Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-08-11

TUESDAY, AUGUST II. 1857.
Ehe American Party-Ils Duty and Des
TfnV,

recent elections in the South, have shown
the depressing effects of the result of the
last Presidential contest upon the popular
mind Of the South. It has stimulated the
democracy to renewed exertions to retain
the power which they already held; and
has SO far dispirited the American party.
as to cause many of its members to give up
the contest as hopeless one. Hence, we
find, the former marching in unbroken and
solid columns to the polls, while the latter,
overcome in advance with the prestige of
defeat, maintaining a mastery (perhaps
more properly a dastardly) inactivity.
While the democracy have made no ad-
vance in popular favor, and confidence, the
Americans have refused to put forth their
efforts and do battle for.principles, which
are unquestionably dear to the American
heart This we are confident is the fact
but we have not yet sufficient returns to
verify it. But so far as we have heard,
this truth is strongly Indicated In this
county the falling off of the vote amounts
to 340-of which the democracy lose IA,
and the Americans 1926. We presume that
this is fair Indication of what it is in other
parts of the State; and although there may
be a considerable reduction of the demo
cratic vote, that of the Americans, is pro
portionally much larger. We have all
along, been strongly impressed with the
idoo +bo+ tho daruonro ov uyOuId loco Gonna
thing in this State, and that if the Ameri-
cans would come up and poll their full
strength, we should have been successful.
We have not yet seen cause to change our
opinions; but still belive that even if the
vote cast in November last, leaving out the
reasonable increase, had found its utter
ance at the ballot box, the majority would
have been in our favor on Thursday last
We hold therefore that the American par
ty, stands in majority to-day in Tennes-
see, and shall not be convinced to the con-
trary until all the returns are in.
But whether these facts are true or not
they are necessarily of a controversial
character and cannot be absolutely deter
mined-and granting that the democracy
| are really in the majority, what is the duty
of the American party in the premises?
We may have seen one division of our army
fail to come to the charge, and assume the
position of Supine spectators of the contest;
is that a sufficient reason for US to stack
our arms and to surrender at discretion?
We have no upbraidings for those of our
friends, who chose to falter or refuse to
stand up with us in the hour of trial. 1t
was a great and fatal error on their part,
but it was their right, and we have no
other word, than that of modification
and regret, to offer to their course. 1t
is none of our business to inquire, eth
er,what will be their future course. We
should fain hope that they would throw
off the Iethargy, which aflicts them, and
through them the country, and hereafter
renew their ardor and devotion, to the
great principles for which they have con-
tended. Be this as it may, it is of but
slight concern, in debating the course to
be pursued by those Americans, who have
manfully, gloriously, but unsuccesSfuliy
fought this last fight. To men impeled 10y
an honest and sincere consciousness ofright,
who have greater love and devotion for
principles, than for the fluctuations Of pow
er and success, these are considerations of
most trivial import. Our duty is plain and
unmstakable We must preserve our spirit
, and integrity as an organization, adhere to
anddefend our principles, and continue firm,
! steadfast and unwavering in their advocacy.
! We would ask the Americans of Tennes-
! see individually, if one of them has less con-
fidence in the sincerity of his purposes, or
the rectitude of his principles, than he did
before the election? What has occurred
to convince him that he is in error? Are
American principles and American nation
ality of feeling, any less dear to us to-day
than they were a week ago? Are demo-
cratic principles improved, are they less OBJ
jectionable, less dangerous, than they were
a week ago? Or have we any assurance
that they will be improved, or become less
dangerous in the future? What motives
are there to urge us, either to fall in with
the democracy, or to cease to combat them?
We feel earnestly, deeply, and sincerely
that we are in the right; we heartily and
conscientiously believe that in the princi-
pies OF the American party rests the high
est interests of the Union; and thus feel
ing and believing, we are bat nerved to still
hrmer resolves, still greater exertions in its
behalf. The glory of the three hundred
whose heroism consecrated the pass of
Thermopyle TO the wonder and admiration
of mankind, is infinitely higher than that
of the millions that trampled over their
slain bodies We trust the Americans Of
Tennessee will continue true TO their stand
ard. What matters it with US whether we
hold the offices or share the spoils? Mo-
tives higher and holier than these, are the
impulses to our action. Except so far as
these contribute to shape and stamp the
policy Of the government, they are worth
less, and wholly unworthy of an honest and
patriotic people. Let US, therefore, man-
fully breast the tide which rolls so heavily
upon US; and if We cannot turn it back we