Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-02-22

"A 29-tIeO- X
14-Charles H. Adams. 3Q-Wm- 7. Robertson
l5-Wm. BurIiDg. 3I-Samuei J. Weeks.
l6-O. H. Peabody. 32-GeO- K BabcOck.
IA H. Prescott 33-l- L. Pratt.
ResolOed, That the delegates have power to
appoint their several substitutes.
ADDRESS OF THE BALANCE OF POWER AMERICANS.
submitted the following report, which was
unanimously adopted
The independent American electors Of New
York having demonstrated a. the recent No.
vember election that they hold the balance of
power in the State, by supporting and elect
ing the State officers nominated at Utica in
the previous September, deem the present
proper opportunity to reaffirE the wisdom
and justice of the position then taken for the
first time in the political history OF the cOun-
try, and crowned with the most abundant
success. Public necessity and private duty,
IN the present condition of fhe country, de-
mand that this policy should lot now be
abandoned.
While the country is divided into two great
parties, there is plurality of voters not be-
longing 10 either of them who are looking
for some middle ground on which to stand
and make manifest their interest for the
Union. their respect for the constitution and
their Willingness TO be recognized as law
abiding cilizcns. This body of men can new
er act with any sectional party, North or
South. Though in minority in most of the
States, they possess, if united, the balance
of power In nearly all of them. They feel
that time has arrived when all geographical
agitatious and all extreme opioiOns should
be frOwned upon by the true men of the
country. As the federal government was
established upon the principles of justice,
frar aud oil ha
States, they desire to revive in the hearts of
the people that ancient spirit of patriotism
and good fellowship which gave birth to he
Union and to the constitution. They give
no couutenaDce to the threats OF the disun-
ionists of the South. nor to the fanaticism of
the sectionalists of the North. They believe
that between these extremes, which on each
side have aroused the worst prejudices of men,
and called forth the most dangerous action
in the country, that there is middle aud
national ground, on which all who love peace,
unity aud justice in the government of the
country can stand, They condemn all wrongs
and ouirages upon the people and upon the
States, whether imposed in the form OF feder-
al laws or fraudulent constitutions upon the
one side, or OH the other by State invasion,
sympathy with those who commit treason.
10y teaching any doctrines of a necessary
''irTeprcssible conflict" among brethren of
the same Union, or in States bound together
by the strongest lies OF interest, which ought
to be he'd together 10y the hottest bonds of
affection, and which, till now, have been es-
Ieemed equally loyal members of great
national cUniederacy. They are for the con-
stitutiun as it is, for the Union as it was
framed by our fathers, for ali the constitu-
tiOnal rights of the States, as States, and for
tue restoration OF peace among the whole
American people. They are opposed to the
republican party, because 1t is party of one
:, leading idea, aud that idea sectional
at the North, and most offensive to
fifteen States of the South. aud be-
cause had there been such party in I776,
and 1877, when the Declaration OF Indt pen
dence was framed, and the constitution of
the United States adopted, the Union could
never have been etsablishd They are op-
posed to the democratic party, because,
abandoning the spirit OF its ancient founder,
it has brought the patronage of the govern
mcnt into conflict with the freedom of elsc
tions, used it's power against the rights Of
the people, misappr priated tue public money
and scattered a firebrand over two thirds OF
the Union, 10y repeating measure of COM
premise, which for mWe than thirty years
was a peace Offering between the North and
the South. They i..l. therefore, that AN i'm
perative necessity now exists Tor the nation
Of all right minded men, and upon the broad
national basis laid down by Henry Clay in
like the present. when he declared himself
in favor of 1.-The Union, the constitution and
the enforcement of the laws"
The want of that Unity of Government"
which, III the words OF Wasbingtou's Farewell
Address, constitutes one psOple"-the
bitter sectional sirifrs witnessed in the Con-
grcss of the United States for nearly three
months past. the long absolute obstruction
of the public business among the representa-
tives of the people, the open incubation of
sentiments of sectional hatred and threats of
sectional power, the frequent sentiments from
the South oT Justification towards the govern
ment aud Of defiance IF its power, the neces-
sity IF protecting private rights and of pre-
| serving the public interests over every por-
ton of our COMMON country-demand at this
time the abandonment of all measures, the
purpose or tendency of which is to cause
sectional disturbances. or "to ALLEVIATE one
portion OF the Union from the rest"
AS American citizens, therefore, having
.nO friends to reward nor enemies to puni, h"
We propose, in view of tue importance of the
preSent political year, and in view of the
present distracted condition of the country
al large, 10 become, Tar as in US lies,
watchmen over the domestic tranquility of
our portion Of the Americsd heritage, as
part and parcel of the great national Union
party Of the whole country.
Our desire is TO restore peace once more to
the government, and prosperity and happi-
ness among the people. Power is always
stealing from tho many to tho fo,vgr aud ia n
just cause no one man even is weak or pow
erless for good. The complete triumph Of
eight or nine OF the present New York State
officer, few months since, under the most
discouAging aud inauspicious circumstances
i proof Of what can be done in the future.
We, therefore. invoke the aid and coopeTat on
now OF all who are for unity in the govern
ment, for peace with the people, for conf
dence In business, for obedience 10 laws. for
saving our great interests of agriculture,
commerce, Manufacture aud trade. from res
cuing our pnbllc domain from the hands of
She spectators, and spoilers OF all. indeed
of the seventy or eighty thousand citizens in
this great State, who desire to lie considered.
AT this crisis OF our public affairs. minute
men in the great reserve of millions" aud
who believe that there may be time, and
that this is that precise time, when the claims
OF ones country become stronger than all
the obligations Of party.
la the sole desire that those who think
alike an s,lne at the great question: of pub
lie policy which unCeFiie tue foundation of
the govcrnlnrnt should now act together,
aud SEEING strength in union anal victory in
united action. w are ready, Tor the time. TO
iorcgo ali peculiar forms OF filth, IN order
that We may come together upon the broad
natioaAl platform OF the Uoion, thv Coasti-
tnfion. and the enforcement of the laws
II ever again, Ia heart rs well as ia name,
We shall ildtsd become a united people,
united ia maintaining all the comp omlses
al The constitution IN opposing 81 the ballot
box all sectional m-a and doctrines, Ia se-
earring the rights Of the people, 10y maintain
lag the iust equality uf the States. aud In
fsoxulug upan I'll treason as well as Discs n
Ing all iraiioFs-tbea, as AmsEieAns. ~
wings. as republicans and as democrats, Ne
shall be ready. il need be, once mure 10 PM
cur party srncr aad eoBiend for any Pe-