Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-02-03

Our columns today are filed with COM
munications which indicate that our Amer
lean friends are preparing for the August
elections. Their principal reference is to
men, and each one brings forward capa-
BILE and worthy candidate; but we are
gratifed to witness that the proper spirit
is manifested, and that while contrariety
of opinion exists as to the most proper and
available men, there is no disposition to
force the claims of any one. This is most
eommendable, and we trust the feeling may
continue to animate our people, and that
the example may be followed in every con-
gressional, senatorial, and representative
district in the State.
The history of political and party con-
tests does not present an occasion which
more imperatively demanded unity and con-
cert Of action, and universal brotherhood
of feeling than do the elections of this
year require them at the hands of the
American party. There is the strongest
evidence to believe that with such an effort
as can be made, we will be able to secure
the Governorship, and a majority of the
congressional delegation, and of each House
of the General Assembly, and by the lat
ter to secure the vacant seat in the United
States Senate. These are high stakes,
involving, if won, consequences reaching
far into the future, and we ask if there is
a man, or a clique, bent on private objects,
or body of personal friends, in any quar-
ter of the State, so devotedly attached to
the preferment of any man, that they viii
obstinately and wilfully jeopardize our
chances for success We do not believe
there is, but beseech our friends every
where to beware how they permit their
feelings to become enlisted in these per
sonal matters; and warn them Of the dis
astrous consequences which may follow in
their train.
1t is the policy and the duty Of the
American party to make this election a
contest for principles, and to discard all
extraneous aud impertinent issues. BY
superior skill and strategy the opposition
have always gained the advantage upon
such points, and profted by personal divi-
sions among our prominent men. 1t should
be the aim Of every county or district con.
vention, and of the State convention which
assemblies in behalf Of the American party
to reconcile every difference, and to CON-
nit itself 10 no action or course of policy
without being assured that it cannot be
used to their detriment In a word if we
expect TO succeed we must establish and
rigidly preserve a correct and wholesome
party discipline. To effect this requires
sacrifice and concession, and appeals Of
this sort cannot be too often or too earn
estly made.
BY an adroit and successful man@uvre
last year We were largely defeated By the
discussion Of a delicate and embarrassing
question, coupled with inhammatOry appeals
TO sectional prejudice, and by painting ia
isrrorens the imminence Of great danger
to the institutions Of the South, thousands
of men who own no afiliation with our OPP
ponents were Heightened into the support
o. their candidates. The convenient catch
words afforded by hat question win not
avail them this year. The public mind can
not be diverted from the main issue, il We
do our daty. By an artfully cOncoeted
and Simultaneous effort Of the democratic
party througbuut the Union they have been
able TO use the slavery question as petard
by which 70 hoist themselves into power,
but il Is too cumbrous aud unpieldy for .
state contest, and although We suspect 40
attempt will be made 70 lag quessiols
growing ont Of il into the approaching ear.
vans Il win not be successful Slavery ag-
ltallon---the mastercharm Of democracy