Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-10-25
What is our DutyI

What is our Duty!
In the three slave States of Kentucky, Tennessee
and Virginia which have been regarded as debata-
BILE ground in consequence of the persistence of Mr.
DOUGLAS friends in running him against all chance
or even hope of carrying one of them, we observe
it is now contended by the BELI-EvERETr party that
they should cast their votes for Mr. BELL to discour
age a dissolution of the Union. This now seems to be
the pivot upon which all their appeals to the people
to sustain them, mainly rest. We do not think the
point well taken or susceptible of successful de-
fence. If the Southern States which, it is al
legged, contemplate a secession from the Union, in
the event of LINCoLNs election, should cast their
votes for BRECKRRIDGE and LANE, Of which there is
no reasonable doubt and the States of Virginia,
Kentucky and Tennessee should vote for BELL,
which have the strongest reason for disbeleving
would that check the spirit of disuniOn in the for
mer States 1t is well to deal with it as a prac-
ucal question, for so it has become The Opposition
press say it will. On the other hand we main
tain the contrary proposition. The platform
upon which Mr.. BELL stands Of 1.-THE Union the Con-
stitution and the enforcement Of the Laws" is
vague, indefinite, and meaningless. 1t maintains
nothing that LINCOLN will not be required to swear
to support if he should be elected President 1t de-
clares no specific principle which the South wishes
TO maintain and announces, no construction of the
Constitution that guarantees her rights. 1t proposes
no antldote or safeguard against Black Republican
rule, which would serve as q defence and nuclues
for the South against Abolition aggressions.
To illustrate by figure, this platform is like hold
ing out the flag of truce in the face of advancing
hostile army, which has announced its purpose to
subjugate or destroy US. In addition to this, Mr..
BELLS political record has not been such to win
the confidence of the large body Of Southern men.
To this he has referred the people for satisfactory
explanation of his position. When they come to
study his antecedents and to examine his votes they
are not inspired with the faith that Is required for
their leader in such an emergency. On the CON
trarv. some of the most noted OF the Black Bcpub-
lican leaders have manifested a complacency to-
wards his career in Congress, which has not weak
ened the disrust OF the people of the South although
his friends and supporters affect to at the idea
of any mere compliments of GREELEY THAD STEVENS.
and JAMES WATSON WEBB damaging his position If
Mr. BELL had Away been bold and unequivocal in adj
vocating Southern rights, such might avail.
But inasmuch as he has failed to secure that
doubted position of a fixed determination to stand
by and maintain the rights Of his section at every
hazard. they will avail him nothing In crisis, like
the present when the fortunes of the Republic seem
crumbliug beneath the power Of fanaticism and
spirit of sectional aggrandzement 1t would scarce
" alleviate the feelings Of the more Southern States
or appease the lust of power in the hearts Of the
Northern party to know that portion of the South
States hal cast their for the Senator who in
1850 in his place in the Senate. said
TO. N,r
friends that in the South and Southwest there Is
body of men, who. for long period, have con-
tinued faithful and Just 10 them; SUSTAINING mem
IN their FANORITE POLICY through crcry rtclSS-
tJule Of political fortune: body of men Of liberal
and catholic views of national policy. who look be
vond the limited horizon of sectional interests,
spuru the influence Of sectional prejudice, and en-
brace the whole Union as their common country
..yybiIr the protracted domination Of the South
which has been so long and SO kccnly felt at the
North. was always more imaginary than real. no
Southern man ever having attained the Presidency
except by the concurrence, ottenumes, OF more
than hs5f and always Of a large division Of the
North: vet now il cannot be disguised that the
period Of Southern asccndancy-H ever It had a
real existence approaches IFS end. Political pow
ct. and asCCldlnCy, in sectional view, nave al
ready passcl away from the south forever. and
this is 50 manifest that Senator who spoke IN
this debate could not fOrbcar taUnting the South
with the prospect of their declining fortunes \
great change had taken place IN the political Nocab
uarv 1t Is no longer, he eNulungly eNcalnls, the
South and the North il is now the North ana the
South.
Would Rot the vote for BELL, OF any Southern
State. under such circumstances, while it would be
regarded bv the dominant Northern party as
tmid shrinking from the issues they have made
with the South a graceful surrender Of our princI-
pies and our rights,-would it not so convince our
Southern sisters of an unwingness to stand with
them aggression, that they would longer
rely on our soundncss OF confde in our counselso
Ii cannot be denied that the crisis calls for strong
prompt energetic sentiments flat denial of all the
aims purposes and principles of Black Republican
ism Ii cannot be denied that he who compromises
with them now. when they are flushed with the
hone of their first great victory the theatre of
Presidential contest dalics with the rights of the
S,utI, or proposes a weak, imbccile and cringing
roIirv The time for 4 halt way course has passed
Inv if il ever existed. The issue is either a
united and determined opposition to all their
schemes or a surrender-a plump surrender TO
them. If any Southern State then plants herself at
this halfway house, the other southern states Will
naturally conclude that she can not be depended on
TO resist Black RepublicaniSm, by CONSTITUTIONAL
,,ars and within the Union. 1t will certainly re
our. a united South, IN inc eNShS VI tH' SANN''' "a
LINCOLN TO constitutionally defeat the Vaccinations
Of his Marty and TO save our rights. If we be divided
in nolicv, rnuch less ii one party should succumo
and accert boous from his administration, the
Sort,, must be completely subjected to his sway.
Rr+ If we should stand in unbroken phalanX,
= NAV in the Union, maintain our rights and
.a,o our honor. with the aid of that Northern band
Unconstitutional Democrats that will stand by us.
Tho more Southern States are conscious OF the pow
that NAV be constitutionally eNerted by united
South contendng boldly for our rights, and 1t viii
M. fail 10 exert a powerful influence IN swaylng
H., denominations and acts, if the South stands
I'D f,,. RREcKyRIpGE and LANE, who have plant
81 themselves upon the solid ground Of the Constl-
,,,,ior and the Equality of the States The great
and conservative States of Tennessee, kentucky and
Virginia will be with them to reassure them IA the
wisdom of standing by the Constitution, within the
Union, and to strengthen their hands IN the effort 70
thvart the designs of their enemies Their coun-
seswi be listened to with moderation and patience
They will feel that they have an anchor to which
tbev can cling oilin the Jiion, united and deter
mined South. By Mr.. BELLS party they have been