Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-07-20
The Contest.


rapidly drawing to a close, is the most inpor-
tant which has occurred in this State for many
years. 1t will likely decide irreVocably the
doom of one or the other of the parties for
several years to come. The Democracy have
seen this and become alarmed, and they are
bringing every possible means to bear to ac-
cOmpiish their success. In addition to the cir
culation Of documents, filed with misrepre-
sensations, they have organized vigilance COM
mittees, as we learn, in all portions of the State.
We have before US the resolves of the party
10 Hickman county. We present one of them
here, that our friends may know what they
have to resist, and that they may prepare to
meet and overcome it with sleePless vigilance.
7, ey say
Resolved, That in order more fully to carry out
the ubove Objects the chairman appoint a commit
tee of lie than three in each civil district; that
they be requested to consult with each other in
their respective trIcts, and with the voters gen.
orally, and if practicable they visit eUery Demo-
cratic and Wing goter and Ill 9th rs favorable to
the cause 0'thi ta0o three days Of the election,
and urge upon all the necessity OF attending ia
polls, and that If any are U"dbie to go from any
disability, TINT they procure, # practicable, their
. conveyance to the polls.
If they shall, by any neglect or apathy on
, our part, succeed in this crisis, they have de-
clared their intention to elect two United
States Senators, and if possible to re-district
the State. If they can accomplish this, as
they doubtless will if they have the power, it
does not require the gift Of second sight, to
foresee, that the work of prescription will be
thorough, and that they will so manage affairs
as to render the American party of Tennessee
( powerless for many years to come. As par
ty we have been denounced and abused through
all the grades and shades of calumDy. Our
motives have been impeached, our measures
have been ridiculed, our strength has been I'M
derrated, and every engine of misrePresenta-
ton has been brough, to bear in the work OF
our destruction. viii the true-hearted Amer
leans of Tennessee submit to defeat effected
by such means9 Will the conservative senti-
meut of Tennessee be permitted to be borne
down by the extremism, and radicalism of the
present sham Democracy
The question is not whether we can sue
coed, but whether we shall9 We feel conf
dent that q large majority of the honest yeO
many of Tennessee approve in their hearts,
the following declaration of principles:
Let. The Federal Union must be maintained.
%. The reserved rights OF the States must be
respected.
81 The decisions of the Supreme Court must be
enforced
4th. The union Of Church and State must be pre-
vented.
5th The rights of conscience must be guaran-
tied.
9th American interests must be promoted.
n American nationality be cherish
ed.
8th. Sectional agitation must be terminated.
9th Foreign paupers and criminals must be ex-
cuded.
10th. The naturalization laws must be amended.
lIth Squatter Sovereignty and Alien Suffrage
must be repudi lated
18th. Americans must rule America.
We believe further, that the land schemes
which have been foisted upon the country by
democratic instigation and by democratic sup
port, which have brought corruption and viii
aiuy into the National Council, and Injustice
upon more than half the States in the Union,
meet the disappr, baton of three-fourths OF
the people of the State, and that they favor
the equitable disposition of the public lauds, IN
! place of that TO which we have referred. II
the true feeling and sentiment of Tennessee
! .he ballot box, we should be triumphantly sus-
! tanned by a majority of thousands. IL requires
an effort TO counteract the secret Vaccinations
! of our adversares. If we put forth that et-
| fort, victory is certain. Let US lay aside our
J apathy, if we have any, and work from now
! until the day of the election. Let Us bring out
: the full strength of our party Let no man,
! who has the true interests OF his native land
/ at heart, falter in this hour of trial. All we
! want is a full and fair expression of the public
I will if we obtain this we are secure. This is
] not time to consult the uncertainties of
chance, to debate the probabilities of defeat,
! or to be warped by fear. It is high, a holy,
a patriotic duty that calls us to battle; let the
breach be filled, and lie; every part of the de-
voted column press on firmly, evenly, and ar
IDENTIFY, and our word for it, the day is ours.