Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-08-17

Mr with a tendency in its administration to
'increase blessings TO the people and elevate
mn socially, politically, Intellectually and
morally in the scale of being. Nor, did the
parties prescribe each other, but divided tht
general government with no reference to any
thing but qualification and merit?
Now, contrast the present with the past
and it becomes apparent the greatest depart
ure has occurred in the pratice of parties.
the present completely reversing or disregard
ing the examples of the Fathers. Now IN
stead of the good of the whole it is the good
of a section or party that is sought. Vow
instead of honesty and merits being reward
ed by the appointing power, it is trickery,
chioanery and dishonesty that receive the
best places in the gift of the government.
which is now come to be administered
not according to the Constitution and laws
as the oath of Office prescribes, but according
to the platform of Baltimore and Cincinnati
read and interpreted under the influence of
party drill and fear of party expulsion, if not
understood as the Chief understands it. Why
should we wonder that peculation fraud. cor
ruption and extravaganza, rule the day under
such party discipline. To have an honest
and economical administration of the govern
ment we must have an honest and patriotic
party--to have an honest and patriotic party
we mnst have one organized on more liberal
principles than the present. If we have any
other platform than the Constitution it must
IL c,,hS ianta 10 no IN
tion-it must leave the members of the party
free to support the Constitution under oath
and not require them to support party creed
under dread of party anathemas- To expect
uniformity Of views on all subjects and ques-
tons, were such uniformity even desirable, is
absurd-to require it would destroy and blast
at once every hope of New Party. What
then shall be common ground upon which the
opposition shall stand? In answer. say, in
addition to the Constitution, let us plant our
selves and require unanimity alone on such
points as are PALPABLY fair and equitable to
the whole country--such as recognize the
equality Of the States, without controversy.
Let US demand that honesty. faithfulness and
economy be made essential to appointment to
and retention in office.-that the subject of
Slavery in the Territories be left TO the people
when they shall have gained population suf-
iicient to entitle them to one representative
at which time they may adopt State Con-
stitution and be admitted into the Union. Let
a homestead be guaranteed to every actual
settler on the public lands, the same being a
citizen. Let our Nationality and the purity
of the BallOt-BoX be preserved by such legis-
laton time, experience and circumstances
demand, and let orr revenue be raised by
'.judjcious Tariff" Upon all questions of
doubtful expedency or Colstltutionality leave
all free, and responsible alone to the Constitu-
tion as honestly understood and construed by
the proper tribunals. A party thus formed
with simple and fair working organization
to nominate candidates would result in much
good and great Improvement in the Admins
tratiOn of the Government. Freemen could
still be freemen and belong to such party
they would not be required to cover up Fort
Smelling sales and Wilet Point purchases
Party fealty would not require them to vote
against the claims of Harlan, nor for those
of Bright or Fitch. In a word | would
have men act like our Fathers, from honest
convictions and true patriotism. To effect
such an organization let a Convention becall-
ed of the opposition to draft rules for its gov
eminent and name the party, and why not let
it be called in consideration of the many
patriotic and union loving men who now act
with either one or the o her of the two great
political factions, - the Democratic-Repu-
blican-Party.
BEDFORD.