Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-04-07
The Opposition I'm Tennessee.

There is everything in the contest about to
open in this State to animate and Undue our
friends with that hope and energy which
makes success inevitable. Whether in the
field OF national politics, or upon local State
Issues, We have all the advantages Of posi-
ton. All that is required is the proper effort.
The public mind is awakened TO a true sense
OF the condition to which the country has
been reduced by the folly, recklessness, and
criminality of the Democratic party. That
virtue, patriotism and intelligence which re-
sides in the people is preparing to assert it.
self 1t ever exists, and is ever prompt to
the call when the emergency is threatening,
though scheming and glib-tongued dema-
gogues may succeed in deluding and mislead-
ing for awhile. When misgovernment and
corruption become audaciOus. it takes the
alarm, and smites with terrible power, those
who have offended it. The evils under which
the government groans has reached the limit.
The time for the remedy has come 1t is to
be found in the displacement of the party now
in power by The hands of the Opposition par
ty. All that can be asked in the way of OPP
u pltotuiSu. iuc AUS
pcious, and the cause ia righteous. Tennes-
zee has great part to act in this grand
d anna of reformation, and she will be wor-
cay of the occasion.
A review of her past political history is en-
cour gng. 1t is calculated to give confidence
that she will do her duty, and that the great
results tn lie achieved by victory this sum-
mer will inspire to vigorous and successful eff
fort % redeem herself, and assume her proud
and proper position in the van of conservative
States. Though for the past six years she has
sustained the Democratic candidates, and oc-
casionally during the fifteen preceding years
had given majorities to that party, yet, we
have never doubted. that since the division of
parties in 1886, and the general RECONSTRUCT
tion which followed, when she chose, in the
face of most formidable influences, the con-
servative side, that decided majority OF her
voters were, in principle, totally opposed to
that subtle and ambiguous thing, which, un-
der multiform phases, has preserved one
Characteristic reckless striving for the
spoils-an has chung with tenacity to
the alluring name of Democracy No
defeat which the conservative party have
ever suffi red, has shaken our belief in this
regard. She is politically sound, from peel
10 core, whenever the majority of the people
have spoken out their true convictions. Ac-
cideutai circumstances have availed to place
her in false position at times. Deceptive
Issues and hollow pleas have had their effect
hsrv, as elsewhere. but whenever her intelli-
gence and honesty have been frankly APP
D aled to, she has uniformly given her vote in
opposition to the Democratic party.
Let u look at her past. Ia 1885, the tre-
mendous popularity of one man, her own
great and distinguished son, had eliminated.
IL had become a mighty power in the nation.
IL was the overshadowing figure on the can
vas of the times. Before it everything was
being FRUSTRATED. Founded on the basis of
great aud imperious character, which brooked
no division oi power and tolerated no obsta-
Gle, II was fast usurping the powers Of gov
eminent. Its will was the law OF its party,
and its name had made its party all-poweriul.
Sagacious and patriotic men feared the re-
suit but their fears never took the form Of
action, till the kingly chief who swayed this
sceptre assumed to dictate his successor
Upon this point the struggle came. and Ten
nsssee raised the first arm to strike down this
gigantic power. In behalf of the great prin-
ciple at stake, she ignored State pride. and
forgot the glory OF her great captain. From
that hour the charm OF JAcKsoSis invinci-
bility was lost.
For three years she maintained her position,
till in 1889, under the Leadership of a shrewd
and untiring canyasser, the late President
Polk, in competition with one who made no
corresponding effort, her vote was again with
the Democratic party. But, in ls40, when the
astounding defalcations and corruptIons prac-
ticed under the VAN BuSEs administration
came 20 light, she stamped y deep seal OF con-
domination against 1.-THE majority In oppo-
sition being the largest ever given on any
side. Notwithstanding the depressing eiiee .