Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-11-22

ND The Cincinnati Gazette of the 18th
inst, replies in q temp crate article TO our
comments upon its views relative to the
union of the Opposition. 1t says
Setting aside the single question of slave
RIVE may safely assume that the cO-opera-
ton so desirable might be readily effected
between the two branches Of the Opposition.
But that fortunately or unfortunately, can
not as every day more clearly demonstrates.
he set aside. The question must be-. met.
IL |, the vital, all-engrossing political topic,
both at the North and at the South, ut the
present time. Here are questions that must
be settled and that will he controlling Issues
in our national politics until they are boldly
met and deliberately disposed OF. Are W.
agreed-you of the Southern Opposition, we
OF the Republican party--as To how these
questions ought TO be settled? Do we think
essentially alike to the conduct of the
present administration on that subject Do
we contemplate the same final results as to
this particular controversy, in seeking the
downfall of the Democratic party?
We presume the Quite expected no other
than a negative response to the leading in-
terrogatory it propOunds. The Northern
and Southern Opposition are not agreed as
10 how the slavery questions shall be set
tied. They may not think essentially alike
rs to the conduct of the present adminisirA-
ton, or rather the object of the conduct Of
the present administration touching slavery
- and yet they may not essentially differ a.
10 the degree Of condemnation which that
conduct merits. The slavery question aside.
the final results contemplated by the two
branches of the Opposition in the downfall
Of the Administration, are not antagonistic
The question of slavery is what stands as a
barrier to their union. Why should this be
so? Why should our contemporary Of She
Goseite trouble himself. or the Opposition Of
Ohio trouble themselves. about slavery. No
party in the South seeks to impose the insli-
tuition of slavery upon him. or them. You
boast of your domestic Institutions - keep
them; the Southern people do not intend,
nor do they desire. to interfere with them.
We ask to he let alone in the same way. II
we choose to have slavery and to think it
good thing let us enjoy our preferences as
you do you're. undisturbnd by any interior
snce on your part Say you: " So you shall,
"a The Stairs; but the territories shall be dedi-
Gated to our system" Now. were the South
ern Opposition to say to you d" Retain your
institutions In the States already free from
slavery, but in the territories our domestic
institution of slavery shall prevail YOU
wonld regard 1t as unjust and sectional. l.
We had the power to force slavery, in accord
ancc with such determination, upon all the
territories and the States formed of them.
you would resist an attempt To exert Oh"
power ms an encroachment upon your rights
ss co-equals In the Confederacy. You would
he far, very far, from cooperating with any
party so given up to sectionalism. Yon
would deem ID an insult to be asked 10 CO.
operate with such a party. A. equals with
YOU In the confederacy. the Southern people
claim the right To go into the terrltories-thc
common property OF the Government-and
wherever they can, in the competition OF
settlement. TO Introduce their peculiar in-
situations, and TO build up Slave States.
You have the advantage OF a redundant free
population to spare, but II you beat Us ic
fixing the character. by settlement, OF new
States we shall not complain IL the eur
the loss will be ours. Why cannoI the OPP /
position. North, agree with us to trust the |
future rection of free and slave States Ia |
this process. and thus take the slavery ques-
ton out of party discussion and the Halls Of /
Congress; and pave the way for the utter /
annihilation Of the sham democracy. You /
answer that WASHINGTON and JEFFERSON. and |
MADISON, and others, of the sages " ho founded |
our institutions, did no; deem IL wrong. or /
sectional, TO prevent the extension Of slavery. |
With the greatest respect aud reverence for |
the opinions Of those illustrious men, We re- (
ceive them as only opinions. There is a |
great principle Of RIGHT underlying the |
whole controversy, and by il We choose TO BE- |
governed and not by the opinions OF men.
however good and great We do not
ask the national government to exert iis
power to extend slavery 10 the territories. |
Ne claim that 1. Is our r,gAt 70 carry IL !