Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-06-15
From the Savannah Rpaolsoan.
Helpless Condition of the Country
Who Is Removable.


The recent aggressions upon the n2tional
flag and the rights of citizens, in various
quarters of the world, have been subject of
universal interest with the American people
All seem united in the opinion and desire that
something should be done to assert and viDdi-
cate our rights, but in every move in that d.
rection, at the very outset, we are stared in
the face by the humiliating truth that we are
really unable to defend ourselves-that des-
pissed and baff1ed though we be, this great ma
ton has no means at its command to enforce
its rights and secure the respect of others.
Except in case of actual invasion, or when
we have been offended by weak neighboring
power readily accessible, there is no remedy.
We have to fold our arms. talk belligerently,
and do nothing.
Look at our long controversies with
New Granada and Paraguay, with Spain,
and thestill more recent piratical aggres-
sions upon our commerce in the Gulf OF
Mexico, and within sight of our very
shores; and what have we done, and what are
we going to do, in regard TO these insults and
injuries? Suppose that England avow the
acts of her naval commanders in the Gulf, how
and when would we resent the wrong !?
Would we, as brave and powerful nation, as
we claim to be, take measures of redress on
the spot and vindicate the national honorT
Could we do it? Or would we, of necessity,
sCOTc uOWH lue WIOliS WIN tAC
understanding that it should be resented as
soon as zoe are able Is there an American citi-
zen who can contemplate this state of things
without feeling of humiliation aud shame?
Who is responsible for it? This is question
which we propose briefly to consider.
We hesitate not to charge the present impo-
tent and Notifying condition of the country
upon the Democratic party. The very fact
that they have had almost uninterrupted pos
,nft Aa for Iirtxy 10
sufficient to establish the charge, without
going into an enumeration of particulars.
Nor is the delinquency to be laid at the door
of the Executive department of the govern
ment. Year after year have the President
and head of the War department urged upon
Congress the total inadequacy of the naval
branch of the public defense, either to protect
our rapidly increasing commerce, or the rights
of the country in collision with any respec-
table power. Twenty years ago distinguish
ed Representative from this district prepared
plan for an increase of the Navy and sub
mitted it to Congress, with such arguments
and exhibits that should have insured it
prompt consideration and action on the part
of the federal legislature. All these calls,
however, have been unheeded, and the country
has been allowed to drift along until some
deep disgrace should arouse it to sense of
its character and danger. There was no time
to attend to these crying necessities of the
country. Personal schemes of ambition, pre-
sidential aspirations, considerations affecting
the personal preference of "BuncOmb," were
too important to be set aside for such trifles
as the necessary legislation of the country.
The one contemplate question of Kansas, in
volving nothing practical to any section, has
been kept up solely for this purpose by mem
bers of Congress from both the north and the
south, and has consumed time and money
enough to have built us Navy equal to that
of England.
But we need not argue this question of the
utter faithlessness of the Democratic party to
the country and the constitution. Every
step of their progress for twenty years
goes to establish the charge that they have
been utterly absorbed with the plan and
purposes of self, and as utterly treacherous
to the best interests of the nation. Mr..
TOombs declared in the Senate, but few days
ago, that our government was the most cor
rupt one on earth, and that the corruption
was confined, for the most part, to the Legis-
lative department, that which springs directly
from the people and is presumed to be held to
the strictest account. The position is almost
conclusive against popular government, yet
il is true.
Whatever may be the inference as regards
the soundness of our institutions. it is at least
an unanswerable, whitening condemnation of
those TO whom their management has been en-
trusted-the Democratic party. We trust
the country may fell alive to the startling
truth, and that the people may drive out the
political pirates who have so betrayed their
confidence and done SO much to degrade and
disgrace the nation.