature at It's
approaching session, aud in advance of the session
Of 81 . will have the right re-disrict the State
partially, entirely; but the question recurs:
Would be proper to eIercise a? am not aware OF
any precedent for such action in the political histo
ry of our State; and now should not the Democratic
party in the Legislature be careful, lest by any &C.
ion Of theirs they afford the Opposition already
fairly broken down and left without peg to stand
upon, far all former points of difference are
ncerned, even plausible excuse for appeal to the
people tor reversal Of the de ision so recently pro
n1unced Having nothing also left to them their
only resource will be to endelvor to excite pre-
judice against the very name of Democracy, and |
sympathy for themselves, being a wronged and
outraged minority, &c, sc And it is not difficult
to anticipate the avdity with which they will seize
hs 8,
Sides in reference TO any change, at this time and
in anticipation of the usual per cd, of the different
districts, at present arranged it might well be
a ked c1G hoao2 Is not the thing good enough for
as as it stands! Have we not, already, a majority
Of 20 on joint ballot in the Legislature? And does
not every at all familiar with these matters
know that half that number would be a better,
practical AMI working majority?
We have out of the 10 Congressman; and the
surviving three Of the opposition shaking in the
wind, and are bound to go by the board next time
without some great indiscretion part. Again.
Il we strong shall we not be even strong
er at the session of '6I2 if we do right? And can
We not afford bear during the abort time that re-
IN aims, any evils Of the Henrymauder Of '5l-2; in
the confidence that we will be able to repair all at
the usual and regular period? Ought we to manifest
anything like greediness of power or distrust and
apprehension lest the popular voice now so decided
ly with US, should not favor US then? For one, l
would say, M! Let US not seem to fOrestan it.
With parties, as with individuals. there is great
temptation to the abuse of power in the first flush of
victory; and in the case, in the other, there
is never so great danger as when there is over-con
ddence of strength But it may be urged that in
the session Of '5l2, when the opposition had the
power, they " Henrymaudered the State.
They did so, most outrageousy; and no man felt
it more deeply than did your correspondent, who
was constrained to be a reluctant witness of the
wrong while it was being DONE But no " signally
have the people rebuked them for it! Right and
honesty have uiumI he'd in the game, though they
had most foully stocked the cards on us
Andrew johnson, for instance, Ito say nothing of
many other good Democrats in different portions of
he stare whom 1t attempted to manage out of
Dosjton,) was Henrymandered out of seat in the
Representative Branch of Congress From the mere
partzan wire-workers who had abused their power,
be appealed to their masters. The people respond
ed by making him Governor of the State: again re-
Deated their expression Of their esteem and conf
lence; and unless your correspondent has wide
y mistaken their sentiments (of course l speak of
he masses, not of the mere politicians,) will be
greatly disappointed should their representatives fail
to place him in a higher position in the National
Councils than that he formerly occupied There is
IN old maxim that, it is wise to be taught even by
IN enemy; to gather instruction not only from his
kill and success, but also from his discom6tures
md mishaps One Of the rocks on which our ad-
ersarcs split in their little hour of triumph is be-
ore US. Let take warning from their experience
.cs us be content in all things, to let well enough
lone, and not try to legislare too much Give US a
hort session; no more laws, except such as shall 4
ave been found to be really necessary; and no a
amendments TO old ones butthose that experience may
ave shown the interests of the State acquires above
Ill., let us avoid special legislation - the hedging
rnrnl of Il t.,- with chnrtnrna Drir;looOo L. a