Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-05-13
THURSDAY, ............. MAY ID, 1858
Twenty years ago, abolitioni=m was con-

THURSDAY, MAY ID, 1858
Twenty years ago, abolitionism was con-
fined to certain quarters in the non-slavehold-
ing States, having but few followers, and they
miserable fanatics without power and without
influence. 1t was ''little cloud no bigger
than mans hand" upon our political sky,
and attracted no particular attention. A
little later, political demagogues, with the
unrighteous purpose of breaking down their
opponents, introduced the subject into Con-
gress under the guise of rejecting petitions
asking for the abolition of slavery. imme-
diately abolitionism commenced to recruit
additional adherents-the "little cloud" TO
spread and deepen in hue-and from that
time forth anti-slavery fanaticism has been
struggling to attain supreme political power.
1t has gone on from one extreme to another,
until it has discovered churches whose members
North and South, had long lived in the happlest
relations social and religious, blessed OF Heav-
en-, and challenging the good will OF all men.
1t has debauched the pulpit of the non-slave-
holding States, and reduced the ministry to
the debased condition of mere panderers to
fanaticism. 1t has stolen into the councils OF
political parules, corrupted their leaders, and
lured large portions of the masses into the
worship of the Ebon Image, around whose
shrine it shames manhood by performing de-
grading rites 1t has broken and scattered
the old conservative Wing party, and is fast
performing the same officefor the democracy.
Under its poisonous influences, the American
party, which arose SO resplendently and pro-
missed so much of good to the country, with
cred ere it reached its prime And in 1856,
it had nearly reached the zenith of its aspira-
tions. Its success then has but infamed its
zeal. inspired it with new hopes, and ANNA
ted it with new courage. 1t has also become
more wary, and seeks now to profit by the
mistakes of that campaign.
That this is a true, though brief, sketch of
the progress of abolitionism- its vari-
Gus guises-will be denied by none. Weneed
not refer to the criminal partisan intrigues of
the democracy which have aided to build 1t up,
until its colossal proportions cast baleful
shadow upon the whole land. We are dealing
simply with the fact that abOlitionism has
grown, in less than a quarter century, from
grasping with fair chances of success. at the |
reins of government, and do not propose to
enter into the reasons for this startling growth
Having attained these proportions, and con-
sciOus of its strengthening spread its nets, |
and assured of its game-is it probable that |
abolitionism will now withdraw the least of |
its pretensions? With its past history, and its
hof i -
rational to expect it to abate zone jot or tit
tle'' of its purposes? AS well might we ex-
pect pity of the ruthless tornado in its devas-
tating sweep. No, no! abolitionism has to be
met and throttled. 1t has entered the lists
and challenges an encounter. 1t must be
slain, or the constitution of our common
country given up spoil. We cannot escape
the issue, if we would. Forced upon us, it
must be met. There can be no truce-no
parley.
Looking over the field, and finding things
in this condition, we must confess that we are
astonished to find among our trusty walters
upon Providence, those who think there can
be, and ought to be, Reconstruction, or refer
nation of the lines of battle. We shall not
assume that these hopeful spirits are either
frightened at the probable result of the bat
tie, or desire to ally themselves with the COM
mon enemy of the South. We think, howev-
er, from all the lights before us, that their
counsels are impolitc. Americans can serve
their country best by standing their ground,
and keeping their colors flying. The Ameri-
can flag, with its bright stars and beautiful
stripes, unsullied by counter stripe of any
hue, is the flag for us at least. We are neith-
er weary of it, nor of American principles.
On the contrary, amidst all the gloom which
hangs over the country, they stand out like
bright constellation giving us hope and en-
Let others do as they please,
go where they list, and ally themselves with
whom they may, we purpose to maintain our
p ostion as Americans, to keep our party and
its principles separate and distinct, a nucleus
around which all who cling to the Constitu-
ton and would deprive no part of the people
Of the rights it guarantees to them, may gath
er for safety as the storm progresses. We be-
lieve the great body of the American party I
will stand with us, for potent as Abolitionism
has become, we do not believe with Mr.. SEW
ARD, when he announced on the 30th day of
last April, to Southern men in the Senate ;
Chamber" At last ne10 U0ice issues from your
o,cn region from THE South, from the Stare !
Z States, and protests against your further per-
siseyace IN this mad enterprise (of extending stare
: ry) and admonisies you that must and WiH fail.
The cohorts are gathering IN THE SOUTH; The men !
Of moderation and Conservatism, tCho they hare
a HERETOFORE MODERATED IN Favor OF SLAVE !
q RY AGAINST FREEDOM, tciH no,c be obliged IN 4.
consistency tcih their Just and scett-estdbiiShed
character, and their habitual patriotism, 10 MOD
ERATE AGAINST you IN FAVOR OF FREEDOM, c
AND RISE UP UNANIMOUSLY AGAINST
Slavery We believe that this is Ii
Del upon the moderation and conservatism" t
If the American party, if not of other parties, !
md that we shall see them rallied under our !,
'wn standards, spurning Mr.. SEWARD, and all v
# his class, who like him would pour the
eprous distillments" of iniquity into their
ars, and tempt them from their duty. Such
s our faith, and upon it we shall be content to
'est our cause. q
The Central Route Between New Or ,