Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-12-26
MIR. Crittenden.
New YORK. Dec. %.

NEW lnkk. Dtcs LIZ
The New York Herald publishes report
of the speech of Senator Crittenden at the
The conference Of the Opposition, held at
Washington on Tuesday night. So
Hereferred TO the failure of the House TO
organize. This profracted delay presents
spectacle that ia painful TO the country. He
did not pretend to say where the repT zach
lies. The position of the South American
members has been embarrassing. They have
earnestly sought the line of duty. and it
seemed to him that knowing nothing of The
purposes Of the two leading parties of the
House. they did wisely to nominate their own
man and TO adhere to that nomination. Ii
is a question whether they shall continue to
do SO till the end of the contest. He felt that
ground that is good 10 stand on will do to
fall on. But, looking away from this con-
test and abroad over the country. we find
much to distress every true patriot in the
present state of the public mind. confess
that never before in my life did feel such
anxiety for the fate of the Government. |
have never believed it possible that could
bring nv mind tn the deliberate purpose Of
pulling down this great fabric. do not think
any of us have reached that point, and though
we should think so. am constrained to think
that when we come to the attempt. we should
tnrR in horror from the work think of il
what is the dread purpose? 1t is one too
great. too rash for any mind fully to compre
bend. hardly dare think of il. If we could
nvertnrn the Allegheny iairs it would
shock all this land as by an earthquake. but
10 overturn this Government it would be
mountains upon mountains falling. Ii would
send shock throughout the civilized world.
No calamity that ever fell upon the nations
Of the earth would spread such borrOr among
men as the falling in ruins of this republic.
] cannot believe that we are on the verge of
such q mighty calamity. j trust, aye. and |
believe that God in his providence will watch
over and preserve my country.
There is an earnest complaint of aggres-
sion, of threats # instructions the Dor
ders of some of our States, and John Browns
d eeds at Harper's Ferry have shown that this
il no unreal grievance. And whence does it
come, We find certain deludcd people in
the Northern States that indulge in mourn
ings over slavery, and they intersperSe their
lamentations With psalms and prayers. and
by appeals 10 their consciences which
hurt. they say. by our sins-what folly? Do
not these people know that the Lord does not
hold them accountable for our sins. These
dcindod people at the North are making
much mischief, but let us remember that there
will be mischief makers found in every cOun-
try-let us hope that this evil will find a
r; medy, let us hope that This popular delu-
s,on will be temporary, will pass away, and
a sound and fraternal spirit return; let us
try to have it resolved; LIT US try to make
our Northern brethren love us again; to this
end let us be patient and forbearng. | can
not believe that the great heart OF the people,
North or South. has upon il the gully stain
of treachery to this Union. | cannot believe
the people OF the North have no love for the
Government for which our and their fathers
fought aud hail the recent Union meetings
which have been held there as Signals of that
returning love for us.
Let us receive them az brothers, and, with
a grateful spirit. let us encourage them, and
we will yet find that the earnest and faithful
spirit of our Northern brethren will be our
surest protection and our defense against all
aggression. | 90 not say that if We should
be disappointed in this the time may not
come when the bands of the Union must of
necessity be broken, but | doubt even that.
l cannot see that any evils that befall us
would be less out OF the Union than in it.
l don't know. indeed. that they would not
lie even wore; The power that Expresses
in the Union would be no heavier out, and
even il the worst came to the worst. be-
lieve would rather do little fighting IN
the Union than on: of il. Laughter and
apI lause.l five should 60 out of the Union
we should Gel tainly not attempt to take the
stars aud stripes with u; We should have TO
leave them behind, and / am sure | could
never feel like IA soldier under any o her flag
than that. [Applause.1 ii we must fight,
let us stay in the Union and charge upon
those that Cypress us; that they are trying TO
set aside the Union by going out of it. [ APP
planse.l To destroy The Union is the 'ely
iast thing we should ever think of. for il we
GGce break it down who shall rebaild il
again? Let us observe justice. aud thu- shall
We preserve the Union; and my sentiments is,
let lake of the Union and the Union
will take care of us.
In conclusion, the speaker was greeted
with long and continued applause.