Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1860-10-05
Discussion at Winchester.

t---sz WxcaEsrER, Oct. LIST. 1860
EDIruRs OF PATRIOT To-day being Coun-
ty Court, quite number of the citizens of
place: ahd from the fact that large hand
bills had been posted at all the public places
of the county, calling the Democracy iogeth-
er To hear speeches from Hon. J. I'll. Thomas,
of Maury. and Joel j. Jones, of Lincoln,
coupled with the fact that our gifted Colyar
was absent al Lewisburg, doing good service
for the Union parry, the friends of Bell and
Everett here supposed the day would be Civ
en- up to the Yancey prong of the Democratic
party. But we were agreeably disappointed
to learn that Col. Matt. Martin, of Bedford,
was here, and that Maj. Thomas agreed 10
speech from Joel J. Jones, Esq, who, to the
best of his ability. followed in the old beaten
track of his party-such as denouneing Bell
as an aboIitiOnist, and falsifying his record
generally. His speech, however, fell still
born, as but few took any interest in hearing
him. - -----r-r ..-rr. =-
About l O'Clock, Col. Martin took The
stand, and Tor one hour and a half entertain
ed the audience with one of the best speeches
that has been made in this place since the
canvass commenced. He proved conclusive
Is, and TO the satisfaction OF every unprtju-
diced mind, that the Yanceyites were aiming
to dissolve tue Union-rcad various extracts
from the speeches and letters of the leaders of
hat party, which but too plainly exhibit
their designs. The speaker held up the can
didates Nominated by the Union party as the
only ones that stood any chance, before the
people. 10 defeat Lincoln, aud used many
persuasive arguments to induce the patriotic
voters of Tennessee to come 10 the rescue,
and save This glorious Union from dismem-
beFment. | must say tLat Col. Martins
speech was listened TO with more than usual
interest by the Democracy of the county, and
were they not misled by designing dema-
gogucs, who are aiming to keep the govern
ment under their control for selfish purposes.
many would be found voting for the Union
ticket Col Martin closed by asking Maj.
Thomas, if Lincoln should be elected, would
that be sufficient cause to dissolve the Union.
Maj. Thomas now came to the stand. and |
did expect to see every Democrat, at least,
rally around him, to encourage, if not bear
what he had to say; but in this l was mista-
ken. No great anxiety was exhibited in their
appearance or conduct, TO hear him-nO
great enthusiasm. He, like all others that i
have heard, of his party. labOred TO show Mr..
Bell unsouEd on the slavery question-said
that John Bell voted with the Abolitionists
more particularly upon the reception of Abo- |
lition pctitions-his main effort being TO |
make the people believe that John Bell, a |
native OF The South, the owner of many |
slaves was an Abulitionist-whose record, |
when prDpcIy explained and understood, |
proves him TO be as sound as any man in the |
South, upon this troublesome question. Mai. |
Thomas close. without answering Col. Mar |
ms question in regard to the election of |
lincoln. Col. Martin took the stand in re-
by. He again asked and pressed the ques-
ion-wOuld You, Mai. Thomas, be for dis
olYing this Union in the event of Lincoln's
Election? Maj. Thomas rose to his feet and
answered that he would not be. Col. Martin
hen said he was glad TO hear one of his par
Y answer thus. He spent the balance of his
hirty minutes in showing that while the
eaders of the Democratic party have been
rec TO charge abOlitonism upon Harrison,
LAY, Taylor, Scott, Fillmore and Bell, they
we're the warm supporters Of Van Buren,,
Jass, Pearce and Buchanan-all of whom had
vowed abolition sentiments. Col. Martin |
urthcr stated, and proved by reading from
Que of Grundy's speeches, that he (Grundy) |
rad voted, with other Democrats of the |
South. side ny side with John Bell. for the /
reception of Abolition petitions, upon the |
ground that it was not right but that it was |
he best method to settle and check this |
', Ned question, never intending TO grant the |
prayer of the petitioners. And Just here i |
will say. that this was Mr.. Bells motive in |
thus voting, and no one knew it better than |
the Hon. J. Fl. Thomas. yet he lacked the |
honesty TO tell the people the fact. Would |
the lion. J. H. Thomas like To have his record |
has dealt With2 Thomas again mounted the !
stand. In his rejoinder he said nothing new |
and created but little excitement. The friends |
Of Bell and Everett seemed highly pleased |
with the effort of Col. Martin, and now tell |
Won we lost nothing by to-day's discussion.
Yours, SEWANEE.