Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-03-24

The One Thing Certain.
Whatever else may be said Of the Black Republi
cans there is one thing in their recent movements
worthy Of admiration, viz their beldness in avow-
ing the distinct issues which they intend to present
before the country in the ensuing canvass, and their
determination to adopt no man as their candidate
who does not fully square himself up to those is
sues They have much difference in their ranks as
TO whether they shall nominate an "old liner" like
SEWARD or CHASE. or one who, while practically a
Republican" is less obnoxious to those who have
hitherto opposed their schemes-and from whom, to /
succeed, they must make some accessions-Iike
BATES, BORIS, BELL or CRiTTENDEN. But while these
differences exist upon matters Of personal prefer
ence and party policy, there is no difference in their
declared purpose TO- virtually subjugate the South,
by denying her an equal participation in the Terri
tories and the confinement Of slavery to its present
limits The New York Post. one Of the most mod
crate and respectable journals in the support Of that
party whose editors are content to be termed nom-
inaI Republicans" in recent article touching the
nomination of Mr.. Bates for the Presidency, says
We are prepared 70 make any sacrifice Of mere
personal feeling 10 accomplish so grand ana SO au-
spieious result There are conditions however,
which moderate and conservative as we regard
Ourselves-Tnere nominal Republicans" as some
NAV choose to sty e us-e insist upon as indspens
able in making nomination at lineage, whether
such cooperation Is effected or Is not
No person can. or properly should receive the
Republican nomination for the Presidency whose
views. openly and uneQulvOcauy avoWed, DO not
come fully up TO the standard OF URc0mprOnllSinJ re-
sstaace 10 the extension Of SGUey into any Terrific
M luhgeia is not already established by local Tao.
ANY maa wIo does not distinctly repudiate
what is popularity understood. in Democratic par
lance as the bred Scott decision, with its logical
consequent, q Congressional slaUe code Tor all the
Territories any who is not heartily in favor
OF the immediate admission Of Kansas under the
WyandOtte Constitution, regardless OF the proyls-
ions Of the infamous English BILL any man who
does not recognize slavery as being strictly and
solely the creature OF local tdlc-a seCuCnal Insu-
tuition, and not a national one and any man who
has not shown by his past acts-hls public and prl-
vatc record-that his feelings and judgment are
cordially on the same side with Washington, Jetter-
son, Henry. and all the greater political lights OF
former days IN regard to the political and social
character of slavery, cannot have our support for
the Presidency, no matter where nominated, or by
whom. These are indispensable conditions, on
which all republicans will insist
The testimony borne in many ways, as to the
opinions of Judge Bates, well as the known facts
Of his life lead to expect that when he gives his
views the world in authentic form, he viii salts
fv all candid Republicans on the points we have
mentioned But all uncertaintyon this subject must be
speedilyremoved from the public mind if the name Of
Mr.. Bates is TO come before the Chicago Convention.
There is one thing which the special friends of
that distinguished statesman must duly consider.
They must early determine whether they are to
take the road for Chicago direct, that TO Baltl-
more All thoughts of reaching one place by way
Of TIE other are perfectly idle and visionary.
We say, then, that if the public declaration from
Mr. Bates promised for this week, is not explicit on
the special points of political faith have named,
we shall, from that time forward, set him out Of
the account, as among possible Republican candl-
dates. If moreover that statesman leaves any rea-
n.11 Ia Iruorr to r71.nsa
in the decision Of the Chicago Convention refusing
TO be the candidate of any Understanding faction
arraved in hostility to the Republican party, he will
have failed to come fully up to the requirements Of
his position
We have been thus explicit. because the present
situation of affairs admits of nothing less. We
wCuld want no Misunderstanding to our own
position or that Of Republicans in general. We
would have no step taken which has even the APP
pearance of compromising party having full CON
troll in branch of Congress, veto in the Senate,
and full sway in fifteen States among the most pow
erful and prosperous in our great coHfederacy.'
This is explicit It has manly tone about it that
we admire. however much we deprecate the princi-
pies it indicates We are gratifed to believe that
those who have in keeping the fortunes Of this sec
tional and revolutionary party disposed to make
a fair issue with the national Democracy in the APP
preaching Presidential election. and that the people
Of the different States viii be enabled to act adys-
eddy, and with full knowledge of what must inevi-
tably fellow.
Mr. Bates has now spoken. We have not yet had
an opportunity Of examining his views in full but
doubtnot from the synopsis given in our Thursdays
issue that his publication fully covers the requir
ments Of the Post.
TSlnce the above was written we have received
Mr. BATEs letter, which viii be found in this morn
ings Issue.l
In this connection, we also find in the Post a
communication headed "a representative man. Civ
ing reasons why Mr. BATES should be recognised
by the Republicans as one of that character, and
from which we extract the following suggestive
paragraph:
Now Mr. Editor, the genuine representative" Of
q principle is not the man who stands the corners
of the streets and thanks God that he is better than
other men. But II IS the man who. like Edward
Bates. of Missouri has sacrificed no. only pecuniary
interest but political preferment, in slave State
for a great principle who has shown by his own
acts for years the sincere devotion Of his heart TO
principle. IN practical way, too. Ii has been with
him hand-tohand ight az his own door, on the soil
OF his own State. His has been the post Of danger
IN the battle he is the cbiT engineer Of the corps Of
SIpDrS and miners, preparing the 1cdy. He has been
mere holiday soldier in the strife, nor theoret-
lie dreamer
Itiaa very easy thing for a man 10 be a noisy
Republican in the State of Ohio. or in any OF the
Free States; IL does not require great amount OF
nerve or seltsacriicing disposition. particularly
vixen 1t is the road t. 7reterment No man de-
serves an extra amouUt Of credit for being strong
auti-siaveIy man in the North: but there is one
thing CerJana man that viii take the stand in the
South that Edward Bates Of Missouri. has taken,
that John H. Bolts of Nirginia, or Cassius Clay,
of Kentucky. or John Bell of Tennessee. or the gal
liant Hunt, of Louisiana. and many others, who are
now exiled from political life Tor their honest eff
forts for free Territory. and against the principles
of that arch mschiet-maker, Douglas. surely has
nerve for any emergency.
Some weeks since, when the New York Tribune
had conveyed an idea somewhat similar in refer
encc TO Mr. Bell we called upon lis organs in this
city to say to the public whether it correctly rep
resented his position. They declined doing
Again we call upon them to know how far Mr.. BEII
is correctly represented by this Black Republican
admrer. is not the question proper one. VIII
they answer.
Tlfr ErFFrr OF TT-Thp Richmond INal DiSp1igb