Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-11-02
Douglas and the southern Democracy

Douglas and the Southern DemOcracy'
The recent comments Of the Know Nothing press
relative to the position of Southern Democrats to
wards DOUGLAS IN his presentcontest with LIEooLE,
are calculated to mislead the public and do gross
violence to those concerned Those who, regarding
LINCOLN as the champion of AbOitionism proper, in
Illinois, and as the representative Of everything IN
direct antag aus to Democracy, have expressed de
sire for the success Of DOUGLAS in thepartcuar issue
now pending, have been characterized and spoken
Of in such manner as to convey the impression
that they are friendly to DOUGLAS beyond this
even to justification or excuse Of bisrecent course
upon the Kansas issue. AID his coarse and unWar-
rantable assault upon the present Administration.
Such, we say has been the tendency Of the comments
and structures Of the KnOw-NOthiDg press.
A erosser error was never committed If there
is man in the State of Tennessee, deserving to be
called Demoe1at who occupied any such position
towards Mr. DoUGLAs, we do not know him, and
trust we may never know bin. And yet there are
number Of emoorats-oureelyes not Included
who, while sympathizing with DOUGLAS as the OppO.
nent Of the Abolition LIEooLE, have positive dis
like and hostility to DOUGLAS az the bitter enemy Of
the present Administration and the leader of the
anti -LeoOmptOn forces in the last Congress.
The distinction is plain and simple one; and
though we do not accord with those who choose to
waste any sympathy in such a contest, we can see
no reason Why their positions should be misrep-
resented, and the injustice done them, and the
Stale Of classifying them as the friends of DOUG-
LAS In his treason against the South and his une
natural warfare against his own party. With the
exception of HENRY A. WISE, whom we look upon
with more distrust than Mr. DOUGLAS himself we
know of no prominent Southern Democrat, recOg-
nized by the party, whose sympathy in this matter
extends beyond the issue now pending in Illinois.
If our Know Nothing adversaries know of any
others, We trust they will inform us who they are
The Successor of Hon. James L. Orr.
Mr.. Ora the present popular and able speaker Of
the House Of Representatives having declined re-
nomination, Col joan D AsHMoRB has been elected
his successor. The Anderson Is. C Gazette speaks
of Col AsHMoRB as follows:
Col John Ashmore as the majority of our
readers know, was born in GreenvilIe district and
lived there until about the sge of fourteen years,
when he went to Pendelon. aud became a clerk, we
think for finn still existing there. He afterwards
left this district. and locating in Sumter district,
pursued the study Of law.
Soon after being admitted TO the practice OF law he
married At an early age. the citizens of Sumter
sem him represent them in the lower branch of the
legislature which position they repeatedly assigned
him and which be filed with marked and consum
male ability. For several years, although young
member be was chairman Of way d means, The
most imyor ant committee OF the house In 1853 he
vas Ell ce by the legislature the responsible Office
or comptroller general of the State, Inc duties of
which he discharged with admirable ness and
correct understanding. In 1854 be removed HIS
family TO cur Town. bought lands feW miles N the
country and while completing the term Of his flee,
pursued a. the time the vocation Of a farmer
10 which we have heard his immediate neighb yrs
AYR he vas most successful
As n politician be has ever upheld the principles
of pure CONSISTENT Jefers Man dem1crscy In
1851 be was a co operaiOnist and during he ecen
canvass he has repeatedly declared him-tlf State
rights democrat, ami willing to support he present
OF nizariun Of the democratic part believing il to
he the only rei4ble party In the Union In all re-
spects 70 far as we nave heard his speeches. we zee
lule difference between bis political creed aud hat
of our present repres, awe Col A is fearless in
the expression of his views, a ready dehater, and
possessed Of that energy and force of character which
foreshadow The working and useful member.
In person, Col AshmOre is above the medium
height commanding figure, dark hair. and black,
piercing e. es AfaFle and courteous IN manners,
be speedily wins the affections of his fellOw-men,
aud heir admiration OF him, where best known,
amounts to enthusiasm As public speaker, he
has gallant dashing style that interests hehearer,
and asserts that he is lmbued with the true graces
Of 0ratory.
We predict for Col Ashmore sn honored career in
the federal legislature.