Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-06-09


thrown into settled minority, and forthwith
deprived of political power ~-=--
Those are the views, entertained and
expressed by Mr.. BELL nineteen years
ago, and which have guided his whole
couise from the beginning, in regard to
slavery agitation.
From its origin, he regarded it as a
mere party game for political power,
which was calculated to give strength
+" to the abolition fanatics"
He regarded the players of this
game, " as hollow and false guardians
of Southern interests" who, ''for the
sake of trifing party advantage,
would put every thing to hazard by
perpetual agitation"
He regarded it as dangerous game
for the South, looking at it in political
point of view for it struck him, that
if the ambitious aspiratns of the North
should take it into their heads to play
the same sort of game in retaliation,
the South would soon be thrown into
a settled mil GRITTY, and forthwith de-
prived of political power"
For these patriotic reasons Mr.. BELL
has persistently refused to have part
or lot in the "game" of slavery agita-
ton.
But the Democratic players of the
South-"tho>e false and hollow guar
dams of Southern interests"-persisted
in the game, until, as Mr.. BELL feared
! and predicted nineteen years ago, am
bilious aSpirantS at the North have ia
ken it into their heads to play the same
sort of game in retaliation, and it is now
clearly seen that, if the game be not at
once stopped-if it be continued even
! for another year-the North must in
evitably win, and the South be thrown
into a settled minorty-in which event,
"those hollow and false guardians Of
Southern interests" who originated the
game, who have increasingly played it
ever since, and who are now recklessly
and madly playing it out, openly avow
their intentions Of effecting, if possible,
a d solution of the Union.
In opposing the Kansas-Nebraska
bill, Mr.. BELL was actuated by the
same high and patriotic motives, that
had led him from its commencement, to
set his face against slavery agitation.
He placed his opposition to that meas
ure solely upon what he believed and
foretold would be its practical results.
He stated that if he could believe that
''one-half the many beneficent results"
anticipated by its Southern supporters,
would follow its passage, he would not
hesitate to vote for the bill.
of | could" said he, take the view
of the Importance of this measure to
the country which my southern friends
do-cutting off the source of all future
controversy between the North and
the South-putting an end to agitation
in both sections upon the subject of
slavery, would feel justified in waving
all my objections to this bill, and in
heartily uaitiug with them in its sup
port We differ only as to the results
of the measure"
With his characteristic, far-reaching
sagacity he foresaw and foretod the
result. The result, he prOpheced,
would be "the formation Of sectional
party organization" at the North I!
In the formation of the Republican
party, this prediction had swift fulfil
ment w III our readers turn with us,
for u few moments, to the words Of
warning and prophecy uttered by Mr.
BELL on this memorable occasion ?
They were spoken in the Senate of the
United States on the 25th of May.
MR.. BELLS PREDICTIONS.
After advertng in the kindeSt and
most respectful terms to those North
ern gentlemen of the Democratic par
ty" who supported the bill-"many" of
whom, he felt authorized to say, did so,
"undcr a full conviction that they were
signing the death-warrant of their poll
teal prospects, at least for n number of
years." Mr.. BELL continued:
But sir. there is another large class of ma
tional and conservative citizens, both Wings
and Democrats at the North, to whom some
cOnsid, ration is due, in bringing our minds
to the support Of such measure as this. 1t
is due to them To consider what effect this
measure may have upon them, and the embar
raSsment TO what they may be subject, d. in
continuing their efforts in opposing Alb ,ition
at the North, and in UNFOLDING the cOmprO-
misses Of 1850. They all regarded the COM
promises of 1850 as II final settlement of these
exciting questions. aud have, in good faith
| acqiiesced in and supported them.
know that there il u large body of patriotic
and noble wings at the North who, though they
do not approve this 1.-THE kansas-Ne"raskal
Dill, nave steadily opposed the abolition move
ment at the North, from its inception. and
have always deprecated all agitation on the
subject Of slavery. They, like all northern
men have been, from training aud education,
opposed to slavery but they have been train
ed 10 respect aud revere the Constitution
aud its compromises; and they have shown
their determination 10 respect and stand by
the compromises of 1850. in their uuwavcr
ing efforts 10 silence opposition TO the fugitive
slave law. and 10 secure ITS faithful execution.
Aud, sir, would enquire Of those who assert
that there Is no sound National Wing party
at the North, what has become OF that noble
Wing phdanx at the North who stood 10y aud
sustained DANIEL WEBSTER in his bold advo-
cacY of The eompI omises OF 1850? Mhere the