Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-11-05
State Convention of the Opposition
TO sham Democracy I'm Tennessee.

State Convention of the Opposition
TO sham Democracy I'm Tennessee.
Prompted by desire to see she opposition
to the sham democracy taking steps for an
early and efficient organization. and a thor
ough canvass of the whole State next year,
and having, vsinly, waited for the initiative
Recommendation to come from some other
quarter, we, last week, suggested State Com
vention to be held in this City on the 22d day
OF February next. In naming this early day.
we remembered too that the sham democracy
expect to hold their State Convention on the
9Th OF January. and that in almost all former
canvasses in which the opposition have been
successful, they were in the field with their
candidate for Governor early. 1t is of the
greatest Importance to the opposition-more
important row than on former occasions-if
r they desire to cut down the enemy, to begin
the work of preparation. organize. and have
their candidates in the field, as soon as pos
sible. Without long and most vigorous con-
test, there can be but little hope of accom-
plishing much. If the enemy is allowed, I'M
challenged and unmet. to occupy the field,
and entrench and fortify his position, before
we begin to marshal our forces, we need not
expect any good result. The opposition in
Kentucky, regarding these considerations,
have already agreed upon State Convention
on the day we proposed, in this State, and are
apparently glad of the opportunity to begin
the good work. The opposition in Tennessee
would do well. we are persuaded, 10 initiate
the example of their Kentucky friends. Last
year the opposition in this State made mis-
take in delaying action-and by so doing pre-
vented organization and imposed upon their
candidate for Governor entirely too much
I ,bor-a load of work which bat few men could
perform and survive. Our gallant standard
bearer, HATTON, was literally worn out by the
excessive fatigues he underwent for a party
fighting without discipline We must not
throw similar amount of work upon any
one again und' such circumstances. And if
it be expected of our candidate to canvass
the State next year. il Ought to he done,
there is no way Of avoiding Overwork than by
an early start. These are some of the cOns-
lerations which move us. We have no line
OF policy to propose to the Convention. We
wish to hear the old sachems. and the young
soldiers and to counsel with them. We de-
sire to elevate no man, or set of men-we
have no war to make upon any one who acts
with the opposition.
We have rPcurred to this sabject again,
because we find that the Republican Banner. of
yesterday takes position against the meeting
of State Convention on the 22d of Februa-
ry, and indeed. against naming any time for
snch a Convention. The reasons which bring
our respected colaborer to these conclusions
are thus given.
We regret exceedingly the necessity of
differing with our esteemed neighbor, even in
regard to a matter of policy, but we must
confess that we cannot see the propriety. at
this early day. even of designating future
occasion for such a meeting. We see nothing
TO be gained by haste under the circumstan-
ces. The next meeting of Congress opens in
December, and closes on the 4th of March
Important matters bearing upon the future
policy of the government will most likely he
brought forward in this time. and these devel-
opments will necessarily exert a powerful in
f1uence upon the positions of parties. The
insincerity of democratic pretensions to pat
riotism or nationality. and has destroyed the
power of the party organization by which it
was elevated The people must have time to
consult to the best means to wrest the
sceptre from disloyal hands, and restore to
the country a purer and more efficient gov
eminent.
AS regards our State election a later day
than that designated by our neighbor will
answer every purpose for preparing for that
canvass; but we doubt even the propriety OF
designating any day at present.
These are only our individual views, formed
even previous to the appearance OF the
Pat,IOt's call, and without consultation with
any one. If our friends should differ with
us, of course We are prepared to acquiesce in
any arrangement which may appear for the
best.
With becoming difference to the judgment
of our contemporary, We must say that in pre-.
pairing for an opposition campaign in this
State, we see no necessity of turning our at
tention to Washington. The next session of
Congress may. or it may not. do som thing to
change the present aspect of political affairs.
and afford additional encouragement to the
opposition here ;but we have ever found il most
polite and wise to deal with things a. they
are. Whatever Congress may do, we are GER
tain of one thing. and that is, of having to
meet the sham democracy Of Tennessee. II
the action of Congress shall furnish us aid TO
batter them down, we will gladly accept it.
but we shall not calculate upon anything of
the kind.
We regret that our contemporary and our
selves thus differ. We may be wrong-our
contemporary may be right. If the party
think as it does we shall not object; but will
heartily conform TO what may be determined
on.
we hav'nt the heart to quarrel about day
for the planning of the campaignl!