Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-11-12

(which side will the Southern Oppo-
sitIon Take!
Perhaps we have never had a better standpoint
from which to view the tendencies Of political par
ties, than at present He who looks upon the poIisi
cal developments Of the present day, with an idle
Indifference, must possess the stoicism of ZENo, or
lack the patriotic love Of country which should ami
mate the heart of every American. The recent
bloody instruction at Harpers Ferry, is but the ri
pened ruitage of the incendary harangues of North
ern fanatics and the carefully matured writings of
the Northern press. sAs we SOW, SO shall We reap
has been fully verified in the late tragedy at Har-
per's Ferry. For several years past the restless
spirit of Northern aggression has waged perpetual
war on the constitutional rights of the South. They
have laid theirrofane hands the constitution, the
great Magma Charter of rights, and torn from it
those provisions which protect our lives and prop
erty. They have taught in their public assemblies
that there is "higher law" than the Constitution.
They have desecrated the sacred pulpit by inamma-
tory appeals to the fanatical passions of the multi
tude. They have honored those who have violated
the fugitive slave law. They have paid tribute to
/
man who will diEest himself of party prejudice, will
deny but what the recent outrage on the rights of
the South is the legitimate fruits of Black Republic
can principles They stand before the world as the
contamination of Black Republican IDEAS the bitter
fruit of aboltionism.
According to principle in ethics, man is nosonly
accountable for his actions but he IS held response
BILE for the legitimate results of those actions The
man who sits quietly in his own home and plans the
means of taking your life, is as much murderer
as him who plunges the glittering dagger to your
heart. This fact all are ready TO acknowledge Then
who are the real murderers, who the bloody assas-
sins that did the work of death at Harper's Ferryg
They were the leading and controlling spirits of the
Black Republican party. Yes, the blood of slaugh-
tered Virginians cries out from the reeking earth
and says to SEWARD SMITH, GIDBNGs, BEBCIER, and
others: "you are our murderers" "You placed the
weapons of death in the hands of our slayers. You
taught them that Heaven would reward the spirits
of those who imbued their hands in Southern blood.
By your eloquent appeals to our love of freedom,
your fiery anathemas on the slayeowner you infus-
cd into our minds holy zeal and urged on by fan
atheism such warmed the heart of the Crusaders
leaving for the Holy land we, like gallant knights,
commenced a warfare on Southern soil" 1t were
needless TO relate here the signal failure of this IN
surrectisnary enterprise. The country is familiar
with its tragic end. But can we not learn an impor
tant lesson from its teachings Can not that
the outgrOwth of Black Republican principles is in
surroction and civil war?
Then what power can we rely upon to strike down
this hydra-headed monster? Can we rely on the
Southern Opposition to urge a successful war on
the Black Republican theories of government? No
one who knows their political strength will think
victory will perch on their banner Admitting that
the Southern Opposition party is true to the Const
tuition and the Union, what, we ask in all candor,
can they accomplish in the gigantic conflict now
going on between the National Democracy and
Black Republicauism? They are in a hopeless mi
nOrity, and they occupy to-day the most delicate
and responsible position ever occupied by any pO-
litical party in our government Small as they are
they hold the balance of pOwerin popular elections
To which party in the coming contest of 1860 will
they throw the weight of their influence? VIII
they join the crusade with the Black Republicans
against the Constitution and the blood-bought rights
of the South? Are there no hallowed memories
clustering around their Southern homes, which bid
them spurn any political combination whose avOw-
ed mission is the overthrow of the South? We be-
lieve they have wOrshipped too long at the shrine
of the Constitution; think theyeVere too highly
the Farewell Address of Washington, to combine |
with any party based upon a sectional idea.
The necessary result of the triumph of Black Re- |
publican principles is a dissolution of the Union |
This no one well informed political subjects will
have the hardihood to deny. Then the question /
again recurs What side of the great contest of
1863 will the UnionlOving, patriotic Southern OPP
position take? The disastrous defeat of Mr. FILL
aoRE in 1856, and their small representation IN the
next Congress, demonstrates, beyond doubt, that
hey will be powerless to effect any good by dis
inct party organization. Then, their party looks
upon the Dersocratic and Black Republican as each
In evil to our country, the question comes up for
lecison. as TO which is the lesser of the two evils.
This question they win have to decide before the
tribunal of their OWE conscience. We trust, how
yer, the sure and certain results of Black Republic
anism, as seen and developed at Harper's Ferry,
will cause the Southern Opposition to cast their
Otes with the National Democracy. For them to
emain isolated and stand aioof from both parties is
} assist in the election of Black Republican for
resident.
1t is an established fact that Black Republicans
lnnot be defeated by sectional party. Their sec
on Of the Union has the advantage in numerical
rength, and the party which Overthrows them
lust control the conservative vote of the North
is the very fe-breath of Abotionism,
nd for the Southern Opposition with no party
rength in the North to think of vanquishing the
ons of Black Republicanism is an idea at war with
Jason and common sense. The Black Republican
lrty is mammouth organization, and he who ex q
ects to measure arms with it must be able to wear
he aImOr of ACHILLES.
The next Presidential election will be a conflict a
tween sectionalsm and the Constitution. The T
ational Democracy, true to her faith, win array her
rces on the Constitution, and the Abolitonists like
e GOths and Vandals from the North, win bring
eir black legions to the conflict. On which side of
is great decisive battle will the Southern 0ppOs {
On marshal her gallant men TO fight
Wefeel persuaded that in 1856 party fealty will
We way, and more such men as BENJAMIN, STEPHENS,
,oNBs and others will fall into the ranks of DemOc-
CIV, and raise their battle-axe in defence of the
MON and the Constitution. SHIRLEY.