Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-05-14
Hold Them to the Record.

Hold Them to the Record.
1t is an old trick Of the Opposition, under what
ever name they have come before the country, to
shun responsibility for their sObuo1ious acts and
violated pledges" and for this purpose in part,
they have changed their name almost with every
revolution of the seasons. In 1913, when Col
NETHERLAND was stamping the State of the
TAYLOR electors it distinctly declared that the
questions of Bank, Tariff and Distribution we're no
longer living Issues; and, therefore, constituted no
ground Of opposition ID their candidate, Gen. TAy-
LoR. (See Mr.. BELLS speech delivered at Muir
freesborO' during that osnvass) When Know Moth
ipgism took its rise the assumption took holder
FORM that old parties had passed away and their
obnoxious acts and violated pledges" were buried
with them, and should not be resurrectsd in iudg-
ment against their rightful successors. Col METH
ERLAND, as a Know Nothing, avoWed his unwilling
ness to be responsible for Col NETHERLAND as a
Wing.
So of the present Opposition They are unwill-
ing to be bound for the obnoxious acts of the 34th
Congress. They are unwilling to answer for MAT
TEsoN, and his cOnfederates in crime; and for
CULLoM, BANKS & Co. This was q foul Abolition
Congress, say they. True, but it was Know
Nothing Opposition Congress, also; elected by OPP
position votes.
So of BURTON & Co. They will not be response
bic for the frauds and corTuptions that have taken
place in the Secretary Of States and COnptrOllers
offices.
SO Of Col NETHERLAHD. He entered public life
more than a quarter of century ago During that
time he has had ample opportunities of showing his
efficiency public man. If his course had been
characterized by lofty patriotism; by devotion TO
the public interest," by sacred regard for the rights
Of the people; by talent and integrity, he and his
friends could invite scrutiny into the record that he
has made. They could do more, they could them
selves hold it up to the admiration of the public,
and, with pride and pleasure, point 10 it endur-
ing evidence of his craftsmanship. and as claim
upon the confidence of a grateful people
But not So Col NETHERLAND and his friends
would gladly draw the mantle of oblivion over
everything connected with his past public career
They would have the journals of the legislature in
which he served scaled books to the people of Ten
nessee They would blot out, if possible, every
vote and speech of JOHN NETHERLASD from 1888
to the opening Of this canvass.
Col. NETHERLAND says, Il am not in this can
vsss to defend" His friends say, ave know not
what his votes were in years past We will not
stop to consider the charges that are made against
him when graver issues are at stake" What graver
issues? What more important questions in the pro-
position to elect JoHN NETHERLAND Governor, than
JoHN NETHERLAND himself? What must be the
condition of that party that seeks TO ignore the
anteesdents of its own candidate? What must be
the guilty consciousness of the himselff, who,
standing before the public, is afraid to make his
- IL i - n
position candidate for Governor. His competitor
holds the mirror to his face, and, alarmed at his
own deformities, he turas away, and says he will
not look upon ii, and seeks ID keep others from
looking upon it by Pairy effort 10 divert public
attention to other matters.
But Col. NETHEBLAED and his party are mistaken
if ihey indulge the hope for moment, that he can
escape in this manner. Il little matters with the
Democracy whether Col. NETHEELASD pleads to the
indictment not. We have jury in the box
Col NETHERLAND stands before that jury-the re-
cord is made up-the proof is found upon the jour
mails of the country and is incOntrovertible; the
Democracy intend, fearlessy but fairly, to prose-
cute the until the day Of the election, VIXEN
the people will render their verdict
Let every Democrat in the State hold them 10 the
record If they endorse Col. NETHERLAND, they
must endorse his record with him. Ifthey repudi-
ate the one, they will be forced to repudiate the
other.
In contrast with the position of Col. NEUHERLAND
and his friends, how striking that Of Governor HAIR
RIs and the Democratic party Governor HARRIS
has filed more offices of difficult responsibility than
his competitor. lie has been in the L 'gisature of
the State in the Congress ofthe United States, upo
the electoral ticket and Governor of Tennessee, and
in each and all of these positions discharged his
duties elevate himself higher aud higher in the
confidence and affections of the people. Instead of
being ashamed of his record be is proud of it, and
points 10 the most faithful exposition of his poll
teal principles, and the most certain means Of
determining what his course will be in the future.
He can promise do no better. 1t is only neces-
sary that he should promise to do as we'll
The Democratic party, like Governor HARRIS, !
courts investigation. 1t is proud of its principles
and proud of the fruits which have resulted from |
their application. 1t makes concealment of any |
evils that have grown up in the country. 1t makes
no cencealment of political offenders in its own
ranks 1t has been the first to expose and censure |
these things. II is the only party that has ever
corrected sn evil. il defes the ISLANDERS and mis-
representations of its enemies. Relying upon the
intelligence and integrity of the people, ii will
crush hem out as a giant brushes pigGies. We in
dulge in no vain boasting. We but echo the senti-
ments of the party coming up to US from every por-
ticn of the Stale The mission Of the Democracy
IN this canvass is not defeat their political enc
mics in Tennessee, but 10 destroy them, that Black
Republicanism at the North may properly estimate
the temper and determination of the people at the
South.
We say TO our friends, speed the good wOrk-hold
them 10 the record, and all is we'll
SECOND CoNGKEssIoNAL DISTRICT We learn
that Gen Ramsay. of Knoxville has at the solicit