Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-12-11
Mr.. ReII,s Letter.

The Banner and PGtT1Ot OF saturday contain d
lengthy letter from Mr.. BELL relative to the poti-
cal condition of the country in response to an IN
Titation to address the public meeting which was
held at Yicksburg, Mississippi, few days since.
The distinguished position which Mr. BELL recently
occupied before the public a candidate for the
Presidency gives additional Importance to his views,
and Will cause them to be read throughout the entire
country. We have entirely abstained since the
election, from any political discussion which might
tend to provoke controversy, hoping that the same
feeling which prompted TOoNBS STEPHENS H1I, HER
scHEL V. Johnson and Others to unite in proclaim
ing to the people of Georgia that the present crisis
in our national affairs demands resistance" would
also be found to prevail in the State of Tennessee.
and that the sentiment of our State Convention when
called would be found to accord with the sentiment
so cordially expressed by the leading men of all
parties in Georgia. We cannot, however, permit
some pointsin Mr. BELLS letter to pass unnoticed.
Mr.. BELL speaking of LNoOLN's election says:
In FORM the election was in strict accordance
with the regulations prescribed by the Constitution
and laws. The objection to it is that it was effected
by purely sectional party organized upon the prn-
ciple of hostility slavery and having for Its prime
object the repression Of slavery, as permanent ad-
illustrative policy, with a view to its ultimate ex-
tincon Il cannot be doubted that administration
of the Government based upon this policy, could
operate far more eflectually in bringing about the
extinction of slavery in the South, through official
influence and patronage, than by any more direct
mode of attack.
The election Of Mr.. Lincoln by sectional party,
organized and sustained upon the distinctive prin-
cple of opposition TO slavery, It exists in the
Southern States and avowing the policy of its re-
preston and final extinction, (by prohibiting its ex-
tension into the Territories a bold experiment
upon the temper and forbearince Of the South. and
upon the strength of their loyalty to the Union.
This experiment if not conceived in spirit Of dsun-
ion was made with reckless disregard of conse-
quences. No greater strain upon the lgaInents
which bind the two great sections of the country to-
geher could be devised than the attempt establish
or inaugurate permanent Government policy upon
such principles.
am not able to discriminate between the charac-
ter spirit and tendency Of the antsavery principle
and the slavery repression policy of The Republican
PARTY considered in connection with the torrent of
ihiiammatOry publications and lnvectIves against
the domestic institutions and social relations of tie
South which is dsilyipoured forth by Republican
journals and orators and the character, tendency
and designs of the Abolition Societies, and the in
cendiary publications which find their way to the
public under their auspices. The only essential
difference / can perceive between the spirit and
tendency of the doctrines and avowed policy of the
Republican party and those of the doctrines and
hvowed policy of the Abolition Societies is in the
extent and degree Of the mischiefs which may be
inflicted upon the South by one or the other, and
the deliberate intention to infct them by the Adolf
ton Societies. which it would be unfair and unjust
TO impute to the whole body Of the Republican par
~. But both obnoxious 10 the charge of pursu-
ing policy which is in violation of the spirit if not
Of the letter of the Constitution and revolutionary
in its tendency The policy of both tends strongly
stir up internal strife in the Southern States to
excite dissensions and Instructions among the
slaves, to produce alarm and sense Of insecurity
both as to life and property. among the white popu-
laton Of every Southern State and finally. to nflu-
ence the whole South to revolt against the Govern
ment. The degree and extent Of the mischief
which the Republican party may be able to infiict
by its anti-slavery policy for reasons which need
not state il will be readily arkno~iodsod will be
ten-rUId greater tian any which the Abolition SUce
ties have it in their power to infiict.
Mr.. BELL in thus Stating the exceptions which
may be fairly taken by the South to the election Of
Mr.. LEscoIN," says:
have purposely presented in the strongest light.
the dangers 10 which Southern rights and interests
exposed, that it may not be supposed that had
not considered or cOmprehended the full extent Of
the injurious consequences which may result from
the present menacing attitude OF the North upon
the slavery question before formed opinion upon
the grave question, whether the election of Mr.
Lincoln, in all its bearings together with all the
precedent grievances Of which the South have a
right TO complain. furnish any sufficient cause to
justify the surrender by the Southern States of their
interest in the rich and glorious heritage of the
Union. and 10 seek safety and the undIsturbed en-
joymsRt OF their rights in Southern Confederacy.
He answers "uuhesitatingly and unequivocally
that i would not" His first reason for coming 10
this conclusion is:
Mr.. Lincoln, il is well known, does not hold ex-
IRENE opinions on the subject OF slavery 1t is GER
tain that be has expressed decided opinion that the
South has constitutional right to demand the faith
ful execution Of the Fugitive Slave Law; and that
under certain circumstances he would feel it his
duty not to oppose the admission Of a new slave
State into the Union.
Upon the whole. if Mr.. Lincoln's public declara-
tiOns the subject CT slavery are to be considered
rs the true opponents Of his future policy, and if
he possesses the moral courage adhere to them in
opposition 10 the Counsels of the extreme men of |
his party and 1t is Just and fair presume that he
does possess that ylrtue) serious mischief need
be apprehended during the administration except
the usual evils attending the agitation Of the slavery
issues
1t will be seen that Mr. b. IL while he admits in
the outset Of his letter that LINCorNs election iva.
effected by purely sectional party. organized upon
the principle Of hostility to slavery ana having for
its prime object the repression Of slavery. as per-
manent administrative policy with view to its Ill
innate extinction; while he admits that an adj !
ministration Of the Government based upon this
policy could operate far more eflectually in bring
ing about the extinction Of slavery in the South
through official influence and patronage, than by any
more direct mode Of attack while he admits that
d" the policy Of making the Government an instru-
mentality for the repression or extinction of slavery
as is now attempted by the party which is soon to
be in power was never contemplated by the trainers
Of the Constitution; while he admits that the suCl
cess of such party will deeply imperil the
Uniua;" while he admits that the election of LIN
coin was a bold experiment upon the tenn
per and forbearance of the South and upon
the strength of their loyalty to the Union = while
lac admits that the surrounding circumstances
considered. he is not able 70 discriminate be-
tween the character spirit and tendency of The anti
slavery principle and the slavery depressing policy Of
the Republican party" and the character, tend
ency and designs of the Abolition Societies while he
admits that the policy ofboth the Republican and Ab
clifton parties obnoxious to the charge OF pur
suing policy which is in violation Of the spirit if
not ohe letter of the Constitution and revolutionary
in its tendency" while he admits that the policy of
both tends strongly to stir up internal strife in the
Southern States TO oNcte ulsSepsluns ana llsurTeC-
tions among the slaves toprOduce alarm AMI sense
Of insecurity, both as 20 life and property among
the white population of every Southern State, and
finally 10 influence the whole South to revolt against
the Government" while he admits that Z" the degree
and srirt Of the mischief which the Republican
party may be able to iniict by its antslayery poll
CIV. for reasons which need not state, 1t viii be
readily acknowledged JoU De tcHJOd greater than d1y
rbjch The Abolition SocetsS haze IN tkejrpot7er TO
h.tiic " while he admits all these things he con-
cludes upon the whole that no serious mischief
need be apprehcnded during his administration ex-
cept the usual evils attending the perpetual agita-
ton of the slavery issues" We can but exclaim
Mr.. BELL: 80 most lame and impotent conclu-
SION"
Our lack Of space prevents our pursuing the sub
iect further to-day.
Memorandum of the General Outlines Os
the plan 10 Secure EfFectuaI Resistance
10 BLACK Republican Rule,
The States Of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida
Alabama and Louisiana believed 10 be ready TO
ro our OF the Union. To these States let commits
ionerqs be appointed now by the State who shall be
charged with the duty Of making arrangements for
the meeting of an equal number OF delegates from