Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-09-18
CORRESPONDENCE.
DIsTRICTTNG THE STATE.
A. c. 1aa

the state, by our Legislature, al Its approaching
session. As to whether there should be any sctiOn
Of the Democratic party, OF that time, looking to
either total or partial re-disricting of the State
would seem to your correspondent to be matter
worthy Of grave and serious consideration. And
in this moment Of comparative calm, and before the
usual political feverhest shall have been excited by
the assemblage at the capital Of the recently elected
Representatives of ell parties it may be well enough
ESPECIALLY for ours which is the dominant, and
the refore responsible party)-thSt this question
should be somewhat mooted; so that whatever may
be done in the premises shall have been done only
after the maturest elaboration Ihave adverted to
the fact that we are the dominant party and trust
that we are destined long to remain such. Indeed,
do not see how ws can fail to do so unless we COM
NIT some great political blunder. After series Of
political struggles, such have been Witnessed in
other State, and embracing the whole period that
has elapsed since the division Of parties in 1885,
the Democracy of Tennessee are, at last proudly
triumphant both in the Legislative and Executive
Departments Of tie State Government. Such re-
suit has occurred to but once before QS39) 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
raying points, and cheered by their old leaders
It is different One by one, all the measures for
which they ever contended-it might not seem cour-
teous to deny that they did have any prineipIs) -
have, during the interval to which have referred,
been demonstrated to be fallacies 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 te
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
ed the Judgment of those but faithful teach
ers. Nor has it availed our opponents that mean
while and, one by one, the issues they had tend
cred all seemed to be growing unpopular, they were
successfully abandoned by them from time to time,
thrown overheard, as the e1igencies Of the day
and of the then pending causes might require, or
mere party policy and expediency suggest. The
common, and to them by no means unfamiliar, ruse
of change of name has served their purpose no bet
ter. Under all the various aliases they have assum-
ed the fortunes of the day have proved equally dis
sstrous to them; the only difference being that while
the people, by very decided vote, it is true had
merely expressed their disapprobatiOn of Whigism
and its measures; yet RnOsO Nottingham American
ism and American Whigism they have repudiated,
with indignant scOrn and of the old Wing measures
distribution the only one Of them sought to be re-
surreeted by the Opposition, during the recent can
vass-(sll 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 it has ever PropOsed-presenting the
same unbroken and unhinching front, through all
the varying fortunes Of the cOnfict-has stood calm
ly awaiting the final srbitrament Of the people,
which has at length, been pronounced. The future
would seem to be with ourselves; and it only re-
mains for US, not only to refrain from abusing the
power with which the people have clothed US, but
even to "aVOid the appearance of evil"
1t may be all very true that the Legislature st its
approaching session. and in advance Of the session
of 6l2 will have the right to re-disrict the State
partially, or even entirely; but the question recurs:
Woad it be proper to ezerciss it, 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.
ton Of theirs they afford to the Opposition already
fairly broken down and left without peg to stand
upon, so far as all former points of difference are
concerned even plausible excuse for appeal to the
people for reversal of the decision 80 recently
DoHnced. Having nothing also left to them, their
only resource will be to endesvor to excite pre-
judice against the very name of Democracy, and
sympathy for themselves hfiTf e = oi c en-
to anticipate the svidity with which they will seize
upon the slightest prete1t for such complaints Be-
sides, in reference to any change at this time, and
in anticipation of the usual period, Of the different
districts, at present arranged, it might well be
asked: Gus bOno' Is not the thing good enough for
US as it stands! Have we not, already, majority
of 20 on joint ballot in the legislature And does
not every one at all familiar with these matters
know that half that number would be a better,
practical and working majority?
We have out of the 10 Congressman; and the
surviving three of the opposition shaking in the
wind, and are bound to 60 by the board next time
without some great indiscretiOn part. Again:
II we are now strong shall not be strong
er at the session of 1912 if we do right? And can
we not afford to BEAR during the short time that
mains, any evils Of the Henrymander of '51-2 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 so decided
" with US, should not favor US then? For one,
would say, NJ! Let US not seem to fOrestsll it.
With parties, as with individuals, there is great
temptation to the abuse Of power in the first flush of
victory; and in the one case in the other, there
is never so great danger as when there is overcOD-
fdence of strength. But it may be urged that in
the session of '5l-2, when the opposition had the
power, they " Henrymandered" the State.
They did SO, most outrageOusly; and no man felt
it more deeply than did your correspondent, who
was constrained to be reluctant witness of the
wrong while it was being done. But how signslly
have the people rebuked them for it! Right and
honesty have tTiumIhed in the game, though they
had most foully stocked the cards on US.
Andrew Johnson, for instance, TO say nothing of
many other good Democrats in different portions of
the State, whom it was attempted to manage out Of
position,1 was Henrymsndered out Of a seat in the
Representative Branch Of Congress. From the mere
psrtiEan wirs-workers who had abused their power,
he appealed to their masters. The people respond
ed by making him Governor Of the State; again re-
pested their expression of their esteem and conf
dence; and unless your correspondent has wide
" mistaken their sentiments (of course speak Of
the masses, not of the mere politicians will be
greatly disappointed should their representatives fail