Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1860-08-10

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the two questions:
The first 1.-THE defeat Of the Republican party) 4
of the most vital importance 1t comes to the fire
side Of every Southern home. Upon its decision
hangs not only our rights to property but our liveI
and liberty are pending on the issue.
The second, Popular Sovereignty Is remote In
years and locality, and at the very worst can only
affect our rights to slaves taken to Territories in
tain contingencies. The rights growing out of this
second question co-relatve TO those involved in
the first collateral issue which, of course falls to
the ground If the Republican party succeeds in its
/ "ulterior purposes"
have heard the institution of slavery called the
tree of Southern liberty. 1t will answer for an il
lustration. This tree is planted in the South and
its roots deeply embedded in Southern SOIL but
its branches extend to all the Territories of the UNI
ted States. Mr.. Lincoln with his cohorts Of aboli-
tonists is making desperate attempts to curail the
growth and spread this Southern tree, and fpos-
sible to uproot It entirely. Around its trunk the
Democratic party, under the banner of the Consti-
tuition, ard led by Mr. Douglas, is found battling
manfuly for the defense Of this institution while
Mr.. Breckenridge with squad of Seceders, marches
to some distant Territory ready to make war upon
the first Territorial Legislature which may threaten
to interfere with one of its lisle twigs. Yet either
Mr.. Breckenridge considers this last question Of
greater magnitude than the first he is not in the
path of the first duty of all who love their coun-
try"
But it is urged as an objection to Gen. Combs that
his party has platform. The history OF politics
for the last twelve years should inspire every honest
man with an honest disgust for political platforms.
Ostensibly they indexes Of the policy to be OBJ
served by the nominees after the election but really
they are mere traps to catch votes and then be
thrown aside This objection comes from the DEM
ocratic party with a peculiarly bad grace. Four
year, ago that party adopted platform of principles
upon which they elected President and Vice Pre-
sident both of whom indorsed the principles of the
platform and pledged themselves to their support.
Almost the first important official act of the Pre-
sdeut was in direct contravention Of the Cincinnati
platform, and he has ever since not only exhibited
the most undigni6ed contempt for that political ma
chine, but he has several occasions made serious
attacks upon the platform of Mr.. Bel-the Consttu-
tion.
The vice-President remained true to the princi-
pies upon which he elected until a recent date,
but he is now running for higher office, upon
platform as much opposed to the Cincinnati Plat
form as Mr.. Breckinridge is opposed to Mr.. Doug
las. Still he is solemnly pledged to carry out the
principles Of the Cincinnati platform until the 4th of
March next If he is not pledged, where is the util
ity of patforms2 If he is pledged, what is the util
ity Of pledges? His friends in Kentucky are in
dignanb when Mr.. Breckinridge is charged with
disunion sentiments and motives; yet the Camden
(Aia.) Register, and other Southern papers; Hon. L.
boldly claim Mr. Breckenridge as the disunion can
didate for President. Mr.. Breckenridge is in Ken
tucky and is silent. lfhe is not party to this in
famous scheme he owes it to his Kentucky friends
to promptly disavow ali completely with it. If he
be party thereto his silence is, perhaps, becoming
but not the less ominous
Taken in connection with these facts, Mr.. Breck-
inrdge's platforh-which is well enough in itself
will have but little weight with the people. Does
it embody his views and above all will it control
his future course provided he is elected? Let the
past answer. In times like these the people will
look to men and not platforms to statesmen and not
politicians.
ion by example which commend to the Seces-
sion men of Kentucky. In lS48 Martin Van Buren
was the leader of a secession faction of the Demo-
cratic party under circumstances precisely similar
to these now surrounding Mr.. Breckinridge. Gene
raj Taylor became a candidate for the Presidency
He no politician and came before the people
without any platform. Many good Democrats see
ing the Democratic party thus divided and its use
fulness destroyed became disgused with politicians
and platforms and raiyed TO the support of the peo
pies candidate, General Taylor Among that mum
Der was Mr. Breckenridge. "An address to the
people" prepared by him and Others at that time
concludes as follows:
awe are on the verge Of contest with factious
politicians on the one side and the people on the
other. Fellow-ctizens, we call upon you TO break
the bands which have bound you, which have made
you forget the country for your party and the good
of the nation. Call to mind that you brethren,
with common country and q common destiny.
That destiny is at your bidding. Rally to your
place beneath the standard of the only man in the
Union (Gen. Taylor who has dared to declare him.
self Independent of politicians and factions and tho
refuses the highest Office in the world, except at
your hanGs."
These noble sentiments the very echo Of pat
rotsm. quote them, not as excuse for my
own intended course, but as a high and authorita-
tive precedent to which others may look for counsel
in this perilous contest between Union and Disun-
ion. Yours, very truly,
J. II. JOHNSON.