Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-02-22


ssThe OPposItIOn.n
We have read with more than ordinary care an
article in the Patriot Of last Friday, headed, "The
Opposition State Convention aud the August Elec-
tions" The design Of the article is, TO encourage
the Southern Opposition the new name which
the know nothings have lately assumed-tO make
vigorous effort to carry the Southern States in the
ensuing elections. That they will do their best is,
Of course, to be expected. They have always done
this. It hardly needs an argument other than that
incident to the very organization and name Of 'the
opposition" 10 insure the effort for which the Patriot
makes Al argument. When the two parties, each
with distinctive principles, appeal to the people,
there is room for argument and reason, the cOnpar
isOn Of views. and 3 common sense Judgment. But
when one party only processes . creed, and hatred
to that party is the single bond Of union avOWed by
the Opposition" there is no danger that those
who can once be induced to act with such party
viii act EealOusy. John Quincy Adams described
SHE opposition" to the democracy, at one period Of
his life, being sotuated by the single principle of
slstred to every man ofpurer principles than them
selves" The fact that he himself was, at q later
period Of his life, an incarnation Of this hatred,
detrscls nothing from The power and truth of this
description. And never was It fully ilustrat-
ed than at this moment: when northern fanaticisn
aud Southern Kaow NotAHgtsH,- negIecting, the
one lis love for the ''Poor Niger" and the other
his hatred Of ''the id furrnsr" are lstoring ike
brothers Of the same blood to construct 3 common
platform on which mutual hatred may combine in
an efficient Opposition" to the mutually hated de-
mocraey.
The Patriot prints ''table showing what would
be the Presidential vote as parties now stand in
the several States" This table gives ths republic
cans 1872, thedemocr.ts 143, and the Know Nohings
g electoral votes TIE Patriot considers this
alarming state Of things, and, as the Democrats
eannOt in its opinion, beat the republicans, ID ur-
ges a union Of the opposition for this purpose. The
very important fact that opposition party in the
nOn-slsvehOlding States must, TO be successful g.
gsinst the democracy, be composed at least in the
proportion of Eve to one, of these very black repub
Icans whom the Pa,riOtis apparently anxious to
defeat, and that they may not be willing 10 join
party with the aVOHed object Of beating themselves,
is overlooked by the Parrot in its argument Aud
when democrats look 1t the PatriOfs figures, they
may not think il fair, with an admitted capital Of
14S electoral votes including three free States, to
give place in the contest with black republieanism,
to g faction which only boosts the votes which
they secure in Maryland BY the bloody riots in
Baltimore, aud which is destitute even Of an organ.
cation In most Of the free States
It strikes us that We have heard similar argu-
msnts 20 those noticing in the Patriot before.
II we have not forgotten the past we heard in 1856,
appeals to the Democrats Of The South to drop
BUCHANAN and unite on FILLMORE as the only pos
sible chance Of defeating fremont. If We we're
wise enough in 1856 TO adhere 10 our organisation,
and if we triumphed than in spite of far fore
nidable opposiiontbsn that which nor msnaces US
for then we had intenier abolition excitement to
contend with than we nov have, and anti CsthoS
lie and snti>forsigu excitement in addition, which
we now have motif We adhered to our orgsnizas
ton then and whipped the allied forces Of the OPP
position, 90 we shsll adhere to Organization in
1860, and win far easier victory the democrat
lied remains Of those armies. An opposition par
~ Organization simply to oppose the Democratic
party, and ignoring the slsvery question North and
South could not succeed in a single State North or
south-except perhaps in Maryland and not there
bat for the reigR ofterror in Baltimore. And those
who join an Opposition" party in Tennessee, in
any other belief viii make just such another ''smal
experiment" IS some Of our former friends made
when they joined the Know Mornings.
We have said thstMr. NETHkRLASD tells good
story, and We wish were able to report one of
his best which he used to tell both on The stump and
in the Legislature with much effect. Although I'M
able to de this its conclusion is fresh with u.s. aud
is appropriate now that Mr. NETHERLAND, having
once turned from Wing to Know Nothing, now
claims 20 have turned from Know Nothing 10 Wing
again II Was Of q negro hunter, looking for pos
sums, and in some doubt whether an animal partial
ly seen was postum or coon. Says he, address,
ing the animal "YOu may be . coon. P'rsps sou
are. ButyOu dissemble 'pOssum most dsmnably."
You may be a coon, Mr. NRrHEELAED. Perhaps
you are. But you disssmble Know Nothing deci.
dedly. And We purpose your political hide in the
Aext hunt.