Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-07-01
FRIDAY MORNING, JULY 1, 1859.
A Few Plain wordo TO Honest Democrat

A Few Plain wOrds 10 Honest Democrats.
We are engaged in another important political
canvsssin Tennessee snd every free and independent
citizen has duty to discharg.-a duty not only to
ourselves and our country, but duty we owe those
who are to come after us. We are Government
Of equals, snd every Citizen however humble holds
in his hands part of the SOVEREIGNTY OF THE
STATE. That sovereignty involves duty, upon the
proper exercise Of which depends the success and
onward march Of free institutions. To neglect this
duty is neglect our country, and to neglect cur
country is to dishOnOr the memory of our fathers
whose sslf-sacr6sing patriotism gave it to us, and
throughustothe generations that to como afterus
Every intelligent citizen must realize upon refee-
tiOn that i is much his duty to q certain extent
70 look after the affairs of the body polite it is
TO look after his corn and wheat. True, the affairs
of the State may get very well without him, but
that does not lessen the amount of individual re-
sponsibity The natural fertility Of the earth and
the refreshing rains from above may bring US fair
crops with but little labor; but then the prudent
husbandman remembers that soil uncared for will
soon be impoverished, or that drought rust may
come along which will sweep away the last hope of
compromised abundance. The great danger to our
republican system of government is the apathy and
indifference of the people, engendered by such di-
vided responsibility as we have. Already we hear
the argument frequently made that the insttentiOn
of the better part Of the people to matters of pub
lie concern shows that our institutions are "too
Democratic" and the prOpriety of limiting power
and responsibility to fewer hands. Whilst We cannot
OOnoeGe the efficacy Of remedy which is worse than
the evil complained Of we Impressed with the con-
vction thaifthe blessings of liberty and free nstitu
tions lost will be- not because thepeo
pie are incapable Of governing themselves but from
that criminal indifference and Neglect of public af-
fairs which enables political oharlatans and sdven-
turers 10 creep into power and, for their ends
and the ends OF their hangers on, to use and
abuse it.
The few, who are seeking by means Of high
tariffs, privileged corporations, and special legsla
tion, to enrich themselves at the expense Of the
many, are ever active. Capital Argus-eyed, is con-
stantIy exercising her selfish influences wherever
there is an to ayarice or pride whilst labor,
uns1specting, and looking solely to the rewards of
honest TOLL is slotbful in matters of public concern
trusting that the government, like the seasons, will
continue to move on by established laws. To use a
figure Of one who was no less q philosopher than
Statesman: "The man who is Bkistling the fur
at the time he is turning in corn TO give bread
to his wife and family, knows but little of what
Is doing here in Washington than a man in South
America. lie does not knoV that they tUhO did
plant corn shall plant again. to take
the best part Of his crop. He does knOg roils has
horses poor because he cannot afford to keep them
haze r.,., m.
las criJ-he does not know this, because they get
the money cut Of him taryfeally." Aad it is in
hundreds Of other respects-the many toll and the
few reap. Thousands sre sweating in their fields |
and workshops to-day to feed the digniaries of |
banking interpretations, who, while they produce |
nothing, seldom fail of means for more rapid aeeu-
mutation than these who do.
There is a struggle nov going on in Tennessee
between Capital and LsbOr-belween Interpretations
and the People 1t is a contest in which no man
can remain neutral It is a contest in which No
patriot should feel willing to remain neutral.
Another period of equal interest may not come up
in an ordinary lifetime. In such a contest there
ian be no Democrat who is not upon The side of the
people But it is net suiii sient to be on the right
,Ide. Our opponents are active. They are fighting
Win Ill ms pulVubAobb ugbPoEAtluu VI
bad cause. They have perfect harmony in their
anks. They are struggling as one They
re uascrupulOus in their mode Of warfare. They
re circulating documents throughout the State
eeking to mislead the unwary. The influence of
he Banks is being felt in every locality.
What is our duty-what is the duty Of the Peo-
lie 2 We should WAKE UP to the importance Of the
truggle. II is but few weeks until the election.
The enemy are in front Surely every Democrat
rho values good government and feels proud of his
Id party, can afford to devote few days or weeks
o their service. Let no man who has the inclins-
ion suppose he can do nothing Every man can
10 something in good cause. Every honest man
sinduence In view of which we appeal to every
me to 60 actively to work. d. not stop to cavil
bout minor differences between Democrats This
g not the time. Do not squabble about the indi-
vidual claims of men-it is too late now for such
hings in this csnyass-TAKE THIS MAN YOU CAN
iLEcT AND ELECT HIM, leaving to future time
he settlement Of grievances. The man is not worth
pinch Of snuff who, when the time for action
once, cannot RISE ABOVE personal dislikes and
srsonal claims, to the higher considerations of
rinciple and country. 1t is not uafrequeutly
atriofs duty, determined by the circumstances
urTounding him, to abandon his first choice and
upport the second. The good soldier in the hour
battle does net stop to complain because bester
o is not in helead bus for the time, looks to the
ngle purpose OF success. And such is the feeling
nat should sctuste the breast of every Democrat l
HARMoNIzR THE PARTY HARMoNIzH THE PAR !
7! The aspiring man who is not willing to make :
,me personal sacrifice for the harmony of his party
i'd the triumph of lis principles can have but little
aim TO public favor. +,
Talk To YOUR NEIcHBoRs See that they are h
oused to the importance Of the issues. Guard =,
EN- against the tricks of the enemy. Guard them q
ainst the secret influences that are at werk,