Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-07-27
WEDNESDAY. JULY 81. 1853.
A Word to Young Men.


There afe hundreds and thousands of Young
men in Tennessee, who will cast their first POI
litical vote on the Alb day of August Hav-
ing reached the age of majority they will
then take their place in the ranks of those
whose business it is to govern tho onnn'-s
They will approach the ballot box with An
equal voice, and with equal power with the
oldest and most experienced citizen of the
State. In the appointment of political agents,
in the assertion of principles, and in shap-
ing the policy of the commonwealth for the
common veal, through the ballot. the grand
son and the grand-sire stand on perfect
level. Here the most humble and most e1-
allied, in other respects, stand together in
equal stature in executing the sovereign re-
publican will of the State. The young man
assumes all the duties and responsibilities
OF the most aged. 1t is q serious epoch in
his life. 1t is not only important that he
should set out right; but that he should have
AN intelligent understanding of the princi-
pies for which he casts his vote. and to which
he will adhere. He should have a fixed pur-
pose and high aim before him. There are
now two parties arrayed before him, and it is
for him to choose between them.
Whatever may have been, at any former
period, the character of the D. mocratic party,
for patriotism, for honest of purpose and
purity of motive, in its present demorallEed
condition, that character is wholly changed.
1t has been cursed by corrupt and ambitious
combinations, until its glory has faded, its
power for good destroyed. aud its ability for
evil enhanced TO an alarming degree. This
assumption is by no means the offspring of
partizan feeling. We bring witnesses from
its own bosom; we have the authority of the
Washington Union for saying that: It's Or
GANIzATIoN Is DEMoRALIzED, ITS INTEGRITY
QUESTIONABLE, IT'S HONOR DOUBTFUL, ANB ITS
CHARACTER BAD" Its leaders HAVE TAINTED
ITS INTEGRITY, DEMORAIIZED II, weakened 1T,
and rendered it doubtful antagonist even
against the open enemies of the Union. THEY
HAVE sTRlKEN DOWN AND DEGRADED ALL BROAD,
LIBERAL, COMPREHENSIVE sTATEsaANsHIP
have substituted the MISERABLE DEVICES OF
DEMAGoGUEs for those great principles OF gov
eminent, under which alone the industry
the country can be developed" These men
"hav- controlled it 1.-THE Democratic party]
until its forces are scattered, its laws disre-
garded its councils UNDECIDED, and its power
il contemplate"
Again the Union said :: d" If we were to look
for the evidence of a democratic party In
Congress, we could not discover it by the
analysis of the votes of members on any
measure, or any number or series OF measures
that has been before that body for long
time" ...-
Another organ of the party has also recently
said that there is really no democratic party
in existence. "Will any man. exclaims the
States, pretend to affirms that Democrats are
agreed upon basis of principle? In respect
of one of ,chich among he political issues before The
country is there so much epen as an approach TO
u,.aninaiy IN the party 20 and answers, there is
none Continues the States, ''at the hazard of
oontradicting vulgar prejudice, and shock
ing our own sense OF security, We are obliged
to announce the deliberate conclusion tia t
there i, noaD no democratic party in existence"
Still another democratic journal, the
Charleston Mercury has uttered the following :
eve have seen nothing in national Demo-
cracy of late years which challenges our adj
miration, to say nothing OF our allegiance.
IL has trifed ruth constitutional provisions. disre
qardad constitutional restrictions, aud SET al nOu9hf
posit,ce constituhonal n,junetions. 10 has aided IN
he passage Of unjust and unequal tdtes, al has
spllrndered the public money, robbed me common
treasury. and 10 foreign pdttpers II has giuen me
public lands. Its promises have been broken,
It's pledges disregarded, and its professions
falsiftd. To conclude the whole matter
national Democracy Is corrupt pdc'ttdt,ng and
false; ,cears the garb Of sanet,ty f'at ais h'deos
determines may be concealed; 6ta TO rum,
and zins bun 10 destroy.
We now PROFOUND to Abe young men OF
Tennessee, whether they can cast their lot
with the fortunes OF such pretended party
q thisis admitted to be? Weinvoke them to
s6Rsiasg well the Importance of the step
the consequences to themselves aud ''t ts o.
country, of their throwing their strength 70,
such party. We appeal to them to reflect
on the gravity Of the error they may or may
not commit, as they vote for or against that
party. What earthly claim has il to their
good opinion or their support What can
they hope for from suchan aggregation of dis
organized and disagreeing elements? Above
all. what is to be the fate of our government
when it is intrnsted to such hands! Young
men, answer these questions in your judg-
ments and your consciences; and as you are
patriots and seek the perpetuity. prosperity
and the glory Of your country, give your
first rote in aid of the effort sow making TO
hurl this party from power.