Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-02-03

The American Statesman who would progress
safely in the science Of political government, is
not unlike the mariner who explores an unknown
sea- Even in the midst Of the placid waters,
under the most suspicious sky, aud with the most
prosperous gales he should anchor and take his
reckoning of hefh wind and current,
WHITTIER ARR We TEEDTEG2 is a question cften
propouBded in political circles. Il is generally
asked by politicians whose little barks have been
shipwrecked upon the shoal Of expediency; for the
man who pursues principle, although he msy for q
time sink beneath the wave Of popular sentiment
viii surely rise again. Right principles never lead
to wrong results. have no solicitude whatsver to
know whittier We are tending faras The great
national psrty, with which stand identified is con-
eeFned lis past history is to my mind snficieat
guarantee Of what its future will be. But whittier
are the Opposition parties tending, for there are
several factions Of themf
The history Of American politics presents two
distinguishing and lead ng facts One is, that
there have never bee but swo political parties ia
ihis country fOrmidably contending for the mas
terry at the same time. The other 10, thatthe Dem
ste party has always been one OF these. while
the Opposition party has changed its name and
principles 10 suit the temper Of the times. The one
is party Of expediency, while the other IS par
ty Of principle; the advocates the Interests Of
the few at The expense of the many; The other ad
yocaes the greats st good to the greatest number;
the the interests of favored classes the
other sGs aims the interests and rights Of e. peo
pie. Tae one is founded in high Federal arstecfa
cy; the ether is the offspring Of Democracy The one
is 81, led the peoples party" while the other is
the party Of the people The grounds of difference
between these two parties we're plainly defined by
the respective administrations Of the elder Adams
and Thomas Jefferson; difference so broad aud
deep thati it struck to the very bats Of government
itself II is refreshing in these days Of political de
generaey TO return 70 the original fountains of
ia fofh o Land
views of Federalism and Democracy become more
vivid and distinct the nearer We approach the p:im
Tive days of the Republic
The Adams or Federal party favored a strong
consolidated and central Government; q Govern
ment or nation Of peorle viewing The States ia the
light Of dependencies or provinces; while toe JEFF
fersonian or Democratic party regarded the central
Government as q Union of free, sovereign, and in
dependent States as limited derivativs sovereign
fy IS a commissioned agent, with no powers ouly
those expressly delegated and nominated in the
Federal Constitution. The one adhered 10 a strict
construction of that instrument, the work of great
good and patriotic men; the other would construe
it latitudiBously FINDING grant Of power in
graft upon the policy of the country almost any
measure which expediency might suggest, or ambi-
ton demand, although in clear violation Of its letter
and spirit, and often Of doubtful utility.
Of these might mention various instances long
since exploded, and against which the fat of the
American pie has been unmistakably pronounced.
The shades even of United States Bank and dis
tribution and their kindred brood Of political her
estes, DO not now enter within the walls Of the Cap
itol But ! will forbear to exhume these buried
Memories over which the mantle of oblivion has
been long since thrown by the hand of the nation,
further than they may serve TO illustrate the argu
ment | am about TO submit
As Representative OF a southern constituency,
with heart whose every pulsatioa beats jealousy
for the honor of my beloved section, in the Union,
cut Of IT, should live to that evil hour, there
ole truth Of which / am earnestly convicted
and that is that the South "owes the Illiad of all
her woes to this Observation-Disclosures eonstruc
tiOn of the Constitution. And declare here tO>dsy
if this Union is ever dissoyed-if that bright
particular star" shall disappear from its central po
sition, and 60 darkling through chaos no more to
light the nations of the earth in their march 10 civ
iization and constitutional liberty, the historian
must date its decline to this unfortunate and fatal
principle.
Mr.. Chairman, it is my purpose to show that the
Democratic parry has administered this Governt
ment successfully and prosperously, and in strict
accordance with the Constitution. Aud that the
inequality that has from time TO time, crtpt into
the Federal legislation Of the country has been ef
feeted by the Opposition party during the oeca-
sional intervals when it in power, and VIII
the Democracy failed to have working majority
that inequality being always unjust oppressive
10 the South. In other words, that the Democratic
ance of southern rights and southern honor. True,
in almost every contest 10 which the equality of the
Southern States with their Northern sisters has
been brought in question, a small portion Of the
Noitbern Democracy have hang fire, and, in some
few instances, taken shelter in the camp of the en-
emy-but still the records of the country testify that
the great body Of il has been firm and true 20 the
integrity Of the Constitution, while the Oppose
tiOn, / care not by what name they are designated
are the unyielding enemies of our constitutional
rights and equality. l alude to the N, rihern
wing Of the Opposition-the southern wing of the
late Wing parry was largely in the minOrity-and
though it had the good of the country in view yetit
vas 20 weak and powerless it fell an easy victim
to the cOrruptions of its powerful northern
allies. And though for some time they presented
the strange anomaly of acting together yet the two
parts we're vitality repugnsnt to each other-the |
lesser borne along by the greater body through
The prejudice and influence of the party name and
party machinery, until southern Wings could 90 no
further, without dishonori9g their section and de-
grading themselves. In that long list are found /
he names of some of the pursst pairiots-Jhe |
wisest statesmen-and the most exalted intelleols /
Of the Land.
The same is true of the American party, which
IS My another form of opposition to the Democra-
", with this difference, thst there is a wing of it
n the South which boldly proclaims its purpose to
Affiliate and unite with the Black Republican party
n the overthrow of the Democratic party, and are
10 doubt daily laying their plans, and making their
reaties of amity and union But will treat of
his hereafter.
What has been the effect of Democratic policy
lpon the history of this Republic, whether CONNER
tally. politically, or socially? How have the rights
# The South Jared under Democratic Administra-
ions? And what has been the policy of the Op.
'osi ion in reference TO the came great inter
SITS!
1, has always been cardinal principle of the
Democratic parry TO oppose all moDopoliCs and class
agisa ion not only because they are wrong in
rlncIle, but because thsy are invariably operated
nequaly upon the people For this service the
outh hould be peculiarly grateful, the discrimi
alton is always against that assertion. WhatSvuth-
rn statesman does not know that the North has
lways had the advantage Of the South in the laws
nd treaties regulstirg the commerce of the United
iates with foreign baiiODs! What natural Law of
OmmeIce, or in other words, what rule Of justice
ompels southern merchants TO buy ships of north>
m ship builders, instead of purchasing in the
aeapesL marked, although it be a foreign one +?
hat natural Law of Commerce compels our cotton
go By New York before il can lie shipped for
liverpool, submitting to the most onerous cossting
ii gifts when it would be nearer it's port OF desti>
alton at Charleston or Savannah Why do our
orhern merchants, and northern ports, reap al
osl the entire benefit from the tonnage OF The
niled States.
The House will remember how the gentleman from
assachusetts MIR. Burlipgame was exercised
W d Iys since fvr fear that this monopoly, which,
our navigation laws, is secured TO New England
erch lnls would be restricted. The gentlemen ad-
tilted that 'ships could be built thirty per cent.
eaEcr in the British Provinces than in the
lited ates and he commended that every interest
Iadr anfiO fhoh l1 /