Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-07-16
SATURDAY, JULY 16, 1859.
Gov. Harris as a Statesmen.


Our readers will bear witness that We have
uniformly accorded to Gov. HARRis all the |
qualities of an estimable gentlemen, and a /
measure Of ability above mediOcrity. We /
have detracted nothing from his character as
a heightened and chivalrous gentleman, and |
do not intend to. But we have over-estimated |
his powers and abilities as Statesman. We |
have been deceived both in his knowledge of |
the principles Of Government, and the COM
prehensiveness of his views in respect to their |
practical application and operation. A more |
careful review of his career, shows that we |
have committed an error in ascribing to him |
any of those exalted qualities which mark |
the true statesman and distinguished him |
from the politician. The Two characters are
almost wholly diverse 1t most generally
happens, especially of late years, that the
politician is eminently successful in bis own
advancement, and but little so in promoting
the great interests of the commonwealth,
while the profound statesman is more distin-
guished by what he accomplishes for the
State, than for what he achieves for himself
The fame and the glory of the latter is purely
Incidental; it lives after he dies and hallows
his memory in the hearts of his countrymen.
That of the former is directly personal. and
dies when he dies. The one is fane-the
other, notoriety. The one looks to the future
as it is approached through the pathway of
the present-the other has but single eye
and that beams exclusively on the present,
regardless of the future. Usually the states
man is deficient in the attributes of the poll
tican-almOst Always the politician is deficient
in the attributes Of the statesman. Both are
endowed with abilities, but vastly different in
their order.
Gov. HARRIS is prominently politician.
In the Legislature and in Congress his career
is singularly barren. He has been content to
fall into the lines of safe party precedents,
and follow in the lead of others at cautious
and safe distance. de has never, within our
knowledge. originated measure OF principle
or been the leading champion of measure
of policy. All his acts in these fields seem to
have been prompted by prudent reagard for
the interests of number one. He has exhibi-
ted a never-varying watchfulness to keep his
own skirts clear, whatever might happen.
His achievements are all negative His merit,
such as it is, consists not in doing any great
good, but in not doing any great harm. He
never committed great blunder, because he
never risked the responsibility of attempting an
act of great wisdom. The track he has pur-
sued is well-beaten One-and he has en-
countered nothing outside of it,
In his canvass two years ago for the seat he
occupies, he displayed a shrewdness in debate
which proved formidable, and perhaps render
ed him successful, though in reality we esteem
his competitor in that race as his superior in
the higher powers of argument As Govern
or, for the past two years, he has not improv-
ed upon his course a legislator. His in
augural and messages are emrently common
place. There is nothing to be found in either
above tie milk-and-cider craftsmanship of the
newspapers. He followed, at respectful
distance, in the footsteps of his immediate
predecessor on the subject of the currency =
reiterated some of the hackneyed tenets of
the party which had elevated him to place
and the remainder of his acts could have al
most been performed by an automaton. His
friends state, in most felicitous phrase, that
his political adversaries cannot point to SIN
gle Objectionable act that he has performed
But they fail TO recount any Official act which,
either now or hereafter, will live TO make his
name admired.
But his present canvass for reelection has
brought out in still holder relief his distin-
tinguished traits. 1t has served to establish
fully his lack of those high qualities which
belong to the statesman. Take his speech, as
delivered in this city at the outset, which has
been substantially repeated ever since.
What is it! On the slavery question it is an
elaborate eulogy of the national Democ-
racy," and a labored effort to prove that his
adversares in Tennessee are In league with
the abolitionists. Now, he knows that the
Democratic party differ ON the proper rule
for the government of the territories in re-
spect to slavery. He has learned, from events
occurring within the last two years, that
there is a portion Of his party who hold that
the people Of the territories have sovereign
power over this subject. and others who hold
that they have not this power-and he also
knows this difference is widespread, and that
unless it is healed, the party win be power
less to protect or defend the institution of
slavery in Congress or out of Congress. But
we do not find Gov. HARRIS, as a bold and
fearless statesman, taking his position on
either side OF this question. or taking new
position which will enable the party to unite,
and give the public confidence in its ability
and disposition to protect the rights of the
people. Not he-it is not in keeping with
his character or his habits.
In the matter Of the public expenditures be
defends his party by an attempt at re~rimina-
tion-thus placing himself in the absurd posi-
tion Of justifying one wrong by another.
On the subject OF the currency, what Is his
positionf Al a time when the ancient policy
OF the state is to be perpetuated, or radical
and violent Innovations made upon il, how
stands Gov. HARRIS! Unable to strike out a
policy Of his own, he called, in September
last, . meeting Of n number OF his dis
tinguished party friends, who agreed upon q
line Of policy 10 be pursued on this subject
He yet will not stand fairly and squarely on
this. He will scarcely hazard An opinion OF
his own, unless he entertains assurances thai
il will not be unpleasing to the majority, for
the time being. We are fully persuaded that
he is In favor Of q hard-money currency, and
for taking the quickest steps 10 establish il
in Tennessee. yet be has failed TO give can
did and manly exposition OF his views TO that
effect. He has lodged and evaded such ex-
position from the opening OF the canvass 70
present. He has shown a lack OF moral
courage 10 face the question In Ice direct al