Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-10-30
The president and the Virginia De-
Inocrscy.l

WISE was one Of Mr.. BUCHANAN's most active
and powerful supporters, for rfe Cincinnati
nomination, and previon. to the Lecompton
controversy, favorite adviser and counselor
Mr.. HUNTER was spoken of as probable
member of the Cabinet, but he preferred to
remain in the Senate, where he has given the
President his support But. at this time. the
indications are that neither of these heads OF
the Virginia Democracy are satisfied with the
Administration. The war upon DOUGLAS is
the cause Of their dissatisfaction. Mr.. WISE,
in his letter to the Democratic State Central
Committee of Illinois, speaks for himself He
does not appear to have any desire to tolerate
the "tyrannical prescription" of the Presi-
dent, as exercised "foolishly and wickedly"
on the Douglas men of Illinois. We presume
Mr.. WISE but speaks the sentiments of those
who adhere to his fortunes. Mr.. HUNTER has
not yet spoken himself; but the South. which
belongs to his wing of the Democracy, and
the ablest journal in Virginia on that side, in
an article, which republsh below, speaks
plainly and very decidedly. The South has
not been disposed to shield any Of Mr.. DoUG-
LASS heresies, but has condemned them con-
sistently and honestly. 1t does not now in
terpose to protect the Little Giant" In its
opinion the war upon DOUGLAS has assumed
an aspect so grave az to sink the individual
or political merits of both DOUGLAS and the
President. Such at least is our deduction
from its rema ks. State Rights-State Sove-
reignty-have been invaded by the President,
and the South, as a trusty sentinel, sounds the
alarm. We commend what it says. to the at
tention of our readers. 1t is pleasant to con-
template the fact disclosed by the course of
the South, that there is still alive in the
"Old Dominion" some of the old spirit of
liberty. which dared TO confront power and
rebuke tyranny.
We append the article OF the South pre-
ceded by an extract from the letter of Gov.
Wise:
VOICE OF Mr. WISE
In letter dated Richmond, Oct 13 1858,
addressed to the Chairman of the Democratic
Central Committee of Illinois, Mr.. WISE
says
DEAR SIR: I cannot express TO you the emo
tions of my bosom, excited by your appeal to
me for aid in the warm contest which your
noble ID mOcracy is waGing with Abolition
ISM Every impulse prompts me to rush to
your side Your position is a grand one. and
in some respects uneXamplod. In the face of
doubt and disrust attempted to be thrown
upon your Democracy, and its gallant leader,
by the pteteXt Of prctenders that you were
| giving aid and comfort to the arch enemy of
our country, peace and safety, aud our party
integrity i See you standing slone-isolated In
rYRANNICAL PRESCRIPTION, tchich tpotd allie fool
ishly and ,ccedly Top of one of The most rigorous
limbs Of national Democracy, the limb of glorious
Illinois!
The Richmond South of October 25th, has
| the following article:
JUDGE DOUGLAS AND THE ADMINISTRATION
| It is reported without contradiction, that the
. President has gullotined a number of Demo-
cratic officials in Illinois, in partial execution
of an avowed purpose to employ all the agency
Of the Federal Government for the defeat of
Senator DoUGLAs. If this rumor be true, we
apprehend the Administration are pushing the
principle of retaliation beyond the sympathies
of the State-Rights Democracy.
When Mr.. DOUGLAS SO far lapsed from the
line of duty to cooperate with the Opposi-
tion in antagonism TO the settled policy of the
Party. the Administration were bound to ex-
ert every effort TO overcome his resistance
Hence, in the crisis Of the Kansas controver-
sy, Southern Senators administered sharp
rebuke to their refractory associate. For |
Yourselves. we declared our disapprobation of |
Mr.. DoUGLAs's conduct in terms of at least |
sufficient severity; and we believe the Demo- |
cracy of the South unanimously sustained the |
administration in the attempt to subdue his |
characterization. At one moment his position |
WAS so equivocal, that many persons appre-
hended his detection to the Black Republican |
ranks. We were of the number; and il was
because of the suspicion of his good faith that
We were reluctant to extend him any indul-
gence.
The passage of the Conference bill was pro
laimed a final settlement of the Kansas con-
roversy not only in the sense that il opera
ed Punishment of the issue from the theatre
IF Federal politics, but ia its more important
fleet as involving reconciliation Of the
euds which had broken the peace and the
lower of the Democratic party. With this
romise the measure propitiated great many |
eople who could not approve all its provi-
Nons. In this spirit it was accepted by the
Democracy OF Virginia. We at once dis
arded the Kansas question "extinct
sue" and proposed truce with the oppo-
ents of the i.ecOmpton Constitution.
If il be affirmed that Mr.. DOUGLAS first vi
Ated the conditions of the armistice, we
i'll not undertake to deny the accusation |
Then he returned to his constituents with an | ,
ppeal for their support, nothing was more |
atural than that he should attempt a justiii-
alton of his course. Nay, If in the excite
ent of a canvass in which quarter was {
Either asked nor given, he was BETRAYED |
10 a reflection upon his adversaries, surely
e indiscretion is not without apology On |
e other hand. II was point of honor with
e advocates of the Lecompton Constitution q
repel bis attacks aud To protest against the I
ror of his doctrine. The adherents of the :
ADMINISTRATION. too, were clearly justifiabie
defending the Executive policy; and; the Q
ly matter of debate Is, whether they have Z
earrii ~ the war nnon Dnr..I IN |
IRENE which is equally Incompatible with :
lad principle and iuiInical to the interests
the party. rsI -.- -f 1
n respect of the latter point of the inquiry b
presume there are not two opinions among 81
Democracy. The resuk u tie recent elections !,
he North attests Che folly II che teud bei,eee,s u
lge D0Hgils and The Administrations The b
certainty ut the issue in New York and | u
nois warrants an apprehension that the :
ortunate controversy is still pregnant with !,
sster to the Democracy. The apologisis of
Administration, however, mIy contend a
Mr.. DOUGLAS shall bear an equal proper
of blame for the continuance OF the :.
sm.
is possible that Mr.. BUCHANAN had the 8
rotation cf the party up To this point ia n
controversy with Judge DoCGtAs. But | 4
he resolved % esarley che immense machinery
Erecatue patronage % crash soiitprs ud,- =
4, he peR5Rred apoa an experiment. Whtch could
dit 10 1a0ck The scasf0hafes ~ NE ptsotie ana |
ae hepopetrr strap4thies IN belatf Of his adj
~. In contemplating she inequality Of
ontest, the merits of the eaase were for o
"a: and the generous impulses Of the s.
lie were propifiated by the heroic exer- !.
of gallant spirit struggling against
whelming odds
II this may he thought mere matter OF
iiency, which affects only thu. interests of +
Administration. In another and more q
rtant aspect the indiscretion of the Pres ! :.
will be admitted To iavolve dangerous
ration on the rights of the State. =
election OF Senator h tue highest exer-