Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-05-03

The spectacle presenttd at Charleston i
unprecedented. For the first time in the
history Of democratic national conventions
the party have failed to harmonic. The
happening Of such event naturally causes
an inquiry into the reasons for il. Upon
what rock have the harmonious split ? Is
1t really devotion to principle which has sew
cred the Southern from the Northern demOc-
raeyr Why could not the two wings coalcsce
at Charleston as they bad done at Baltimore
and CIHcinnaliz The ostensisle cause of the
split At Charleston is the irreconciIable DIFF
ferences Of opinion as to what should consli-
stute the party platform on tine subject of
slavery ia the territories. The Northern de
mocra,y-Or rather the majority az repre-
sented in the COnvention-denland the re-
affirmation of the Cincinnati platform de-
claring that it, 80 far as it relates to the SUI
ject OF slavery, truly represents the position
and principles of the party and that princi-
pie being interchangeable, there is no excuse for
adopting a different party code. On the
other band, the Southern democracy declare
that the banner they won the victory under
In 1886 was d,cepIiOus that the doctrine
prOpounded on the subject of slavery was
ambiguous, equiyocal, capable of a double
construction, cheat, and a swindle, and
they are unwilling to 90 into another con-
tvet ~ItnOuT stTaight-Out defamation Of
principles repudiating the Northern construc-
tion OF the Cincinnati platform, and plodging
the party to the doctrine OF protection of
slave property in the territories. If the love
of fair and honest dealing. now so loudly
Wanted by the Southern democracy, were
siucere,-allbough they might not oppose the
policy they propose to intcrpolatc into the
creed Of the party, the people Of all parties
in the South might sympathize with them in
their efforts to bring their northern coufede-
rates up to n higher view of the constitution
al rights Of the South. But, what reason
tave the people to coufide in their sincerity?
ID i'd they not, in 1913, support Gen. CAss for
the Presidency, although he had euunciated
distinctly the doctrine of Squatter Sovereign
ty which they now profess to regard as "a
political abomination more Objectionable
even than the Wilmot PrOviso? And have
BUCHANAN for appointing Gen. Cas- to the
chief position in the Cabinet. ''unanointed,
unannealed. with all his" squatter sovereign
~ SIPS upon his head? Have they net, for
years past, upheld Judge DOUGLAS "a one
of the grratest luminaries of the party.
whose political integritywas above reproach,
Notwithstanding his squattcr sovereignty
views, which he has all tie time cousis-
tentIy held and proclaimed? And have
they not been ready, even Wills. en-
gagged in strife at Charleston, TO forego
slave code, If they could get the man they
wanted for the Presidential nomination ,
These things Indicate that their sincerity is
not TO be trusted. 1t appears TO be per-
sonal war really in which they are engaged.
L ndeT the pretense of contendiHg for great
principle. they are striving to strike down a
Northern leader, and To defeat the wishes OF
the majority OF the masses who desire his
nomination for the Presidency. In word,
the real motive which impels them is a per
sonaI dislike of the "unconquered rebel'
OF Illinois, the Little Giant" The factions
who are tied "a the coat tails OF other aspir-
ants, alous Of DOUGLAs, though hating each
other, unite to drive him to the wall. In
this war upon him. they are led lay Mr. b.
CHANAN who owes his nomination TO the
magnanimiry of DOJGIAs, and who, without
his aid. could not have been elected. There
is nothing. therefore, in the causes or result
of this personal war, which calls for the sym
patty of the Southern people. Their rights
are but a football kicked about for the pur-
pose of dvierting attention from the true
state of things.
But suppose we are wrong, aud that
the contest on the part of tie SouIhern de-
mOcraey is for principle-what th;n! Has
Ii not demonstrated the fact which the
opposition have always charged. that the
democracy have heretofore had no concord sf
sentiment on the ,ubjeet OF slavery, and in
their platforms merely patched up matters
TO deceive and cheat The massesi That the
first time they have attempted To t,st the or
ganization with the Ithariel spear of honesty.
ii has split in twain; and exposed the holIaw.
ness of their pretensioas To nationality and
general sonndness on the subject OF slaveryY
II this test bad been applied -, Cincinnati.
the like result would have eHsned. But for
the Janus faces of the platforms, the party
would long since have crnmbled to pieces.
We owe no thanks TO the Southern demoe-
raey for forcing the result now,--they have
done it not for che god OF the country, but
from motives diseredisable, to use no harSher
term.
ru-Mr. Lnwrence Iahnsan lhe extensive