Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-05-14

We observe that the Democratic press are
making desperate effort to place Col Meth
erland on the defensive by quoting votes
which it is alleged he gave in the Tennessee
Legislature some twenty-six years ago. we
do not know whether be did or not If he
did, the proof is evident that they was in ac-
cordaDce with the will of his constituents.
and the Democracy cannot complain OF bis
obedience to that will without ignoring their
protested principles. Besides. with the ex-
ample of Mr.. Buchanan before him, Col. Meth
erland might easily silence the tongues OF
his assailants by entering a plea of infancy.
The Democracy have admitted the validity
Of that plea so fully that there can be no re-
traction. We do not suppose Col. Neither
land has any idea of availing himself of 1t,
and only made the suggestion to let them see
how easy it would be to get rid of their
charges by following their example. We
suppose our candidate will give little heed to
such attacks. 1t would argue poor general
ship to turn aside from the discussion OF
great questions, upon which the prosperity OF
a nation depends. to defend himself from
paltry personal ordinations.
We have said that we do not know how
much truth there may be in the charges
let them be conceded as broadly as they are
stated in the Union and other Democratic pa
pers. and the whole amount of it is that he
voted against exempting certain property
from levy and sale for an honest debt. The
whole policy or exemption laws at that day
was greatly doubted, and even now, although
they have been generally adopted, their good
effects are by no means so palpable as TO
bring about unanimity of sentiment in their
favor. They have their disadvantages as
we'll as advantages. The poor man who has
nothing which can be levied upon finds it dit-
fcult 10 obtain credit for thecommonest nee
he 10 cd N
sacrifice the horse or the OK which the law
has interposed to protect, to save his family
from starvation
But we have no idea of being drawn into a
discussion upon this subject. The fate OF a
mighty Republic is at stake, and such miser-
able topics are unbecoming the dignity OF
the contest. The policy which has caused q
resort to them il so obvious that we should
be blind indeed if we could not see and avoid
the trap which has been set with so little
skill. To divert attention from their own
misdeeds by bringing charges against the
Opposition candidate-to occupy his time In
defending himself against petty accusations,
and leave him no opportunity OF discussing
national issues, is a trick so familiar to the de-
mocracy that we ought by this time to have
| learned how to meet it, Such charges deserve
no answer, and will receive none, at our
hands at least.
lands opinions upon County matters twenty
six years ago. but what they now are upon
State and National issues. We rave no doubt
il would suit the Democracy excellently well
to carry the trial which is now going on that
far back into the past-the burden of their
own sins would thereby be considerably
lightened. We can not afford to crafty them.
1t is with the present and the future We have
to deal, though we might if we chose turn
~. NJ.
Gus effect upon his opponent. Its only
object is TO show that Governor Harris is the
| friend Of the poor man, and Mr.. Netherland
| is not. Let us look at the facts. Governor
Harris is the supporter and endOrser OF James
Buchanan. In 1924 and 1928, Mr.. Buchanan
voted for tariff which taxed the poor man s
sugar 100 per cent, and his coffee so per
| cent.-it taxed the coarse wooden goods worn
by himself about so per cent, and the calico
worn by his wife and daughters nearly the
same-it taxed the iron necessary to make
his axes, ploughs and hoes about 20 per cent,
and coarse domestic 40 per cent. We have
not the act before ,us and give these items
from memOry, but We know that the are
under, rather than over the mark. Again,
while member of Mr.. Folks cabinet, after
the odious tax upon tea and coffee had been
repealed. he sanctioned recommendation to
restore it. How long wonld poor man have
| a horse or an OK to be levied upon bp an officer
if he was compelled to pay these exorbitant
rates for the most ordinary necessaries OF life!
Again, Gov. Harris is member of a party
| which has recently expended $3.50 90 for a
single mirror to adOrn the Speakers room,
| 5000 for curtains, and $40 fer carpet, be-
sides a long list of equally luxurious furni-
ture of which we intend to give complete
list at future day. All this is wrung from
the pockets of the people by the party which
put Gov. Harris in nomination, and whose
action be is bound to endorse. With what
face then can he talk about being the poor
mans friend, or charge any one class with in
| fidelity to the interests of the laboring class
es There is little charity in allowing a man
a horse, if at the same time you tax him
| enough to absorb all the proceeds of his own
| and his horses labor besides.
We have written more here than we intend
ed and dismiss the subject with the single re-
| mark, that whatever burdens the poor man il
now suffering under are the legitimate fruits
of Democratic policy, and ,re intend 10 prOue ii
-MtmpAiS Enquirer.