Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-03-30
The opposlaior--whntisitl

Those who imagine, says the Louisville Courier,
that the present Opposition party is thing
der the sun are vastly mistaken 1t is Old as the
Democratic party. 1t would be tedious to trace it
from its first appearance down to the present time,
and TO note all lis gyTatOns and to index the innu,
meIable names which ii has assumed, disgraced and
discarded. Suffice it to say, that the Opposition in
the last fifty years has presented itself in every
riety OF names known in political nomenclature. 1t
Is destructive Of names, very. The first which it
appropriated and disgraced was that of Federalist
Federalst, il the days of Washington was the hon
srable4tle of a true patriot. The Opposition see>
ing It's success and feeling its potency appropriated
it at the earliest possible moment Before it had
been in Their possession long, the name of Federa>
list became reproach, AID synonym of traitor
Until this day, that old aud once honored appella-
ton has not recovered from the disgrace attached
TO it, by its association with the Opposition" At
ter they had made the name of 'Federalst' bye
word, and q disgrace, they appropriated every re-
spectacle name, until they exhausted the entire cal
ender, and now as a last resort they sIe banded to-
getber under the general term Opposition"
Opposition to what! Why 10 the Democracy,
and, of course opposition to the principles of the
Democratic party. They are, then, opposed to the
rights of the States to the rights of tho South !;
to the doctrine of non.inteIvention, and in short,
to everything advocated by the National Democratic
party. Afraid to CnUnciate any principles of their
own they content themselves with growing at ours
II is principle Of the common law, that when
man pleads in abatement 10 q writ, that he shall
furnish 9 better. What sort of a figure would the
Oppostionists Of the South cut, were they held to
this rule? They believe that the terrible Democ-
racy is going 10 ruin the country, yet to save the
country and their precious sous, they cannot sug-
gest better form of government than that adopted
by the Democracy.
"The fact is the Opposition party is an unavo:d-
able result of a well constituted government Moth
ing can be made without leaving more or less
waste material. Gold cannot be melted without
leaving more or less drOss and governments can.
not be formed without leaving more or less intract
able element which makes very good opposition.
Look at the present Opposition party? What are
its component parts Does it not consist of frag
ments and odds and ends Most certainly it does
Where are ell the old broken down politicians In
the Opposition party Where all the disappointed
Office seekers! In the Opposition party. Where are s
the disseminated and illsused men who would ruin
because they cannot rule Where should they be
but in the Opposition partyf The thing is new On
ly in namc, being composed the Oldest possible ma
terals II is like snake which changes It's skin ev-
cry year. only has been skinned so often by the De-
moeraey that this year appears without any skin at
ALL In its ranks you viii find great variety of
men, with great variety of talents, all of whom
should be Presidents, and would be- but for the cru
Ell lack of appreciation OF the part of the people
In it you will find any number Of far seeing and