Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-02-17
WAsHrraToS, Feb. 9, 1858.

] IN The last pafAgtap OF MS AeltetE
WASHINGTON, Feb. g, 1858.
GExr1EnEN: don't often write newspaper com
muniostiOns, but having nothing better to do this
evening, have concluded to send you something
which, if you think it worth the room, you can put
into your valuable paper.
The Presidents message, accompanying the Le
compton Constitution, which was laid before both
Houses Of Congress on Tuesday last, you have re-
ceiyed and read before this time It is great doeu
ment, AID one which cannot fail to command the
admiration and approval Of all truly national men,
scarcely need say that whilst it inspired The friends
of the administration with confidence and hope, 1t
operated like a shoWer-bsth upon the spirits Of the
enemy. The fight upon it has regularly begun.
In the Senate the opposition will be led by Judge
Douglas but as the administration party is in very
decided majority there, he will fight with the GER
tainty Of defeat staring him in the face regret
his detection but can see palliatiOn for 1t. He
has damned himself, aud only be kept from
damning the democratic party BY being tossed out Of
it. He still claims to be eOf US, aud insists all
other renegsdes do, that the party and not he has
got wrong but he will soon find that the party is
not dependant upon him his support for its integ
ry and success and thea, when it istoo late viii he
most likely for pardon, and ask to be restored
its confidence. Here again he will be disap-
pointed. The Democratic party never can and
never will trust him again. He has forever
forfeited the high place he held in its affections
In the House, Harris Of Illinois, Douglas second
fiddle mas assumed or been assigned, the leadership
Of the ani-LeoOmpton party of that body. Upon
the question Of the admission of Kansas into the
Union, the administration Of Mr.. Buchanan, has
not in the whole catalogue of its enemies from Hen
ry Winter Davis to Joshua R. Giddings more open,
fierce and apparently Incorporating, enlmy than
this c-9eUqHt Democrat from the State Of Illinois.
Boldly, unblushingly, and with the zeal Of a new
made convert, he has led his Black Republican al
lies in their war upon the LecOmptOn const tuition
and the policy Of the President in regard thereto,
and, relying upon the power Of numbers, has even
resoFted to the gaglaW to accomplish its defeat No
good Democrat viii envy him the honor, which he
may imagine attaches to his present position; md
he himself may live regret that he had not rather
occupied the lowest place in the ranks of his old
party, than assumed the one he now holds. Tut
there are some men who really would prefer to ia Ike
the chances of regning in hell to serving in heaven,
and Isuspect Harris is Of them On his motion,
the Lecompton constitution yesterday REFER ed
to select committee Of fifteen. The vote Of ref r.
ence was a very close one 80 close that the LecOmp
ton men are confident of an easy and early victo ~
on the final issue. When the Senates bill comes
before them, they will pass it easily.
The fight in the House on Saturday morning wa.s
quite spirited affair There were no weapons on
hand, and consequently nobody was hurt. Mr..
Keitt was not knocked down, nor even struck; lae
was pulled down by Mr. Davis, Of Miss, who Was
attempting to make peace Barksdale got into the
fight by attempting to prevent it, and only struck
when he was stricken. Mr. Keitt and Mr.. GWinn
apologized to the House yesterday morning, and
thus the affair passed of This and the feeling
upon the Kansas question has, however, caused
good deal Of anxiety among conservative men, as to
the safety of the Union. An interesting and affect
ing incident growing out Of it, has been related to
me, as having occurred at the State Department
yesterday morning, between its venerable chief and
distinguished young member Of Congress from
Tennessee, who had called on business. The con-
versatiou turning from business to the Pers Of the
times and the high sectional excitement now exist
ing the young Tennessean expressed Othe General,
his qualification that his health continued 50 good,
and that he had been spared to aid once more with
the weight Of his great name and influence in re-
storing peace and harmony to the country. The
venerable soldier and statesmen, evidently feeling
deeply the responsibility Of his position, said in an
earnest and affecting tone: "The Union is in peril
peril almost as fearful as that through which it
passed in 1850. There is but one way TO save it
admit Kansas at once as State, and thereby remove
the slavery question out Of COngress-take 1t away
from the demagogues who are using it as a means
Of getting into place and power, and all will be well
again My young friend, continued the old patriot,
was born before the constitution, and pray God,
that may not Outlive it, Your career is just COM
mencing, devote your life, your talents, and your
best energies to the preservation Of the Union for
when this one is gone you can never get such an
other" Noble and patriotic sentiments these-sen-
tments worthy of the veteran soldier and statesman
who uttered them, and which we sincerely wish
could be felt and appreciated by all Who hold places
Of honor and trust under the government.
suppose, Of course, that you have read the
speech of Hon. William 7. Avery, the young
member from the Memphis district delivered
in the House some two weeks ago, upon the
question Of admitting Kansas into the Union. 1t
is considered here as one OF the very best speeches
that has been called forth by the discussion Of this
question 1t not only fully sustains the high repu-
tation for el0quence and ability which Mr.. Avery
enjoys at home; but it shows that in placing him IN
the councils of the nation the Democracy of his
district have given to the administration a friend
who is both willing and able to defend it against
any and all assaults come from what quarter they
may. predict for Mr.. Avery most brilliant and
useful political career.
What is the matter with cur Legisature' Its
course on the Kansas question is no less surprising
than Notifying to the Tennesseans here, all Of
whom, with perhaps a single exception, are stand
ing square up the administration and the South
That exception is Senator Bell, who, it is supposed
from some remarks Of his on the floor Of the Sen
ate this morning. will vote with the anti-LecOmp-
tonites He can well find apology for this course
in the movement Of certain Democrats in the Ten
nessee Legislature.