Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-04-10
Kour AttenfinnI

OF our DelOfe4 country.
Your Attentionl
Our readers viii remember that we have. time
and again. called attention to the fact that leading
organs Of the sectional party at the North. whilst
expressing their determination to carry on their az
gressions against the institution Of slavery, we're
eulOgistic Of Mr.. BELL expressing their confidence
in him, and readiness to support him if nominated
by their party. They viii remember. furthermore,
that we have sought by every reasonable means
to secure from his organs in this city an explana
ton Of his views touching the questions that rem
der him so acceptable at the North, but without
success. But we are now gratfed to state that the
Cincinnati Gazette, the Black Republican organ Of
that city has furnished the public with the sought
for information.
The Gazeas is displeased with the Banners recent
structures upon the letter Of Mr.. BATES subscrib-
ing to the entire Republican platform, in the pecu-
liar Republican spirit = but far misunderstands
our neighbor as to assert that the Banner pointed
" dissents from the doctrine Of Judge Bates letter
and proceeding upon this misunderstanding, makes
the following disclosures, to which we invite special
attention;
At present we design merely 10 call attention
to two grave mistakes as we believe, made by the
Banner.
The first Of these is in assuming that Mr. Bates
occupies position which is in any essential partic-
ular different from that of John Bell hitherto and
even ROlr as understood by the people of the free
States. We say the Bonner assumes such differ
ence for it pointedly dissents from the doctrines of
Judge Bates letter, while the name of John Bell
is at the head Of its columns its candidate for
the Presidency. We believe Mr.. Bell and Mr. Bates
have thought almost precisely alike on the question
Of extending slavery. 1t is in that belief certainly
that we have expressed our individual readiness to
support Mr.. Bell for the Presidency, without a
platform. We cannot believe there is a single SEN
timent in the letter of Mr.. Bates, which the great
Tennessee statesman does not in his heart indOrse.
If we are mistaken in this, would like to be DIS
tinctly informed wherein the confidence we have
expressed is i'll bestowed. We kROlg that Mr. Bell
has heretofore stated his Uielos on this question in
manner that cannot be BliSGppreheRded If he has re-
Gently shifted his ground, keeping step with the
Democracy under Calhoun's lead, his friends in the
North ought to have due notice Of the fact.
This same Black Republican, paper not long since
expressed its readiness to support the BnerS can
didate for the Presidency upon his past record, F"
which was copied into the Banner as an evidence of
Mr.. BELLS popularity. We now have the grounds
upon which 1t expressed such readiness. We are
told that heretofore and even no0, Mr. BELL is IN
derstood at the North as agreeing with Mr.. BATEs-
that is, subscribing to the Black Republican plat
form. That they knog that Mr. BELL has hereto
fore stated his views on this question in a manner
that cannot be misapprehended7 and if he has re-
Gently shifted his ground, his Black Republican adj
mirers are certainly correct in suppOsng that they
have the right to be informed of it. Nov will any
one undertake to say that Mr.. BELLS position has
not been as represented by the Gazette. or that he
has shifted his position.
One other point the Gazette chooses to discuss
with the Bumsr-the availability of Mr.. BATES, and
upon this point says:
He mr.. Batesl was supporter of Mr.. Fillmore
in lS56-dS eUerg conservative Republican could hare
been had he Tired IN SldUe StGts-and he viii hence
receive the old Fillmore vote, if nominated, much
more readily than Fremont OF Seward, against both
of whom the voters in question were go strongly
arrayed in hostility at the last Presidential election
His living in slave State was another great argu-
ment in his favor. Further than this, the views eX-
pressed by Mr.. Bates are views held by Mr. Fill
himself and by the great body of his support
ers in the free States in 1856 About this there IS
no question. He has announced only what they re-
gard as conservative views They are heartily ap-
proved everywhere by the Opposition in the free
States, If not in Tennessee. Mr.. Bates if the Chi
cago nominee, viii get all the Northern conserva-
tive vote-not IN spite Of his letter. but because it
exactly suits that party. And that IS the chief ddUc-
tage that expected 10 be gained by nominating
Bates. To gain Southern electoral votes for him
was never regarded as 4 necessity, however desira-
bic in itself.
Here are facts that deserve to be considered. No
Opposition paper in Tennessee will we presume, at
tempt to controvert them. And unless shown to be
incorrect they fortify the UNION AND American in
all the exposures it has made in this connection.
Let the people look well to it.