Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-07-22

WEDNESDAY, JULY %, 1857.


me Democracy and Alien Suffrage.
The question whether the subjects of for
eign governments shall be not only allowed
out encouraged to come into this country, and
assume all the high franchises of the native
born citizen, both in the States and terrific
RES, is one of immense moment, not only to
Tennessee, but to the whole Union. In their
insane lust for power and plumber, some of the
more reckless leaders of modern sham democ-
racy, have avOwed the affirmative of this pro-
position. But we are happy to know and be-
lieVe that some, indeed, comparatively many
of the purer and better and more conscien-
tious men of that party, who hold high and re-
sponsible places in the government, and the
majority Of the rejecting rank and file of the
party, spuru the doctrine with all their hearts.
We saw a noble and gratifying exhibition of
this fact, in the Senate of the United States,
whilst the Minnesota Territorial bill was IN
der discussion when Briggs, Brown, BAYARD,
CLAY, DAVIS, RUsK, and others threw them
selves into the breach to shield the country
and the Constitution of the country from such
monstrous doctrines. 1t was truly gratifying
spectacle for the native son of the land, of
whatever party, to behold. But that meas
nre, the faVorite one of the abolitionists, hav-
ing in this instance, the UNANIMOUSLY notorious
HALE, as its champion. This result was as
Notifying to native democrats, as it was TO
the members of the American party Espe-
Gially was this the case in the South, where the
people and their representatives feel deep in
terest in staying this mighty freesoil tide.
In view Of these facts, we were astonished
to find Gen. HARRIS taking his position openly
and boldly in favor Of Alien Suffrage in the
territories, and the power of States to make
voters of them upon the day of their arrival
upon our shores, in direct antagCnism to what
we are persuaded is the settled sentiment of
his party in Tennessee; it is certainly in con-
ffct with the conservative sentiment of that
party of which he claims the support, as evil
denced both by the discussions and vote on the
Minnesota bill above referred to. Gen. HAIR
RS has staked much upon this subject; he has
entered into long and labored arguments to
Justify his position, and has made it one of the
leading points in the canvass. We apprehend
that the public mind has not undergone much
change, however, through his defence of it.
We cannot yet believe that native American
citizens, properly imbued with devoted love
of their country, and feeling just pride in our
institutions, can so easily consent to share their
rights and Prerogatives, with the off,courings
of foreign governments. And if we are not
mistaken in this opinion, we desire to pro-
have indicated, if they are willing to cast their
5utPrages for one who is defaptly tramplng
their honest convictions and principles under
oot2 Are you willing to condemn such men.
rue and tried of your party, as we have nam |
ID, as well as to forego your own principles. |
merely to elevate temporarily, Gen HARRIS |
o the GovernOrship2 If this were one of the
veil known landmarks of your party, and had
he sanction Of your purest leaders, we should
lot ask you to ignore it. But it is not such.
t is the peculiar view Of a few of your leaders.
nd as we sincerely believe of but an insignifi
ant minority of your party. 1t is therefore
% waiver of your democracy, to vote and
nough to advocateit. In voting against Gen.
iARRIs on this score, you but emphasize your
democracy, by acting N concert with the ex-
ressed opinions Of some of the greatest and
'est men of the democratic party. If you de-
pise the doctrine, how can it be that you sup
ort its advocate? Can you compromise your
Judgment and sacrifice your principles, when
very feeling of your nature and every impulse
an elevated patriotism impel you to a diff
aren't course2