Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-04-12
The Ninth District.

| Inc Cnton and -AHlerIcrsl in noticing the
denomination of Gen. ATKINS by his party
as its candidate for Congress in the 9th dis
| trict, INDUCES in extrayagant laudation of
| his Congressional career, and of the signal
| devotion which he has manifested in the cause
OF the Southern democracy, and of his
ability and gallantry in general; but par
tlcularly, is it unctuous and eXultant over
his election two years ago, when the Hon.
| EMERSON ETHERIDGE was has competitor.
OF ATKINS its praise is fulsome AID unmerit-
ed of ETHERDGE its abuse is severe, unjust
aud vindictive. Gen. ATKINS is 4 very clever
gentleman, of popular and engaging manners,
endowed with fair order of abilities, and is
only exceptionable in regard to his Democra-
cy in general, and the extreme Southernism
which he deemed it his duty to espouse, when
he took his seat in Congress, as the member
returned in the stead of one who had received
more than his share of that kind of abuse,
which sectionalists in the South, as well as in
the North, always pour out upon the heads of
conservative, national men. We have no
doubt that he made many personal friends in
figured as a "bright particular star" in that
gay society, but not more bright than brief
was his course. The signs are that he will
have an early setting. In contrast intellec-
tually with ETHERDGE he is pigmy; in The
elements of craftsmanship comprehensive.
conservative and national he is far his inferior.
In the return of Mr.. ETHERIDGE to Congress
genial fellows will lose Il boon companion.
in Mr.. ATKINS and the cause of sectionalism
an advocate of valiant port, and of much and
Understanding talk; but the country will
have gained the services of an able states
man, and the supporters of wholesome
and judiciOus policy brilliant and powerful
ally.
Our object in referring to this matter
however, was to scrutinize the merits of the
great and Wanted victory which it is contend
ed was acquired two years ego by General |
ATKINS over Mr.. ETHERIDGE. In the nine
counties composing that Congressional dis |
trict, Gov. HARRIs's majority over Col. |
HATTON was 657. Gen. ATKNs's majority |
was l27. 1t is thus seen that this young
as the recipient OF such an ovation of con-
CALCULATIONS on his arrival at Washington,
fell behind his ticket $50 votes. Those who
'ejOice over ETHERIDGE's defeat are welcome
20 all the honor which can be found in that
act. The causes of Mr.. ErHERIDGEs failure
were well known in the district. In several
If the counties which were largely Wing
here was not a thorough canvass, both he
md his friends relying upon the usual turn
'ut. If it had been deemed necessary To
ecure his election, the same exertions would
ave been made all over the district, and he
would have undoubtedly been returned to
congress.
/ was through an oversight then, that our
hivalrous friend obtained an opportunity to
ir his vocabulary in the halls of Congress,
nd strut the hero of an hour. 1t will not
ccur again however, and whatever character
e may have been ambitions of making, as an
ltra and intense defender OF Southern rights,
nay be found by future curious inquirers, in
he journals of '57-S and '5S-9. "No mention
lore" will be made of him.
EMNERsoN ErHERIDGE, despite the obloduv
'hich has been heaped upon him, by the see
onal press at the South as q traitor 10 his
,ction, and trucker to the fanaticism of
mother section is neither the one nor the other.
lie is true patriot OF the CLAY and WEBSTER
,hool. of gallant and fearless spirit, of in-
omitable courage in the maintenance OF the
ght, and Of an intellect Of the first order
4 all the requisites of a statesman he is sec
nd to none of the rising men of the Nation,
IT be is yet comparatively young. The
,lendid qualities Of the man has made him a
inning mark for the shafts of his political
lemies. They know his power aud fear the
ture that is in him. But the implacable en-
ity of his opponents has only the more en-
Jared him 10 his admirers. He is an honor
his State, aud the pride and champion of
: party. or his success this summer we
I'VE no doubt.