Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-06-04

I HUN " lAE77 17119 1rf7sl1'
| DICUSSION BETWEEN MESSRS HARRIS AND
HATFON.- SKETH OF THE SPEECHES.

20 nearly every one before him, he Of course could
have no personal claims on them for their votes,
but expected that those who supported him would I
do so from principle.
His first argument was directed to the discussion
Of
THE DISTRIBUTION QUESTION.
which he began BY stating that there are belonging
to the Federal Government near twelve hunuteu
millions os acres Of public lands de INSISTED tnat
citizen of Louisiana or Tennessee has an equal IN
terest and right in these lands with eltzen OF an
Fostern or Northern State; that portion OF these
1-ds vas given 20 the Federal Government by the
original states beginning with New York, Virginia,
Rc and on a stipulation that their proceeds should
srst be applied to the national debt, and the re-
r,ainder to be distributed among all the States both
old and new that part OF these lanas was Pur-
chased from France and Mexico, and paid for or
acquired by the united exertions Of the people Of all
The States Mr. Hatton then said, that ''ifthe Gen
ersI Government agreed that the proceeds OF these
lands, after paying the debts Of the Government,
should be distributed among the States, he would
like for his competitor to explain upon what grounds
a constitutional objection to this course could be
urged?" He was clearly Of opinion that Congress
has power under the Constitution to distribute the
lands among the States eitheir by warrants or scrip
or by locating the land given each State by actual
survey or that the lands may be sold and the pro-
ceeds given to the States; either Of these methods
would answer.
By thisapportionment, Tennessee would be entitled
to thirty millions of acres, which Mr.. HattOn argued
she ought to have for the purpose Of paying her
debts educating her children and paying the cur
rent expenses of goyeTnmentthe salaries OF Judges,
legislators, sc. In support Of Mr.. Hatton's pecu-
liar views, he quoted paragraph from Gen. Jack
sons's fourth annual message to Congress-
Mr. Hatton then charged upon Gen. Harris incOn-
sstency in his present opposition to the distribution
policy; he (Gen Harris, having voted, whilst
member Of Congress, to donate swamp and over
flowed lands to Arkansas and other States.
Mr. Hatton then urged with great warmth as an
iHsuperable objection TO Gen. Harris mode Of dis
posing Of the public lands that the Democratic party
would not sustain him, and that hence his scheme
of Graduation totally impracticable. lie argued
that other States were getting large portions Of the
public lands while Tennessee was getting none-he
insanced Iowa. a State, which he said, ''was filed
with the descendants of the same Hessian sOldieTy
VINO for sixpence per day shot down and butcheTed
with their glittering bayonets our ancestors who
fought and bled for the independce of this country"
And shall we Of Tennessee (said Mr. H. sit quietly
by while these things are going and do nothing
towards getting our share of the lands Our bonds
are now falling due and where else but to the pub
lie lands are we to look for the of their pay
ment?"
Mr. Hatton concluded his argument on this sub
jec by repeating that he did in what shape
ITSELF or its proceeds 1t would in his judgment,
be the means of relieving the people from taxation,
and enable the State to prosecute more extended
works of internal improvements.
Mr.. h. next discussed the question Of
ALIEN SUFFRAGE,
and expressed his utter surprise that Gen. Harris
should think it right that Aliens should have a voice
in the formation of the Territorial Legislatures
He then placed himself in decidedly theatrical
position, and with uplifted hand called upon the
audience to witness that he, Robert Hatton, did
sOlemnly protest against 'his thing, and regarded
it as an iniquity that smells to Heaven.
Mr.. H. then beautifully illustrated his position on
this subject by drawing picture of American
citizen, with wife and ''prattling babes driver
rUthessly from his neat, white cottage gravel walks
and rose bushes; each of which he described criti-
caIy by double-fsted, knock-kneed, uncOutb
Irishman, with an immense shilalah in his hand.
I'VE are satisfied from the style in which this picture
was gotten up that it was not the creature of mo-
ment, but was doubtless the result Of long and in
tense study on the part Of Mr.. H.
Mr.. Hatton proceeded by saying that he was still
of the opinion that there radical defect in
NATURALIZATION LAWS,
and argued with great warmth, that all foreigners
ought stay here at least twenty-one years before
they are allowed to vote: for said Mr. H. with evil
dent feeling, Il had to be here that long before
voted" Mr.. H. expressed great fears that the for
eigners would yet overturn the government, especi
ally with the aid they might expect in this nefari-
Gus undertaking from the
CATHOLICS,
of whom Mr.. H. seems to have very great fears
He announced unhesitatingly that, under no circum
stances, can he be induced TO vote for a Roman
Catholic for Office. Mr.. Hatton embellished his
gument this point with one Of those apt and
ready illustrations with which he appears to abound
90 Daniel O'COnnell, said he, when a member of
the British Parliament, announced that his vote
would be governed by the wish of his Bishop; and
now" said Mr.. H., 3" l appeal TO my distinguished
competitor if he would vote for such man as this?'
Mr.. Hatton said that it Catholics of this class
upon whom the Know NOthings VOuld not confer Of
/ fce-the Catholic who is spiritually and temporarily
bound TO obey the behests of the priesthood. He
| had already induced his opponent admit that he
! would not support a Daniel OConneu Catholic for
! Office
] Mr.. Hatton then arraigned General H. for his
speech in Congress the Missouri Compromise. in
which Gen. H. declared he had no wish to see it o.
| 0Jatsd. Mr.. H. argued from this that it was very
inconsistent in Gen. Harris to favor its repeal and
the passage Of the Kansas Nebraska act and that he
was estopped from assailing those who opposed its
repeal.
! Mr. Hatton dwelt for sometime on his Legislative
record, and confessed that he dsplyased himself
with the operation Of the Assessor Act" for which
he voted, and that he opposed to granting State
aid to any more Railroad Companies except in cases
! of actual necessity.
! Mr. Hatton concluded his hour and a half by g
general summary Of his position and by pledging in
sacred honor of the members of the Know Nothing
party to protect and defend the rights of the sons of
! the soil-the native Americans
Mr.. Hatton made one or two other incidental
| points and illustrations He denied the power of
Congress to distribute the public lands from that
clause in the Constitution which gives to it the right
to make all rules and regulations dispose of the
territory Of the Union and other public property
He also read extract from one of General Jack
sons messages in which he takes the ground that
the public lands should be administered for the pub
lie interest and an extract from a speech of Gov
Brown, of Mississippi, in which he argues adversely
to the doctrine Of Alien Suffrage, in which he says
that foreigners in cities may be led up to the
ballot-box like cattle He was in favor of taking
the proceeds of Tennessees share of the lands and
erecting school houses, where every bright eyed boy
and faxen-haired girl and laughing child in the
State can enjoy the boon of education
Substance Of the Speech Of Gen. Ishau g. Harris Of
Shelby, Democratic candidate for Governor Of Ten
Hsssss, at the City Hail. Memphis, June 3Oh, 1857,
in reply to his competitor, Co.. Ro5t HattoH.
Gen Harris commenced by remarking that Col
Hatton had to-day unfolded a theory Of which all
the sages and statesmen Of our country and of all
other countries had been profoundly ignorant-the
theory Of a Government which could support itself
without laying the burthens Of taxation upon the
people. If Col. H. could only extend his system a
little farther and make the Government capable not
only Of supporting ITSELF Of building railroads. and
Of educating the children Of the land, as he pro-