Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-04-10
uon \, nc, AtIxins,

Hon. j. ID. C. Atkins.
The Democratic Congressional Convention of the
ninth District, which assembled 10 Trenton on the
4th instant, has again called this gallaet champion
into the field. Gen. ATKINS was nominated by &C,
clamation, and he merited the high compliment he
has received.
When two years ago the news spread through the
land, that ETHEEIDGE was defeated it carried dis
may into the ranks of his abolition allies of the
| North. Next to BLAIR, of Missouri, ne occupied
the first place in their affections. He had won
their esteem by his treachery to his own section
and his own constituents. They had regarded him
as invincible. They had looked forward to lis
election as a triumph of Black Republieanism in the
heart of Southern State. They would have pointed
to il with pride as evidence that the freemen of
Tennessee we're ready to abandon their constitutional
rights and bow subsequently to the dominion of the
North. But they we're not permitted to exult in
such a triumph. Tennessee was not to be subjected
to this bitter rsproach. The proud spirit of her
lon>hearted sons refused 10 submit to such humla-
ton They remembered the deeds Of their heroic
ancestors, and resolved that the black flag of abo-
tionism should not float over the soil which had
their valor. They rallied in their strength and
mUned the insOlent usu-per to the combat.
But leader was to be chosen able to cope with a
foeman at once artful insidious and INSCRIPTIONS
man must be found who could not only meet him
successfully in the open field but defeat his articles
and drive him from his smbuscades. There was
such a man in their midst-A youthful patriot
whose modest merits had not escaped in his retires
ment, the esteem and admiration of his eountrymen
Raised among them, they knew that he was to be
trusted with the guardianship of their rights. They
knew that he would preserve the homer Of his State
and his constituents as faithfully he had pre-
served his own They knew him to be bold, cour-
ageous and successful for he had led the Democracy
to victory in many hard fought battle. His heart
never ouailed in the face of danger,-his sagacity
had never been deceived. He was the man whom
they needed, and he come at their call. When they
placed MIN at the head of the glorious old Demo-
cratic column, they felt that victory was certain.
His manly and intrepid bearing inspired them with
confidence and courage that nothing could resist.
He went boldly forward TO the encounter. He
sternly confronted his antagonist and demanded of
him tie surrender of the trust which be had be-
trayed. He conquered; he was obliged to conquer.
The false and treaeherous fOeman was driven from
the field and ATKINS was triump hsntly sustained.
We well remember with what joy the announce.
ment of General ATKINS election was received by
the Democracy of our own and other States. We re-
member how true uniOn-loving men in every part of
the country exulted in his triumph. We remember
too for we CHANGED TO witness the honest enthusiast
with which the old grey haired statesmen of the
party, welcomed him into their ranks, on his arri>
val at the Federal Capitol. Young as he was, he
had redeemed his district from the grasp of aboli-
tionism and defeated its ablest champion in the
South. No warrior loaded with trophies of nations
subdued by his sword, ever achieved such con-
quest None ever wore his laurels more modestly
or meekly when the nations great men gathered
around him to congratulate him on his victory.
The Black Republicans mortified and chagrned
at the defeat of their favorite, could not conceal
their establishment and indignation, that ErHERDGE,
the inviucible ETnERIDGE as they thought him. had
been vauquished by the youthful STRIPPING who
stood before them. But when they encounter
ed him in debate or met him in the commit
tee room, they learned the secret Of his suc-
cess. No man ever gained reputation more "a
pidly than did Gen. Atkins from the time of his en-
tering upon his official duties until the close of the
asst session Always in his place, always viglsnt |
of the interests of his constituents he regarded
with admiration by his friends and dreaded by his
enemies The South had no truer or ADLER champion |
on the floor of Congress His speech in favor of the
admission of Kansas was acknowledged to be one of
the powerful and effective efforts of the session,
and the sound conservative views which he express
ed placed him in most favorable contrast with his
rrcesol competitor. The Democracy of bis District
appreciate his services and will consent 10 his
tirement from his position. Mr.. ETHERIDGE will
again be his competitor and the sboiitioniss of
North looking at the contest with the deepest
interest in its result. Should the young champion
of Democracy be defeated by his artful adversary,
there would be such e1ultation and rejoicing among
them ss has never been known since FRANK BLAIR
was first returned to Congress from the city of St.
Louis But this cannot be. The people of the
ninth District will never consent to be represented
by an ally of the Abolitionists.