Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-03-02
PARTY TESTS

The National Democratic Party was originally
organized to maintain certain great constitutional
principles It's original cardinal idea vas a main
tenanoe Of the reserved rights of the States in op
position to the idea ofthe Federal party Of splendid
central government Througba all Subsequent changes
snd mutations this has continued to be the dividing
line between the two opposing parties Of the ooun-
try. The Democratic party contends that the Fede-
raj Government should be restricted the exercise Of
those powers clearly delegated to it by the Consti
tuition and that all other powers are reserved to the
States or to the people In the very nature Of
things, therefore, the democratic organization re-
quireF unity Of sentiment and action as to all CUES
lions relating to the powers and duties of the Fede-
raj Government; and claiming for each State the
right to regulate its internal policy in its own man
ner, makes attempt to exact uniformity Of opinion
as to the best local policy of the States The con-
sttutonal right Of the State to construct or aid in
the construction Of works Of internal Improvement
aud to establish and regulate banks being unques-
toned, the manner in which this power should be
ercsed and the extent to which it should be carried
become questions Of State policy, about which Dem
Oorats may and do differ. Our opinions upon these
matters have been so often and 50 fully expressed
that it is unnecessary for US to repeat them Upon
these questions, although there are very wide differ
ences Of opinion among members Of the Democratic
party, there be danger Of divisions upon fun
danental principles SO long as each recognizes the
right Of all others TO think for themselves. Mem
bers Of the same political party may earnestly CON
tend for different lines of State policy without
dividing upon the wsil-marked issues for which the
National Democracy are contending WHIST might
be judiciOus policy in one State might be very in
judioiOus in another. We must agree to differ on
questions Of local policy aud gree not 10 differ on
cardinal points Of constitutional and national gov
eminent; or, who shall arbilrate between us2
Holding these views as TO what are the true party
tests, this paper has yet never ignored the discus
son Of local questions affecting the interests Of the
people Of the State nor pretended 20 neutrality on
issues in regard to which its friend have been div-
ded. 1t holds strong opinions aud sometimes strong
ly exposed those opinions on the subject Of
State Indebtedness and Satebanks. Yet, while
claiming for ourselves the right TO these opinions
and their expression within the pale Of the dem
Ocratic party, we have never assumed to read
cut Of the partyt hose who differ with US on
these subjects On the contrary, We will defend for
them the same liberty which we G. sim for ourselves
We have regretted that our friends IN the Lsgls-
lature could not all see alike, ON the interesting
questions which have arisen during the present ses-
SIGN. But it was not perhaps, to have been ex-
pected When the political condition Of The country
is comparatively quiet; when the questions before
the Legislature are such as to Indicate 90 once the
positions to be taken upon thsm by every man Of
eitherparty there is no danger OF embarrassment.
misrepresentation and confusion. The TWO opposing
parties arrange themselves readily each under It's
separate banner ami on Dts own ground. apart from
The other. But when the skies are cIouded. when
new and intricate issues eataage in a web Of dis
oursiye debate and obscured rather than eueiIated
by the different views from the thousand stand
points from which they are looked at are brought
up as party tests II is neither unnatural nor alarm
ing that there should be something of disorder 10
.ae ranks or discrepancy of opinion among the |
members. even of an organization whose principles /
are as prominent before the minds eye" as the
iuluntaias are distinct from the valleys, end whose
proudest BOASTS misunderstanding devotion viii which
81 has always adhered 90 the teDr.s of ITS faith !
Much less is there ground Tor apprehension, on &C.
count of such differences when 90 examination /
lley prove to be the results of tEc sa-aroivcz. e
sane meaning, the same purpose. and for the same
o..esl