Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1860-08-14
DUTIES OF THE PEOPLE.

| Such fellow-citizens, are few of the most
obvious arguments in behalf of the candi-
dates of the Constitutional Union party. We
| cannot disguise it from you that we look for
ward to the future with grave anxiety. This
| is natural, when we consider the eXcitability
| of the American people, and the infamma-
| torycharacter of the political issues which now
divide them. Surely, great dangers lie in the
path on which we are moving. Our appeal is
to the patriotism, the wisdom, the reaosn and
conscience of the country to leave these peri
lous edges of sectional strife, and thus avoid
these dangers. We would fain recall the
American people to fresh sense OF the af-
fectionate and fraternal wisdom which
breathes through the Farewell Address of the
Father of his Country.
There are men now living who, when this
address first appeared, were of an age to COM
prehend its spirit, and to be touched by its
cOunsels. What a change have they lived to
witness in the sentiments entertained towards
each other by the alienated sections of our
once united country And how do our al
tered hearts and averted countenances vindi-
cate the prophetic sagacity of Washington ?
We readily admit that there have been grave
faults on both sides. Let US not employ our
selves in the ungracions office of comparing
offences and weighing provocations, but let
us open wide the arms of reconciliation, and
cease to use the language of reproach. The
blessing promised to the peace makers shall
rest upon all who address themselves to this
beneficent work. We wish to preserve the
Union, and transmit it to our children; and
Union animated by the liie-blood of pa
ternal spirit, without which it is a shadow
and not a substance.
Let US revive in the hearts of our country
men the prophetic declaration of the patriot
Clay, in his memorable speech before the
Kentucky Legislature, when he was called,
in 1850, to breathe out his life in the last
grand effort to give peace to distracted
country.
." may be asked, as l have been asked,
when would l consent to dissolution of the
Union. 1 answer, Neveri Meier NEVER
If the agitation in regard to the
fugitive slave law should continue and in
crease, and become alarming, it will lead to
the formation OF two new parties-one for
the Union, and the other against the Union
and the platform of that Union
party will be THE UNION, THE CONSTITUTION,
AND THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAWS. And if
if it should be necessary to form such party,
and it should be accordingly formed, | an
nounee myself IN THIS place member of that party,
'ctatepe may be lis component elements"
The time SO eloquently and graphically
predicted has arrived. That Union party is
now organized. 1t appeals to the country
men of Washington and Clay for their sup
port. 1t entreats them to gather in serried
phalanx around the Union and Constitution,
and defend them from the fierce assaults of
sectionalism, whencesoever they may come
and, by the election of our national and pat
riotic candidates, TO preserve for our sons the
glorious heritage bequeathed US by our sires,
so that it shall remain The boast of American
citizens that they have zone country, one
Constitution, and one destiny" 2l-l 1-ils
By order of the committee. .l1iG-z
ALEX. r. BOTELER, Chairman.
l.. A. WHITELEY, Secretary.