Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-10-26
Disunion Programme.

The Charleston Mercury having been Ere
peatedly asked to give programme of
measures which the Southern States might
adopt in the maintenance of their rights in
connection with the next Presidential cleo
tion," makes the following " Suggestions"
/. Let the Legislatures Uf the Southern
States, at their next meetings, distinctly de-
clare the rights of the South, as plainly
deducible from the bred Scott case, accom-
panied with a resolution that they will vote
for no one for the Presidency or Vice-Presi-
deucy of the United States. who does not
plainly and distinctly affirm and support
them without non-committalism, lodging or
eQuivocation. L1 49,
q Should the Charleston Convention de-
clare and affirm these rights, and nominate
candidates Tor the Presidency and Vice
Presidency who distinctly support them, then
the Southern States will support such candi-
dates; and should they be elected, proof will
be afforded thai the South may continue with
safety in the Confederacy.
3. But should the candidates for the Presi-
dency and Vice-Presidency, thus fairly nomi
mated by the Charleston Convention be de-
feated in the residential election, and the
Republican or Abolition party succeed in
electing their candidates, then the Southern
Legislatures, as soon thereafter az they shall
obSCCHSiftIy tORcbutT, euOul0 ltCull
their Senators and Representative from the
Congress of the United States, and invite the
cooperation Of their sister Southern States
to devise means for their common safety.
4. But should the Charleston Convention
refuse to declare and affirm the rights of the
South, as deducible from the bred Scott case,
or nominate candidates who will not affirm
and support them, then let the Southern
States nominate and support candidates OF
~ t.s, ..,I.3
and supporting their rights.
5. Should the Southern States succeed in
electing- their sectional candidate, thus
nominated, of course they will deem 1t
sufficient proof for the present of their safety
in the Union.
6. But should the Southern States fail in
electing the sectional candidates thus nomin
ated, then let the same course be pursued as
has been suggested in case the Democratic
party be defeated with candidates standing
on the rights of the South, aud the Black Re-
publican or Abolition candidates to be
elected"
We trust the disunionists will respond
boldly to the Mercury, and make the issues
suggested. 1t is desirable that the Southern
people should have an opportunity afforded
them to distinguish between the real and
pretended friends of Southern rights, and to
place their heels upon the serpent disunion
as they have done heretofore when its head
was reared in their midst. The time has not
yet come when the masses of the South can
be dragooncd into the support of movements
designed to break down the Federal Govern
ment because the nominees of any party are
not successful. or because those Of another
party hostile 10 them are elected in accord
ance with the Constitution. 1t would be the
height of absurdity to expect them to yield
to such thing because of the defeat of the
democracy by the republicans, the offspring
of democratic policy. They don't intend to
be guilty of any such folly; and all they
want is an opportunity to show ultra-men
what they will do.