Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-08-15
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST is, 1850.
HON. JOHN BELL:
HIS
0PAST HISTORY CONNECTED WITH
THE PUBLIC SERVICE.3

HIS
0PAST HISTORY Connected WITH
THE PUBLIC SERVICE"
HIS ANrIwAR PoIICY-HE STANDS WITH THE NEW
ENGLAND FEDERALIsTs AND ANTrsLAvERY PRoPA-
aASDIsTs IN OPPOSING THE POLICY THE AID
nN1srRATIoN RELATIVE TO OUR INDIAN AND MExI-
CAN WARS.
An impartial Observer who will take the palma
to make careful examination into Mr.. BELLS past
history connected with the public service" cannot
fail to be struck with the perfect Indifference with
which he has trifed with all grave public questions
and interests whenever deemed advisable to uphold
his own partizan aims Take him even upon ques-
tons growing out of our foreign relations involving
the rights Of citizens and the honor of Govern
ment and we assert without fear of successful con-
tradiction, that in every instance where he could
hope to injure his political opponents and thereby
strengthen his own fortunes he has hesltated to
aid il Gripping the policy of the Administration in
power, thereby weakening the arm of his own
Government. In proof of this instance his
course il relation to our Indian wars during the
latter part of the Administration of Gen. JACKSON,
and about the time he was throwing himself into
the embraces of the Northern Federalists who
deprecated these wars because they were opening
up new Territory for the slave States. We have in
previous article given an extract from his speech
of June, 1885, chan gng that the Indian wars had
resulted from a sense of the vast powers and re-
sources of this Government, and the abuse of Its
patronage by the Administration of Gen. JACKSON.
It VIII be remembered, also, that before that IA
nous Corruption Committee raised to traduce the
character of the Old Hero, aid furnish a pretext
for his IMPEACHMENT, Mr.. BELL repeated:
al. therefore feel well warranted in my own
mind, in attrbuting 10 the iBbecity, CULPABLE NEG
LECT, or the CORRUPTION of the Administration,
al the blood and expenditure 9chich hare attended
recent hostile relations ,rih the Creek Indians, and much
Of the DsHoNOR tohcb must attach to the country by The
reason 81 Spec1lati0nS IN their lands"
In this he commended himself 10 the Blue Light
Federalists of the North who then petitioning
Congress, in connection with these wars, the sub
ject of slavery Has he not been consistent atevery
period OF his history since that time when the cOun
Try was threatened with foreign aggression or in
yOlved in war! We refer those who may desire to
investigate for themselves in order do the ampest
Justice to Mr.. BELL, to the records of Congress.
They viii find there that in difficulty with
France, when war seemed imminent and a foreign
feet was threatening our seas, that Mr.. B., while
admitting the justice of our demands against that
Government, was co operating with the Federal
enemies of the Administration; Gripping its poll
cy for placing the Government in position of
defence, and questioning the motives of those who
were urging speedy action upon the recommends
lions of the President. Gen. JACKSON had sent
special message to Congress informing that body,
that
1.-THE return of our charge daffaires is attended
with public notice Of naval preparations the
part of France, destined for Of the cause
and intent of these ornaments have no authentic
information, nor any other means of Judging, except
such as are common to yourselves and the public;
bur whatever may be their object, not at
liberty 10 regard them unconnected with the
measures which hostile movements on the part of
France may compel US TO pursue. They deserve at
least to be met with adequate preparations on our
part and therefore strOngy urge large and speedy
appropriations for the increase of the Navy, and
the completion of our coast defences."
by the selection and enforcement of such lawful
and expe3ent measures as may be necessary to pre-
vent result injurious to ourselves and so fatal
10 the hopes of the phanthrOpist we shall therefore
not only preserve the pecunaTy interests Of our
citizens the independence of our and the
honor of our country, but do much may be hoped,
to vindicate the faith of treaties, and to promote
the general interests OF peace civilization and i'm
prOvement"
To this grave and patriotic appeal what was the
answer Of Mr.. BELL? While processing willing
ness to exercise great berality to sustain the Gov
ernment when it should become necessary, when a
motion was made to fix day to act upon these sug
gestions, he took his stand against it, making this
reply:
at is said that the country is in defenceless con-
dition now so il has been for the last three years
and no steps have been taken TO put 1t INTO better
condition. No steps were taken or recommended at
the commencement of The session. Inc Navy Dill
when once taken up was laid aside. How happens
it that there is so great an alarm gust at tins mo
ment? Has panic come upon US so suudehIy
Must we vote all the appropriation piIs wlIhout
further delay? Are gentlemen afraid that IL these
bills are suspended until the 18th OF February, some
other information may be received from the other
side of the Atlantic which may satisfy us that eA-
tensive preparations for war are not necessary
Il must confess sir that under the circumstances
although do rot charge such purposes as nave
alluded to as the motive which influenced the COM
mttee yet sir unless such designs are at the bottom
Of the movement, it is to me wholly inexpilcaple'
Proceeding to say that if we should have war
he would supper: it, he added, but at the same
time will cont nae to hold the political agents who
may have brought the J7r responsible to the coun-
try. They shall not escape their due response
biity."
We shall sec whether Mr.. BELL and his friends
are willing to be held to like responsibility" for
his course in connection with these grave ques-
tons.
No one, who viii take the trouble to examine
the hstor, of these difficulties with France, fail
10 see the Justice and wisdom Of the policy of Gen
JACKSON. for which Mr.. BELL would hold him and
his friends to such strict account. The greatest
unanmitv Of sentiment prevailed throughout the
country on this question. and it was only reckless
and mercenary demagogues whose personal success
seemed involved in pulling down the administration
Of Gen JACKSON who were willing to hazard our ma
tonal interests and honor by gripping the arm OF the
Government
Again: in 1889, upon the n. E. Boundary qIes-
ton, when we were threatened with a war with |
England over disputed territory and a proposition
was pending before Congress TO increase our means
of defence in the event of INVASION bv calling out
volunteer terce-a measure evidently lust and
proper as to pass the House by a large majority,
Mr. BELL made tact;ous partizan opposition ON tb.
rlea that If Great britain intended to assert bo
claim bv arrzs she would give Us an intimatior os
that fact or otherwise postpone It. and therefor,
we need not apprehend any violent collision until
mo have received information from that Govern
mont ,, nosition so ridiculous as to be dscredita-
hlo 10 an American statesman, and which was evil
IDENTIFY prompted by the mere consideration of par
tizau Let those who are slow to believe that such
has been the uniform course of Mr.. BELL examine
the public records for themselves
We coune now TO a matter Of far deeper interest
to the people Of the present day-one That comes
home 10 the people of Tennessee. We alude to his