Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-07-30
THE NEW YORK TRIBUNE AND THE FIREEATERs

We have long been convinced that tacit
understanding has existed between the lead
ers of Abolitienism and those of slavery pro-
pagandism. to dissolve this Union. We have
repeatedly given expression to this cOnvic-
ton. The developments of each succeeding
day but serve to assure US, not only OF the
reasonableness Of this conviction but OF its
absolute truth. There are two extreme par
ties in the country. One is headed by Sew
ARD, GREELEY, WEBB, WEED and others, and
the other by DAVIS, TooMBs, IvERsoN, RHErT.
and others. They are using their utmost in
genuity and power to continue such politi-
cal issues, to perpetgate prejudices, and to
precipitate such condition of affairs as will
promote or consummate their objects. One
wing of these extremes takes the position
that slavery must be extinguished, the other
that it must become universal. Both are
equally regardle IS of the Constitution and the
Union. But they both play into each others
hands for the attainment Of common end.
One wants country that will not tolerate
African slavery-the other country that
will make African slavery an institution uni
versal within its limits. In the present con-
federacy, where some of the States have
abolished slavery and others retained il, and
will maintain it with their lives and their
fortunes, both these wants cannot be graft
fed. The question between them, therefore,
resolves itself into one of power, or one of
dissolution. And since it is clear that the
free States will not reestablish slavery, and
it is equally clear that the slave States will
not abolish it, the alternative is presented
whether the one or the other will be forced
into the respective measures insisted on.
The free States, having the preponderance of
political power are eager, under these lead
ers to test the question as to whether they
can force the slave States into their views.
The slave States, under the leaders we have
named, having proclaimed their disgust for
the Union, are willing to meet this test, and
in this way to bring about dissolution of
the Union which they despise. Both are
shaping the issues of 1860 to this end. as is
But there is another class of citizens, law
abiding, constitution observing and Union
two, and grasping each by the throat, throt-
tie both. If this third element succeeds, both
are equally damaged both are alike disappont-
ed, and both are alike overwhelmed and routed
Hence they are both equally interested in
putting down this third power, which is COM
posed Of the conservative Opposition, North
and South. Whatever would promote this
and is assiduously embraced. The most pow
erful means to accomplish this end is to array
the people entire, ON one side or the other.
To do this the northern wire-pullers in this
scheme, denounce the conservative men in
their section as slavery propagandists, and
the southern wire-pullers denounce the con-
servative men as abolitionists. But they go
still further. The southern wing OF these en-
emies of the Union raise issues which will
have the effect to drive their conservative al
lies in the North into the free-soil ranks
while the northern wing sedulously tax
such steps will tend to drive the conserva-
tive men Of the South into the rauks of the
extremists. This is the programme. The
abolitionists know, that in point of popula-
ton and voting strength, the slave-holding
States are in a minority. 1t is their interest
and their policy to unite the South in order
thereby to unite the North, aud they are
making the nationality of southern men the
pretext for claiming them as in the interests
of the Black Republicans. and thus producing
the impression on the southern mind, that
the national conservative men of the South
are enemies of the Institution of slavery.
Especially has This course been pursued by
the New York Tribune. 1t seems to have de-
voted itself to the breaking down of the OPP
position in the South, in the present pending
elections. In this way, and doubtless for this
object, the Tribune has been supplying the
quivers of sham democracy with envenomed
arrows for the warfare which that party is
making upon the Opposition Of the South.
And those shafts have been assiduously used
during the present campaign in Tennessee.
Whether or not the organ Of that party in |
this State, the Union and american is u par
ty 10 the conspiracy which, in our opinion,
exists 10 circumvent and finally destroy the
Union of the States. 1t has, at least
been diligent to seize upon the outgiv- |
ings of the Tribune in regard to the
views of the national men Of the South. |
In its own language, 1t has "copied from
the columns of the New York Tribune, a bitter
and offensive abolition sheet, of which HoRscE
GREELEY is the Editor, repeated commenda.
lions" of what II would have the people of
Tennessee believe to be the platform and
purposes of the Opposition. Aud by these
copied concentrations to inculcate the idea
that the Opposition here were in league with
these reckless sbolitionists. We have re-
pestedly told both the Uaioa and American
and the Tribune that there was not particle
OF ground for their assumptions of such a.
the fact We defy any and all men to In
stance q sentiment of any Southern man, In
Guiding those patriotic gentlemen, JoHS
BELL ond EMERSON ErHERiDaE expr essed |
either in or out OF Congress, that shows them
TO be In favor of the doctrines propounded
by Mr.. SEWARD In bis Rochester and Rome /
speeches, last year, or thai shows them TO Be
In favor Of the abolition OF slavery.
The Republicans know that the success Of
the Opposition in Tennessee and Kentucky
and other Southern States, woeld snfran-
chise the conservative sentiment Ia the North |
and unhorss them completely. II would
give hope and courage 10 the nationsl senti- |
ment and feeling everywhere, and so prove
destructive to them. They know their only |
kops is In extlenism and In purely SC