Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-05-02
THE KNOW NOTHING CONVENTION AND THEIR
NOMINEE

NOMINEE.
The proceedings Of this remarkable body, which
assembled in our city yesterday, resulted in the.
nomination Of BoB'T HATToS, Esq, of Wilson, as
their candidate for Governor. As strange as the
result may seem, we are not surprised. Nothing
that the Know Nothing party could do, under exist
ing circumstances would surprise US. How Mr.
HATTUS happened to be nominated, is philOsOphic
inquiry, suggestive Of the condition Of his party
Notwithstanding there seemed to be number Of en-
bryo statesmen from John Smith down, seeking the
position, we are constrained to admit that IN tins
single instance the officer hunting candidate
If there is county in the State that had IN
structed their delegates to vote for Mr. HATToN, we
have not heard Of it. As the nominating commit
tee were appointed howeyer-as we learned from
the gentleman who moved its appointment-with
the purpose Of rejecting the views Of the people,
we suppose Mr. HATToN is the choice Of his party
The fact may have BEEN and we are inclined to that
opinion, that the question was not so much who
should be nominated, as who could be induced 10
take IT, that would at all approach to the standard of
candidate for Governor If their party are salts
fed. we are sure the democracy will be.
Mr. HATToN is a respectable gentleman and
young lawyer Of fair position at the bar. In 1852
he was the Scott slector for the fifth Congressional
district In the Know Nothing excitement Of 1855
he ran for the Legislature in Wilson county and was
elected. Byreferenee to the House Journal of that
session it Will be found that he voted for every OBJ
noxious proposition and reckless expenditure Of
money that came up. This, we suppose is correct
indication Of the State PsGcy that he would recon-
mendif elected Governor.
If the Know Nothing party ara pleased with their
nominee, they may tender a reasonable share Of
their thanks to the Hon CHARLES READY, in refu-
sing to recognise Mr.. HATTONs claims as an aspi-
rant for Congress. His recent strenuous efforts to
supercede that gentleman as candidate for Con-
ress and his signal defeat is fresh in the minds Of
cur readers.
The nomination was by no means harmonious and
satisfactory, as the indications in the Convention
clearly testified. Gen. HASKELL and his friends
were particularly dispeased Afaint call having beeu
made on Gen. QUARLEs to address the Convention;
that gentleman assembled the stand when afgeneraI
cry was raised throughout the house for HASKELL
Amidst Of the enthusiastic shouts the disappointed
aspirant assembled the stand. Gen. QUARLEs stood
agbast, and as HASKELL proceeded to address the
meeting, fell into the back ground to await his time
Gen. HASKELL said that he had devoted his youth
and his manhood to the service of his party
that he had sacrificed his time his money and his
profession to their cause-that whenever there was
q struggle to be made-whenever there were blows
to be given and receiyed-whenever there was hard
service to be performed he had been invited to the
charge and had always answered to the call. For
these services be had been eu!ogsed by the press
and received with ovaons and honors by the people,
and that if empty praise and compliments of this
character were meet reward for the sacrifices he had
made, he had been fully satisfied.
But, said Gen. H., when substantial honOrs were to
be distributed others had been their recipients and
not himself He did not doubt but the hearts of the
masses were with him, and that if their voices could
have been fairly reflected in the convention, he
would have received the nomination. But he had
been trcked out Of it by intrigue, and that, while
he should support the nominee, he was not bound
to forget the iutriguers No unkindness Of this
character could drive him into the ranks Of the enc
my. He had always opposed them and would op-
pose them still The feeling Of the convention was
eyidenGywith Gen. HASKELL, and was given vent to
in frequent interruptions Of applause during the
delivery Of his speech The uusympathising pOr-
ton looked forlorn and gloomy. We could but sym
pathise with the unhappy condition Of the meeting
and reflect how appropriate would be that good old
hymn:
q / would not live always, I ask not to stay,
Where cloud aftcrcl0ud rises dark Ter the way.
The few lurid mornings that dawn US here,
Are enough Of LIES woes, and full enough for its
cheer.
Gen. HASKELL having concluded, Gen. QUARIEs,
Jos. G. PICKETT, Esq, and JACOB HOLLAND, Esq,
were permitted to occupy the stand. We regret we
have not time to give synopsis Of their remarks.
a committee having been appointed to wait on
Mr. HATToN and introduce him to the Convention,
that gentleman made his appearance and being in
troduced by Col. MILTON a. HAYNES, returned his
sincere thanks for the honor conferred His re-
marks were brief and contained but little approve
or censure. The Hon. JOHN BELL, Hon. NEIL S.
BRowS and Hon. CHARLES READY were present, hut
said nothing.
~ We have endeavored to give fair and impartial
reflection Of this convention. If in any particular
we have done the least injustice, shall be happy
to make the necessary correction. Several interest
ing incidents are omitted in the hurry Of getting
eur paper to press.