Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-07-12
The rriend. or tb. sousb.

The Friends OF the south.
The sham-Democratic leaders and organs
have spent a great deal Of their time during
the present canvass, in magnifying the pre-
tensions of Democracy TO nationality, and in
presenting il as the only party which the
South can trust as the protector and defender
of the " peculiar institution.n This has been
the cry since the slavery question has been a
prominent subject of discussion. All will
remember how it was urged in 1856. that
without the election of Mr.. BUCHANAN.
slavery would be confined within its then ex-
listing iimits-tbat though the Missouri Com
promise had been repealed, the institution of
slavery would so 10 the wall, under the policy
OF any otter administration but that of De-
mocracy-and that The only hope and saliva
ton of the South was to be found in the
triumph OF that party. They are the especial
friends ard the exclusive champions of the
rights OF the South, according to their own
monstrous claims, and all others, are either
its enemies, or in open and active alliance
with its enemies.
Well, Mr.. BUCHANAN was triumphantly
elected, (by the votes of minority of the
people of the Union) and what has been the
result? How have he and the national" De-
mocracy fulfilled their promises, and the ex-
pectations which these promises excited at
the South? What progress has slavery made
towards extension or expansion? Where is
the fruit of this boosted championage of south
ern institutions? Have they added slave
State to the constellation of the Union? On
the contrary, have they not added TWO FREE
STATES to the preponderant North? Min
nesota and Oregon have both entered the
federation under the suspicious lead Of the
Democracy. Through Democratic instru-
mentality they were made free States before
their application for admission, were admitted
as free States under Democratic management,
sent their Democratic representatives TO Con-
gress, to oppose the institutions of the South
whenever it shall become necessary, and are
just as much opposed to slavery extension as
Ohio or Massachusetts,. This fact is conclu-
sively shown in the formation of their State
constitutions. both of which were made un-
This is the protection which the - friends of
the South " give to her institutions-that
which the wolf gives to the lamb.
What other act of friendship does this par
ty propose 10 perform for the South? Do
they propose, after what has transpired, 10
bring Kansas and Nebraska into the Union,
either or both, as slave States? Who expects
itf What Southern mind is so blinded by
party prejudice, or so credulous to profess
sions so often made and so often broken, as
10 believe that another slave State will enter
the Union under the present administration?
Where will it come from? From what soil is
ii to be carved, and by what appliances is it
to be ushered into the galaxy of States? If
there be any such, let them name it. And
until they do name it, let the people of the
South beware Of these specious and oft reter-
ated professions of friendship. Let them
take lesson from the past, and learn at once
to be undeceived by this senseiess cry of pro-
lection and extension Of slavery. Enough is
known to stamp it as an artifce, deception,
a cheat and a humbug. 1t has been forced
upon the people against their Will ana con-
trary to their calm and sober judgments, and
their best interests. 1T is time they Should
rebuke it. They now have an opportunity
IF doing it, Let it be done with All empha-
sis that will be final. The Opposition have
never INDUCED promises that they bad Meth
er expectation nor intention of redeeming.
They have declared they will maintain their
constitutional rights on the subject of slavery.
This pledge they will fulfil. What more do
the Southern people want? What more can
they demand without violation of the con-
stitution, and putting an end practically to
the government? Let, then, all who cherish
the Union, and desire to preserve the consti-
tuition unbroken and unsullied, see that they
are sustained in the appointment of their
servants.