Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-07-22
State of the Canvass-Absence
of Enthusiasm.

One Of the most noticeable features Of the poIiti
cal campaign progressing 10 this State, is the
absence--if that may be called q feature--of that
enthusiasm which has heretofore characterized the
contests Of parties battling for ascendency. This
want of enthusiasm in both parties is, we think not
an unhopeful indication. VIGOROUSLY in the loud
vauntings and roaring strifes of party. men Of no
fixed habits Of thought and no regularly defined
theories to guide them, are swept along by the
rent of popular feeling that dashes its waves high
est and sounds loudest An inscription upon a BAN
ner song composed Of euphoneous snatches from
party vocabularies, and the wild and reckless hurra
of madmen bent upon sustaining ndme--whether
right or wrong--have carried many an election aud
inaugurated many political dynasty. In such
cases victory perches upon lung, gaudy color.
But as the arts of the deuagogue become upder-
stood, and as subtle poison distilled through its ac-
customed channels accompliShes its deadly work
upon the public vitals, the people wake up as from
a dream and betake themselves to thought
To thought then, let the people come, for there
is much food for il within the circle that compre-
hends the problems that appeal to the country for
immediate solution. The great conservative element
that made the old Wing party the very salt of our
institutions and is fed by the ten thousand rills and
rivulets of patriotism flowing together from every
latitude of the republic, gains everything by refec-
tion and nothing by the wild scream of infatuated
partisanship. When reason is predominant, that
element is in the ascendent when passion prevails,
it wanders into obScurty or bows before the uproar
Now the people cannot be dashed to fury and the
accustomed arts of the unadulterated partisan fail
Let them fall it is time they should Reflection
sits upon the people. They intend to vote for meas
lures. Measures are demanded by the interests OF
the public of Tennessee, and measures that public
will have. The principles of the Opposition appeal
to the people for investigation. That appeal will
not be in vain. If truth and sound policy shall
predominant, we have nothing TO fear. The 0ppo-
siton demand a sound currency of gold, silver and
paper. Gold and silver at the bottom aud paper nj
the top resting upon that metallic basis. We de-
mand that when the specie is demanded from the
bank it shall pay it, or forfeit its privileges VIZ
demand that the issues of the banks shall be re
deemabe at the counters where paid out. We ar,
in favor of re-chartering the Union and Planter
Banks with such restrictions as will secure to tn,
people a sound currency, and also retain for ou
commercial channels the use of five millions of cap
ital. This is something for the people to think o
and they are thinking of it. No antedeluviar
I humbug cheat them out of their right o
thought by dashng shower Of pulyerized bone
into their eyes. Let the Democracy set their littl,
whirwinds to capering over the field. They may
toss up leaves and feathers but the solid rock of thu
peoples prosperity will remain firm. They may
deny the fidelity to the slavery institution of
half of the people of Tennessee, but to no purpose
So great SANDER is out of its element when it snuff
the pure air of this earth. The people are thnkin
of this. They are thinking of everything, and from
their rock of free thought no bilow of passion car
drive them, in the year Of our Lord, ls59.-Aem
,,phis Bulletin.