Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1860-05-25
Then and Now.

Four years ago, when Buchanan was nominated
for the Presidency the democrats raised the cry Of
uno chance" against Fillmore, and appealed to the
Wings and Americans to rally to the support of the
democratic nominee as the only chance TO defeat
Fremont and save the Union. Alarmed by this
cry or yielding TO desire to join the spells party,
many Wings, as well as democrats who had tenn
porary abandoned their party entered into the sup
port Of Buchanan and he was elected. But as the
result has proven the election of Buchanan SO far
from allaying sectional discord and saving the
Union, has tended only to embitter the former and
multiply the dangers which encompass the latter,
whilst II has sunk into lower depths of infamy a
government stepped in long continued corruption.
Were the democrats honest and patriotic in their
efforts, then, to save the Union? Did they believe
that Fillmore had ''no chance" and that the very
existence of the government depended upon the de
feat of Fremont If SO, we may confidently appeal
to honesty and patriotism in behalf of Bell and
Everett and can strengthen that appeal by the cry
of ''no chance" for the democratic nominee. The
rplit at Charleston has denaonalized and disband-
ed the democratic party. The sectional elements
which made up that Convention can never be fused
into one harmonious mass, unless the cohesive pow
er of public plumber, strengthened by individual
dishonor, can form political amalgam as incon-
gruous as disgusting. Should Douglass be the
nominee at Baltimore---as he certainly will be-
will the seceders from the Charleston Convention
he whipped into his support? viii the thousands
Of democrats all over the Soutl-not the politici-
ans, but the people--who have avowcd their deter
minatioD not to support him, swallow their declara-
tions at the bidding of their leaders, We think
not; and if this be so, what are his chances fol
electiou2 None whatever. But If not nominated
the chances for the success of the democratic party
ere still more hopeless. We have lately converset
with hundreds of northern Douglass democrats ant
they ayow but one crmination-Douglass or no
body. They even go farther and declare that i
the southern delegates come back into the Baltimore
Convention it must be as unconditional Submissions
lists
What, then, are the chances for the democratic
partyH With Douglass they can not hope tosucceet
unless they are willing to see the South crouchint
at the feet of northern fanaticism and proclaiminl
its own -submission--dishonor. Withou
Douglass, what northern States do they hope t
carry against Lincoln? Not one All hisnorthen
followers will abandon the party as soon as he il
thrown oserboard-the ultra flying to the Repub
lican ranks and the conservative seeking to pre-
vent a sectional triumph by uniting with the Unior
party. And suppose that the Richmond Conven
ton nominate a fre-eater, will this improve tn,
chances3 With Douglass for the northern wing
and JEFF. Davis for the Gulf squadron, where arr
the conservative, Unon-loving democrats of tn
slave States to go? They-or large proportion o
them---have declared Internationally agains
Douglass and, consistently, they not vote for al
avowed slisunionist Then as they can not choos
between disunion, on the one hand and squatte
sovereignty on the other, they must either vote tn
Union ticket or fold their arms in criminal ndifer
once whilst sectional fauaticsm is striking at til
integrity of tie Union and trampling under foot til
Constitution and the laws.
In either case democracy has tho chance" an
the contest is between Bell and Everett, for tn
Union, the Constitution, and the enforcement Of tn
laws and Lincoln and Hamlin for a triumph of tn
North over the South. Can any honest democra
hesitate which to choose? Can any old line Viii
who strayed from the fold-decoyed by the cry {
mo chance" hesitate to return to the path of dut
now that his country inyokes his aid, in tones
earnest entreaty? Can any true-heartcd America
citizen far forget the high privileges he enjoys
TO suffer party to take precedence of country whe
the issue is between constitutional liberty, in th
Union, or all the evils of its disruption? AAl /
this complexion it has come at last, NoefTor
unattended by dshonoNble submission, can no'
unite the broken fragments of democracy In
minority, when united divided, it is poweress /,
good unless il win rally to the standard of ii
Union party and vnlicate its character for honest
and patriotism by doing now that which it beggt
the Opposition to do in 1856 The facts arc clea
sand the duty Of the democrats, indicated by the
former course in similar crisis is too plain
be mtsta ken.