Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-05-20
How fare. the Unionf

How fares the Unionf
During the final heated struggle which is to
take place between the friends and enemies of
the Union, this may be q pertinent and alb
sorbing inquiry. We trust "all's wellr will
be perpetually the cheering response of its
friends. We have faith in the virtue and in
telligence of the people, and confidence in the
Union and its continuance. The problem is
approaching its solution. Not a great while
hence we must have final settlement of the
disturbing elements; we must have repose.
We cannot always discuss questions of differ
ence; there must be a conclusion. But in the
meantime how fares the Union just now? The
recent struggle has written it's instruction.
1t is now for the people to read it and see how
far they have progressed and in what direc-
ton. The main facts developed are that there
exists two very strong factions holding ex-
treme views precisely opposite to each other,
but both equally at war with the integrity
and safety of the Union. They are the high
er-law men and the secessionists. One feeling
that they are strong enough to override the
ly weaker, are determined to be equally effec-
tive in the work of breaking down the Union,
by seeding from it. These are the true and
undisguised enemies of the Union. And tire
mains to be seen whether there is a sufficient
body on the middle ground hailing both from
the North and the South, to protect the con-
stitution from this double assault If so calls
WE'LL" if not, we had as well consider of the
terms of separation.
But taking for granted what we imagine
needs no proof, that the conservative senti-
ment Of the country is sufficient for its pro-
lection, how shall it be embodied, how united
and brought into efficient service? 1t must
have one voice, or it must perish. 1t cannot
speak through the mouth of black republican,
ism-bccause that aims a blow at the consti-
tuition, in its first and only leading tenet, that
no more slave States shall enter the Union
This at once destroys the equal rights of the
States one of the foundation ideas of the Fed
cral compact. There can be no substantial
union among the States where there is inc
quality. The territories, as such, are the COM
mon property of all the States-and the cit-
zens of each have equal rights with the citi-
zens of all the rest, in their occupation and
enjoyment. They enter them on footing of
perfect equality-they may carry their prop
erty with them, matter in what that prop
erty consists, and no lawful authority can for
bid them. This is the bond of the Union, and
if it is forfeited, the Union is forfeited. 1t is
idle, therefore, to think of relying on the |
black republicans to'express the conservative |
sentiment which is to beat back and triumph |
over the fell spirit of the higher law heretics
There can be not even a lasting coalition or
alliance between them; they are radically an
tagonistic and destructive of each other.
Nor can this voice speak through the mouth
of democracy. The Secessionists are the head |
and front of the democracy. 1t is coming to
be a part of the creed of the democratic |
party, as at present organized. 0fcourse all
democrats are not secessionists any more
than all the people OF the North are higher
law men. Bnt the secessionists are colaborers !
with democracy; their leaders are from that |
party, and SO also their followers; they have
strength and influence in that party, and have
already made it, at the South, sectional, al
most to fanaticism. There is now scarcely
secessionist in all the South, who was not a |
supporter of Mr. BUCHANAN. They carry ON
their warfare from the very midst of that |
party; draw their recruits from it, thunder
their anathemas against the Union from its
highest places and are as much identified
with it as the higher-law men are with the
black republicans 1t is against these that
the battle for the Union is to be fought-no
coalition, no alliance with them is possible.
The American is the only other party in
the country, that presents a banner under
which the patriotic men from all sections can
rally and march to the rescue. 1t has always
been national and conservative in spirit and
principle. Because it has sought to hold the
'cales even between the sections. to uplift the
constitution above the heads of the higher
aw men, and to put its feet npon the necks
Of secessionists, it has been alike the target
or the shafts Of both. 1t still bears aloft its
ensign, and beckons the masses back TO a ma
.ionality of feeling and action. The people
must come to it at last, or the Republic must
come to nothing. In the disintegration of
,uties which is now going on SO palpably
md so rapidly, let Americans stand firm; let
hem reiterate their vows, and hold fast to the
egacy which they have from noble Ameri-
an ancestry-it is the Union, it is priceless
ct them turn deaf ear to the black republic
ans and the secessionists, and there is hope
or them, and for the country.