Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-12-24
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From the Memphis Bulletin.
TO THE TRUE "wHIGS" OF Shell
BY COUNTY AND OF TENNESSEE.

TO THE TRUE "WHIGS" OF Shell
BYCoUNTY AND OF TENNESSEE.
We address you by this venerable nomen-
clature because it is one by which we have
ever, in such participation as we have had
with the politics of the country, known
that we we're designating a class of men
in which patriotism was paramount to the
spirit of Party;-a class of men in whose
bosoms there glowed the calm and steady
but intense sentiment of Amertcantsm, as
contra distinguished from that which was
not SO, either in principle or III Legislative
policy;-a class Of men who, valuing at its
true. worth the wisdom of the sages and
heroes who founded the Republic and ce-
mented its foundation stones with their
blood, were chary to make rash expert
mental departures from the lines they had
chalked out for our national career;-a
class of men who, receiving with filial af-
fection their political doctrines from
WASHINGTON ond his most trusted associ-
ates, have "kept the faith as handed down
and expounded to them by the CLAYs and
WEBsTERs of their own day;-a class Of
men, in short, who, by whatever name des-
ignated, now or heretofore, were but few
years ago found in solid phalanx together,
talking, writing, voting in one way on the
side of the Country, where-ever misgov-
erument had endangered its prosperity, or
political heresy threatened to impair its
stability. 1t is to these, our old and con
slant associates in many hardl ly-contest-
ed political struggle, and to such as these
those who, discarding all minor or trans
itory differences, cling with unaltered at
tachment to the one faith, the one sole as
piration, the single hope for the solid and
permanent good Of the Republic, which
distinguished the old Wing Party-that
we now address ourselves. The aspect Of
the times demands it, and the past devo
ton to the cause recorded in an editorial
career of twenty years, which no miscon-
ception can blur, no malicious and inter
ested misrepresentation obiterate, warrants
it. We-an unchanged and unfaltering
conservative Whig-desire to take coun-
sci with and lend hearty cooperation to
the efforts of those who, at heart still Of
the same faith, would arrest the rodicGi
tendencies and eradicate the corruptons
infused into the body polite by the domi-
mating parties Of the day.
What is the state of political affairs YOU
are called upon to heal? In the Nation
we find victorious party, charged with
the high responsibility of administering
the government on national rather than
sectional grounds-entrusted with that
lofty mission in great part through yonr
suffrages-torn and distracted with mere
personaI feuds between its rival chieftans.
No longer homogeneous as party of well
defined political principles and clearly an
nounced legislative measures, the aspira-
tions of individual and the passions of
geographical sections fill the political are
9a marked out by it, and give occupation
70 those who direct its destinies. AS if to
give an unacceptable demonstration that
men not measures, is the governing consid-
Grafton. and thus to destroy all confidence
in it's future management OF the permN mt
interests of the country, the spectacle has
been but recently presented of a Demo
cratic Administration exerting its whole
mower and influence to defeat one ofits
ablest and most patriotic dherents-thus
ngiying aid and comfoLt" to the demon VI
Sectionalism--andt that, too, while he wa
battling with the monster fairly and square
Iy. plumb upon one Of the most prominen
planks in the "platform" of principles up
ON which that Administration was raised
to power Everywhere throughout th
land, not only is It manifest that the odi
GUS doctrine of "to the victors belong tn
spoils" is acted upon, but that entire dem
ocratic camp is in state Of mutiny AM
insubordination from the rivalries, jeal
ousies and animosities between the rictor
themselves. Ifperfect honesty of purpos
and entire soundness of policy were con
.ceded to it, it is palpable that, under it
present internal disorganization, tits Who'll
" ,uureliable to guard the country fror
the evils which threaten it.
On the other hand, the demon of Sec
tionalisn, taking hope from this saturna
liza of the party claiming to be and hereto
fore trusted by the people as nationa
rears again its front both North and South
and by its horrid Kissing adds to the cor
fusion, while it awakens fresh alarms /
the minds of all who would wish to Sc
the country well governed peaceful an
united.
Descending from the arena of nation;
politics, there is little less to justify ''sc
rene indifference" on the part of tru
WHIos, and conservative men general.
on the theatre of our local State affair
Here, too, intoxicated by the ascendenc
given it by the dispersion of the wings (
Tennessee, the democratic party has give
itself up to intestine broils, and is threa
ened with becoming the prey of persons
ambition and radical experimentsu
Stained as is already the heretofore fair e.
cutcheon Of our proud State by the dan
ming shame Of stupendous but unpunisl
ed populations in high places the indies
tions now are that ske is to be drifted fro
her ancient moorings on a stream of foo
isk aud uucslled for innovation upon Il