Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-09-29
The Avalanche on the Britton PROPOSE
ton.


1t is well known and we believe admitted by all
candid and honest men, that very small segment
of the Tennessee Democracy favor the election of
Stephen A. Douglas for the Presidency. There is
not the most remote possibility Of his carrying the
State. He cannot in any event poll ten thousand
votes while the probability is that his vote will not
exceed half that number. Conscious of the weak
ness of Douglas in Tennessee, and seeing that the
Democracy of the State concentrating on
Breckenridge and Lane, two of the Douglas electors
Messrs. Malone and Britton, with a magnanimity
and patriotism worthy of all praise, voluntarily
proposed to retire from the canvass provided the
Breckinr idge electors would pledge themselves to
vote for Douglas in the event their support ne
cessary to secure his election. This proposition
was hailed with demonstrations of approval in every
section Of the State. 1t caused thrill of joy to
pervade the heart of every true Democrat 1t was
regarded flag of truce and inspired the old sol
diers of the party with the belief that the legOns of
Democracy would soon be united in an old fashion
ed crusade upon an enemy they had fought and van
quished upon a thousand fields. But a few trail
tors have been known TO bring desOlatOn and ruin
upon an enemy so few traitors in our ranks
determined if possible, to bring destruction upon
the Democratic household. As an evidence of this,
refer TO the indignant manner in which the
Douglastes of this city reject not only the PROPOSE
ton of their cOnfederates but every effort to bring
together the party Preferring the election Of John
Bell to that of John c. Breckenridge, they have clos
ed the door to everything like peace-Offerngs and
have commenced anew the work of strife and dis
cord The appeal, of course is the ringleader. 1t
has an article yesterday on this subject in every
line of which treachery TO the Democracy blooms
and blossoms. 1t has evidently taken service with
its ancient enemies, and now undertakes to play the
part of traitor TO those for whom it pretends friend
ship, and to the to which it processes ale
glance. Avoiding an open, manly, and honorable
contest, 1t steals the livery of Heaven TO serve the
Devil in, and gives simple lip service to the Demo-
cratic cause, while all its efforts intended to adj
vance the interests of the ancient enemy of Demo-
crazy. An honorable and open enemy is entitled to
respect; but a skuking traitor deserves only con-
tempt Afraid to be honest in its insidiOus support
Of John Bell and the cause of Acknowledgement, the
appeal resorts to every subterfuge to hide its con-
scOus perhdlty. Since 1t is doing so much to ad-
vance the cause of the Opposition, 1t ought to have
the honesty and munlnesss in espousing theIr cause
to assume this name also
The indignant manner in which the appeal and its
little clan reject fusien with the Democratic party
forever settles the question in Tennessee. and shows
that IN this State well elsewhere, disOrganiZa
ton, disruption and and distraction is their motto.
The tendency of this refusal is to give the State to
Bell and Everett and the tendency of the policy
in the Northern States is to give them to Lincoln
To defeat Breckenridge, Democrat, regardless of
the consequences to either the party the country
is the paramount aim of the DOuglasites.
But we can tell these traitors that their treason
will not be fully cOnsummated. If the aim of their
policy is to give Tennessee to Bell and Everett it by
means follows that the result will be accomplish
ed. Fortune favOrs the brave" and truly Provi-
den never abandons the Democracy. There never
has been dark hour in our fate that some fortui-
tious circumstance did not arise to dispe the clouds
and bring back the sunshine of hope and success.
All prospect of union is now at an end and relying
our strong arms and stout hearts let organize
in every and precinct in the State, and 90 to
tarl44a uu Form clubs, disseminate documents and
Let us buckle our arIfy We anu muscle 70 nL
termlned to conquer-determined to save the pafsty
from the destruction into which Douglas and his
men are trying to drag it, and from the discord and
strife which they are producing. We are daily
making accessions TO rank. 1t is impossible to
Gonceal the tact that every Democratic vote cast for
Do9gias Is virtually and efiectually vote cast for
De.l, anu llefe are thousands Of Democrats whose
pure hearts revolving at the idea of aiding in giving
the state to their old enemy will vet strike hands
with the friends Of breckenridge The Democracy of
memphis stand firm in the Thermopyle of tbis mo-
mentous struggle. They will do their dntv INV