Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-07-26
THE ONLY DANGER.

ILL OAt-@A OAAOEh
Before another weekly paper will have reached
large portion of our subscribers the result Of III
present political contest for Governor, members t
Congress and the Legislature will have been deter
mined. We desire, therefore, few earnest word
with our friends in different portions of the State
The Importance of the present contest cannot
easily be magnihed, but may not be fully apprecia
ted be large portion of the people who are toe
much engrossed in the daily avocations of life to
keep constant watch upon the political elements
that are give sunshine or Storm prosperity adj
versity, TO peaceful and prosperous country
The last Presidential election involved great and
leading principles Of government believed to be s-
senia to the preservation Of ccnsitasisnal liberty
as wen as the safety Of our doaeslie institutions
This fssi wss 50 generally rercgussd By men Of an
shade Of party difference, as to bring the united
South with tie exception Of single State in solid
column to 'he support of the Democratic candidate
Tor President. He triumphed, and in that triumph
over the only real contestant, Mr. Fremont all ma
tional men have recognised the salvation of the
country. No one questions that if he had been de-
feated great would have been the shock and threat
ening the blow which constitutional liberty would
have felt Whether our present government-which
is nothing more than the instrument of human
hands, though wisely eonstueted-eould have lasted
another four years, is problem difioult to solve
but there can be no question that it would have
been the giving way of the base of our proud super
structure, which never could have been repaired
short of revolution and all Of its attendant caami-
ties. But, thanks to the wisdom and patriotism of
majority Of the American people, We have driven
back the aggressor and trampled the Goth and the
Vandal under foot. The country is now prosperous
and happy. Citizens are in the quiet enjoyment of
their rights and labor finds its full reward Our
Commerce rides King upon the seas, and the hus-
bandmen are the proud and undisturbed "monarchs
Of the soil" In the long march of humanity, the
worlds history presents no spectacle so proud, so
grand, SO glorious.
The question which we would eonjure UP in the
mind of every honest patriot, is: Shall we sustain
the government thus peaceful and prosperous. thus
grand and glorious-shall we uphold the arm of the
Administration and rely upon its continued wisdom
and integrity shall we give fair and impartial
trial to its policy, the policy upon which it was in
augurated? Or shall we manifest dissatisfaction
with our present peaceful and prosperous condition
refuse TO sustain the authorities selected to adj
minister the gOvernment-seek to destroy its power
and defeat its pOlicy-and again go out on the wide
sea Of adventure and hazard unmindful of the past
and reckless of the future?
Such is the real paramount question, involved
in the present canvass in Tennessee, and which
1t will be the duty of every freeman to an
swer for himself in short time at the ballot boxes
of the election.
We have heard from all portions of the State |
We feel that have ascertained the sentiment of
the masses. We know that the great body of the |
people are satisfied with our present veal and are
opposed to its disturbance-that they have conf
denee in the integrity of the party in power and |
faith in the salutary effect of its principles as now
in force. And yet there is danger-that danger
which makes eternal vigilance the price of liberty
There is danger that the people, too tranquil and
secure, may sleep while the enemy take away their
power. The Democratic party, the party of the
strong in Tennessee, as well as
throughout the Union--is weak in its Over-conf-
dence. What matters it that we are strong, if we
sit supinely and let the weak man crush US? What
matters it to know that have large maorities if
We sleep upon that consciousness and fail to deposit
Dur votes at the ballot-box?
Awake Democrats awake the enemy are at
bur doOr-the night is far spent and we must watch
for the morrow, else we may find ourselves Grip
pied and overpowered when the day comes, by su-
periOr adreitness, energy and zeal This, and the
distractions which exist in localities growing
tut of pretended 'cams of rival aspirants in our
,arty, constitute the only danger. But it is dan
ger of no small consequence and merits the earnest
ttentOn Of our party in every county in the State
We speak frankly when we say, it will be serious
nless attended to-
We therefore urge the Democracy to GO TO
YORK, to organize and determine upon some means
getting The entire pofe to tie polls on the day Of
lection.
Let every jealous Democrat see his neighbor, and
emind him that the election is near at hand Re- ;
hind him, also, of the danger of apathy and of the
Importance of sustaining the Democratic ticket in
he present contest Remind him of the hopes of !
he opposition based upon the general lukewarm-
ess Of our party. Guard him against the imposi- t
ons which our opponents may seek to practice upon i
im-against the ridiculous that may be put I
circulation on the eve of election-against the Z
auds, chcanery and tricks that the tools of party
ay attempt to practice. Let the Democrats of C
7ery civil district consult among themselves, and
certain who from any cause is likely to be absent
l the day of election, and where the difficulty can
obviated spare pains to do so. When the day I,
election comes, see that all have voted before
e polls have lOsed
1t will require but little personal exertion with n
oh TO accomplish what we desire. In the :,
,moeratic ranks all are captains All have duty
perform. duty not to party, but to principle u
d our country. Our cause has worthy representa- IL
res in our candidates. They dischargng their v,
ty-let discharge ours. Let us so acquit our III
Ives that when the hour of trial has passed we sa
all have the pleasing satisfaction of knowing that =
have discharged duty like Patriots and Dem AT
rats fl,
--------------- pc
WE DENY IT. al
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