Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-11-15
Union of the Opposition.


We republish, in another column, an article
from the Cincinnati Gdzdte, responsive to an
editorial of the PATRIOT. We republish it
that our readers may see what one of the
must temperate of the Republican journals
regards as necessary 20 a thorough union Of
the Opposition to the democracy.
We wish to see the defeat OF the demo-
cratic party in 1860. That party has had
possession of the government, until it ap
pears 10 think it has an imprescriptable right
90 power. Ithas become most intolerant and
proscriptive. If it ever had any claims to
honesty and purity. it has long ago forfeited
thems There never existed q party more
corrupt; none so INSCRIPTIONS in every re-
spect, or so repugnant to The conservative
sentiment of the country. 1t ought to be
driven into disgraceful retirement. The OPP
position OF the South desire to take an active
part In accomplishing an object 80 necessary
% the good OF the country. They have.
therefore, looked to a union of conservatives
In 1860, upon a basis which, while il rejected
sectionalism of all shades, would still furnish
ground sufficient for all who really desire a
But If the Gazetfe expresses the sentiments
o. the more moderate element OF the Re
publican party, the Opposition, South, really
have nothing to hope for from them. 1t is
impossible for US to cooperate with any
party upon the basis of opposition to the ex-
tension OF slavery. Southern men have too
much regard for their constitutional rights,
too much seli-Fespect, to enlist under the
banners of any such organization.
If the slavery question is to take prece-
denee of all otbers-if it is TO be tie issue in
the next canvass for the Presidency-tbe
Southern Opposition are necessarily pre-
cluded from taking sides with those who de-
nand that our territories shall be free. Upon
that issue there is but one voice in the South
the few who would favor the abrdgemrnt
nr our rights are too insignificant to waste
thought upon. 1t is best for Northern men
to understand this now. They must not cal
culate upon divided South. Upon this great
issue which involves our constitutional ri ghts,
our privileges rs co-equals in the COnfeder-
acy, there can be no division. The South is
n unit aud although her people may differ
upon other questions. they will stand on this
shoulder to shoulder, determined to resist all
aggressions.
The Republicans make a great mistake if
they believe that, because they have carried
the North in the recent State elections, they
will be able to elect a President upon their
sectional platform. They failed in 1856,
when the contest opened under auspices not
less favorable, and they viii! fail again. A
sectional republican candidate cannot be
elected President Of the United States. The
South united can always get States enough
in the North to cooperate with her and de-
feat the election of a merely sectional candi-
date In contest for the Presidency the
people are less subject TO local prejudices and
measures, and are not so apt 10 be led estray.
They must then steadily regard the conse-
quences Of the exercise OF the right Of suf-
frage, aud accordingly feel with greater force
the responsibility which rests upon them.
They must look beyond the policy of the
State to that of the nation. They see and
feel the perils of sectionalism, and are less
apt to do violence TO their duty as citizens
of common country with the men of the
South, whose local institutions they may not
favor. II the Gdzene does not see and appre
eiate this now. it will after the defeat of its
party in 1860.