Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-08-16
From the Lynchburg yirginian-
Tbe late Elections.

The fact is undeniable that the Opposition
have made heavy gains IN all the late cleo
tions in the Southern States. While they
have not been able to carry majority of the
popular vote in the different States. they
have gained to such an extent in the Con-
gressional and Legislative representation as
to have won subs antial victory.
In Kentucky, the vote of the Opposition
candidate for Governor is only few hun
dred less than at the last election, when the
Opposition Candidate was elected by more
than four thousand majority. And yet,
from the tremendous and unaccountable in
crease in the Democratic vote, the Opposition
candidate is defeated. But, in the Con-
gressional delegation. we have made gain
of two certainly, and perhaps three We re-
tain our old Districts, and gain Adams and
Moore, and we ought TO have gained the
Lexington District. A merely nominal ma
jOrity, procured as il is assertt d. by extern
sye frauds in Harrison County, has lost US
the District. If the election be contested. as
we hope will be the case, it is bound to be
decided in our favor.
From North Carolina, also, we have cheer
ing news. We have carried every District
that we seriously contested. In the First
District, where our candidate, two years ago,
was defeated by tbiriy-eight majority the
same gentleman is now elected by majority
of nearly six hundred. Hon. w. n. III. Smith
will make his mark in the next Congress. In
Gilmer's District, notwithstanding the eX-
traordinary and shameful efforts that were
made to turn him out, by representing him
as Freesoier and as being in league with
the Black Republicans, our candidate is re-
turned by majority largely increased. We
have redeemed Scales District, in the face of
a majority of nearly eight hundred against
us-a splendid triumph. The Opposition
now divides with the Democracy the North
Carolina delegation in Congress-the first
time it has been done for eight years. In
the event of the election for President going
into the House of Representatives, this is a
most important circumstance.
But our greatest triumph has been in Ten
nessee. In the last Congress, the delegation
stood seven Democrats TO three Opposition.
Now, the figures are precisely reversed. We
have seven Opposition to three Democrats.
But it is not so much political as personal
triumph. We have defeated Ready, who,
elected as Wing, apOstatised to the Demo
cracy, and was in the field at the last election
as the Democratic candidate. We have de-
feated Smith-a man whom we had supposed
invincible in Tennessee. and undoubtedly the
ablest Democrat in Tennessee delegation. We
have defeated Savage, who, we thought, had
life-estate in Congress. We have defeated
Haynes-one of the most eloquent orators in
East Tennessee-electing in his place, how
ever. man in no respect bis inferior, the
gallant and fearless Nelson. But the crown
ing victory of all is the restoration to Con-
gress of the dashing and intrepid Etherdge
the man most feared of all of them by the
Democracy Of Tennessee, on account of his
bold, independent and manly opposition 10,
and denunciaton of, the many high crimes and
misdemeanors of modern Democracy. Every
effort was made to defeat Etheridge. He was
hated as well feared by his political enc
mics. Against him, too, was raised the I'M
founded cry of AboltiOnism. But man of
Etheridge's honesty, and pluck. and undoubt-
ed talent and eminent social virtues, cannot
be put down--or, if put down. cannot be kept
down. Such man is just as much bound to
rise superior to every obstacle, as the eagle is
to soar above the owl.
Take it all in all, we have won decided
victory in the late elections. In three States
we have gained eight members of Congress,
where we would have been satisfied merely to
have held our own. We secure the balance
of power in the next Congress between the
two sectional parties--a balance of power
which may be exercised emineHtly to the adj
vantage of the country. Moreover, if the
next election for President should go into the
House of Representatives, we shall be tiers
etdt there, which may save the Republic from
an odious Chief Magistrate. On all accounts,
then the Opposition of Virginia extend to
their brethren of North Carolina, Kentucky,
and Tennessee their congratulations upon the
success ole their exertions. They have APP
proved themselves patriots and heroes. They
have demonstrated the existence of conser-
vative party which may be the nucleus for an
organization that will sweep the country at
the next Presidential election. The blow
which Virginia struck in May, nearly causing
her release from the time-worn shackles OF
Democracy has been followed up with the
most decisive effect by her Southern sisters.
Let us take heart from the circumstance, and
pledge ourselves anew to the salvation OF the
country from the evils which have so long
afflicted it.