Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-04-24
The Pre.idenc,-nr. He'll.

u
Having expressed our views Of the policy
and duty of the Baltimore Corvention, and
our confidence that it will present as a
candidate for the Presidency man whose
honesty and capability is well known, and
whose nationality cannot be questioned any
where, we desire now to cali the attention
of the conservative Opposition. 10 the name'
character and services of JOHS BELL, OF THIS
State Whilst there are other men whose
talents, integrity and services are such as 10
guarantee a faithful and honest adminIsira-
zion of public affairs, there Is no one In the
Union who stands fairer as Statesman, and
as an upright and patriotic citizen than Mr..
BELL For more than thirty years be has
been in the national connciis-as Repre-
sentative in Congress, Speaker OF the House
of Representatives, Senator and IA Cabinet
minister. During that long period he has
pursued a straightforward course, unIn-
fuenced by hope of personal gain, and IN
awed by power. At an early period, when
he had apparently nothing to gain Tor HIM
self but everything to lose, he severed the
ties which bound him to the ancient Repubii-
csn party, prcferring TO act under the inspi-
ration of an enlightened judgment and an
exalted patriotism for what be conceived to
be the interests of the country, rather than
to continue with party, though Overwhelm-
ugly powerful, whose policy he thought
inimical to a proper aud successful adj
minis. ration of the government. From that
day to the present he has stood firm and
wholly anmOved, in the midst OF all the
tempestuous scenes through which the cOun-
try has passed, and all the mutations OF
parties. the stern advocate of national and
conservative principles His career has ex-
hibited a spectacle of moral firmness and
heroism which challenges admiration and
a flies attack. His voice has always been
raised and his influence exerted to silence
discord and strife, and to direct the govern
ment in the ways of harmony and peace.
Totally discarding the tricks and appliances
of the demagogue, and holding In utter alb
horrence the schemes of the political ad-
yenturer and speculator, he has pursued all
the time q bold, manly and .statesman-iike
course, true to the constitution and the
Union, and thoroughly national. Taken as
a whole, his record stands as clear as that OF
any living statesman. The qualities OF his
mind are all eminently conservative. His
great prudence and caution, bis habits OF de-
Iiberate and profound reflection, the strength
and clearness of his judgment combine to
make him reliable and trustworthy; and
tue compreheusiveness of his intellect, his
long experience. and his love for the country
in all its parts render him the fittest expo
nent of the views and objects OF that large
body of conservative people Of the Union,
who have delegated their representatives to
Baltimore to express their opinions to the
world. That he is less exceptionable than
suy other man in the nation, TO our mind,
scarcely admits OF a dOubt-and that his
any man whose name has been mentioned as
the candidate of the Baltimore Convention
we feel perfectly assured. His only element
OF weakness, il be has any, is his entire free
dom from the sectional feelings, which so
alarmingly prevail in these degenerate times,
his integrity aud uprightness and his great
abilities. He is alike disconnected in act
aud sympathy with the extremists of both
sections of the Union, and is just such man
a. the true conservative. Union-loving. con-
stituiion-obeying and law-obeying people
can support.
For our own part, we do not care TO In
quire whether he can be successful or not. 1t
would give us 1nailoyed pleasure 20 vote for
him, and 10 labor for the principles of which
We regard him the true exponent, without
reference to success. or course, We desire TO
succeed, but triumph is nothing compared
with principle and right. We have no desire
to elect Mr.. Bell, disconnected with the par
amount desire to viudicate the constitution,
to preserve the Union aud promote the well
fare and prosperity of the people. In advo-
eating his claims we advocate what we be-
lieve to be the interest, the safety and the
glory of the Republic. Ii he cannot succeed
under the auspices of the Baltimore Convex
ton, no man can. We know he is worthy and
ought to suocred, and that is all We care to
consider. If be Is Objectionable to the hon
est masses of the North or the South, then
We know of man in either section that
would De acceptable. IL the conservative
masses of the Union, the patriotic men who
look beyond the idea of single section. and
who prefer to look TO the good OF the entire
country than to the fatal triumph of a part. can
not elect Mr.. BELL, they can at least show their
devotion to principle by supporting him. Let
Us stand to The Constitution and the Union.
and avert. il possible. the threatened deadly
conflict between the North and the South
LIT us make an eff5rt, worthy of the cause.
tie restore the country tai a nationality ofiecl-
ing and action. By the nomination of Mr.
Bail, We may be able to rescue the Union
from the hands Of It's enemies; We may be
able to tarottle the hydra that raises its hor-
rid front in either section; we may be able To
win the Judgment and supper. of the people
10 his standard aud restore the land to its
pristine concord and purity.
Fight between y. NJ. Newman and
J.C. aam.ey.