Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-03-19
aHARDsn AND asOFTs. .

u
oy Of Tennessee worked to overcome the Wing ma
iOrity which the first struggle between Democrats
and Wings in this State developed, the epithets Of
Hards" and softs, common in some other
States we're unheard in this We had just as much as
we could do, and little more most occasions, to
beat the Wings without qusrreling among ourselves.
There are great many blessings in big msjority
but as there are thorns among roses, so there are
troubles in the very majorities which we so earn
estly strive to win. The worst Of these troubles
arises from the prevalent idea, that, when party
gets up to about ten thousand majority its members
are privileged to regard fights among themselves on
all sorts Of outside subjects as free things, which
they have right to indulge in on all occasions.
And so, perhaps, they have.
But there is another thing which they have no
right to do They have no right to make new issues
for the party which the party does not make for it.
self, Of local policy. Say, for instance, about
schools: one man believes it right and ezpedient to
tax property for the support Of common schools.
Another man don't believe such taxes either right
or expedient. Very well Each has the right to
his opinions, and may enforce them to the best of
his ability. But neither side may fairly make PO-
Hoal test Of the question because the party itself
has never rendered nor accepted such an issue. My
neighbOr Democrat may not call me " Hard Tor
opposing such tax, nor may call him " SoIt
for advocating it. So of internal improvements by
the State. A Democrat may very honestly believe
it impoitie for the State to in debt in building
turnpikes and railroads He has the right to en-
force his opinions But he has right to read out
Of the Democratic party his neighbOr Democrat,
who giving liberal construction to the internal i'm
provement clause in cur State constitution, fsvOrs
81 State aid" wherever there is call for it. And
90 Of State banks Democrats opposed National
Bank as unconstitutional and inezpedient. 1t was
fairly party question, as the power to make such
a bank had to be derived from that loose construc-
ton Of the Federal Constitution which the Demo
cratic party was originally organized to resist and
it was made party test by National convention.
Not so with State banks. We have never made an
issue with our opponents in this state on the eEPe
diency Of the banking system, or the proper manner
Of managing such institutions. We have differed
among ourselves as much we have differed with
our opponents on these matters. Let give an in
stance and an illustration right here at home. Col
TORBErT and Mr.. EASTMAN, Of this paper, don't
agree al all about banks. Col. TORBETT has always
approved the policy of State Bank and Mr. EAST
NAN has always inaexibly opposed it, Eve don't
mention Mr.. DUNEINGToN, because he is not now in
the city and might not like to have US speak for him
and besides, he has spoken pretty plainly for him
self the few months past) Well: suppose you make
q 8" hard" and soft division in the Democratic
party; then Col. ToRBETT reads Mr.. EASTMAN out
Of the party for being hard, and Mr.. EASTMAN
reads Col. ToRBETT out for being "sOft." And
Schat do make Jyu2
The facts, Mr. EASTMAN knows Col ToRBETT to be
as true q Democratic as ever futtered; and if Col
ToRBErr don't know Mr.. EASTMAN to be another
then he don't know him at all. Wouldn't it be a
very ridiculous thing for us two, who have known
each others sentiments for years, to get up quar-
rel now, and handy the epithets Of &" hard" and
''sof" for the qualification and amusement Of know
nothing spectators. You see, reader, we are not
going to any such foolish thing It is our mission
to maintain the faith of the Democratic party, as laid
down by its authorized opponents, and the ascen-
dency Of that party, and to keep down the know
nothings On matters Of local policy and ezpedi
ency, we will, all proper occasions, frankly and
fearlessy express our opinions, yielding to others
the same rights which We claim. When the party
auhoriativey makes an issue on banks and internal
improvements, then we viii talk for the party on
those subjects. Until then we talk for ourselves.
We don't think any body need be alarmed for the
banks. When it is seen that they can suspend
specie payments on their own discretion, and keep
suspended with entire immunity long as they
please, they certainly don't need organs or defend
ers; and when s think that the people need PrOtec-
ton against them, our position occupying station
where we are required to speak for the people, will
never be questionable.
This talk about "hards' and "softs" is very
ridiculous and absurd, for another reason: that
neither side seems to be hard or soft al 0rsr We
know men who are as hard as adamant on the State
Bank and yet as soft as mush when you come to tie
free banks and the stock banks Others are hard on
thefree and the stock banks and yet s7 the State
Bank. And so It works; and works worse than non
sense always. For our own part, We would be glad
70 see the views of Mr.. Buchanan, in his Message,
universally adopted by legislators We should then
have no trouble.
We hope the Democrats Of the Legislature be-
fore they adjourn, will come to a saving knowledge
Of the folly they have nearly committed, Of read
ing each other out Of the party. It isn't SO easy
matter as some may think it, to read good honest
Democrat who wants to stay in the party, out Off
We have known men make the attempt and the first
thing they knew they were out oft themselves
For us, we are going to continue to print paper
for the Democratic people Of Tennessee particularly,
and for such Know -Nothingsas, showing more than
usual good sense choose to subscribe and pay it.
We have never known, and we never will know,
cliguss in the party. All true Democrats, whether
differing or agreeing with in sentiment on ques-
lions Of State policy, shall have fair play in our
columns As heretofore, we will not make candi-
dates for the party nor become the organ Of "sH.-
The party must make its candidates and then we Will
do all we can for their election. In short, we are
and will continue to be the organ Of the National
Democracy on all questions between the political
parties; and our orH organ matters Of State con
Germ.