Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-02-23


ers OF the party in power. Gan form no just
ground of complaint. But when honest and
capable incumbents are substituted by others
who have no adequate qualifications for the
Offices or duties to which they are assigned,
and no other merit thaa.fheir capacity to be
serviceable to the party, or to the ambitious
aspirations of the President. or other high
officer by whom he was employed, is corrupt
abn>e of power. - =
Whatever we'll founded objections may exist
TO the maxim that Ito the vietors belong the
spoils," it has been too long acquiesced in,
and too firmly engrafted to be suddenly
changed. Ifever changed, it must be
work Of time; but it is to be hoped, that for
the honor of Republican Institutions that
the abuses and corruptions which have arisen
from the manner in which the maxim has
been made to operate in practice, may be
speedily corrected
But the correction of the various abuses in
the administration of the government, impor-
tant as ii is to the honor and welfare of the
country, sinks into comparative insignifi-
canoe when We turn to the overshadowing
evil. the practical and paramount question
OF the day and of the times. 1t is nota ques-
ton OF abuses in the practice of the govern
ment 1t is aquestion concerning the existence
OF the government itself which has been
brought into imminent peril of dissolution
by the same causes and influence, which have
FASTENED the downfall of all preceding Re-
puhlics. In an evil bour and at time of
rare tranquility and exemption from party
strife and excitement-the result of the COM
promise measures of 1850. the Missouri Com
promise line Of 1920 was repealed. 1t would
be useless o point out or suggest the motives
and designs of the authors ofthat unfortunate
measure, be they what they may, the effect of
the measure was to kindle fame of resent
ment in all the free States and to renew
with ten fold violence the sectional strife and
discnrd upon the subject of slavery which
had been 30 happily quieted in 1850.
1T is needless TO recount the the means and
devices by which the agitation thus recon-
menced was continued and even increased in
intensity. until now, when find two pow
trful parties confronting each other, the one
in the North and the other in the South con-
tending Ob>tinately for the power and con-
troll Of the Gov rnment upon sectional issue
the light of the South under the Cousttu-
ton to carry slavery into the Territories and
TO have it protected there by Congress, being
the Southern side of the issue. and the right
of the North, under the Constitution to pro-
hlbit slavery in the Territories, being the 9TH
er side of the issue; practically. and in effect
absIrdct lions both, at the present time in
the opinion of many of the most enlightened
men Of the Country North aud South Nv
ertheless, the same motives and causes which
originated the controversy, operate with the
same force to keep ii alive. The sectional
hate and alienation en2endpred in the pro-
lracted strife add greatly to the difficulties in
restoring the wonted harmony of the coun-
tryj and TO make the prospect of ACCOMPLISH
ing that great and desirable and still more
gloomy, the power and influence of the spoils
principle operate with their usual effect in
stimulating the antagonistic parties to put
forth all their energies In maintaining the
have created painful anxirties As 10 the future
IN the minds OF thousands of patriotic ciii-
zcns In both sections. 1t is wore than idle
to say that the Union is in no danger
IL may be miSchievous TO lull the people
into security, BY proclaiming that the Union
cannot b: diSsolved-that the a sociatiuns of
the past-the anticipation of the glorious
destiny which awaits Us as a nation will pre-
vent il-lhat the ties of kindred blood of a
coIumon llueage nd language will prevent
it-Ihat the enOrmity IF the chime of disunion
against mankind will prevent it, aud that if
nothing else should avail, the magnitude of
the material Interests dependent upon the
preservation OF the Union will prevent It's dis
membt rmcnt. The Union cannot be saved
by such teaching. 1t should be remembered
that the ties of blood and natural affection
are often broken by repeated wrungs-that n
family quarrel, of all Others, when entered
sentiment often proves stronger as IA motive
to action than material interest. Mol The
safety of the Union depends upon the united
action aud eneI gIes OF all good men, North
and South, and with the blessing of the God
OF our fathers upon their efforts the Union
can and will be preserved.
ResoiUed. Therefore, toy the Delegates of the
people OF Tennessee, in Convention assembled,
that We will unite with all good men every
-har nd oil
tain and perpetuate the Union under the Con-
stitution as lis
ReS0iUed, That the true test of devotion to
the Union Is the practice of ready obedience
to the requirements of the Constitution.
ResciU,d, That the continued agitation Of
the slavery question, while il promises no
profitable Result to any section, Is franght
with Infinite mischiefs to the whole country
Injurious 10 all material Understanding
moral progress impairing the National
character aLroad--pre> entng the aspect of
weakness, from incurable disSeniions at home
and thereby inviting insults and aggression
from foreign powers; imperiiling the peace
of the country, the stability OF the Union, and
that il ought therefore to cease.
resolved, That we are opposed to direct
taxation. and in favor of a tariff adequate TO
the expenses Of an economical administration
of the General Government. with specific
duties "neIe hppllcSDle, discriminating III
favor OF Amcricaa labor.
hesolUed. That The Hon. John Bell, in the
opinion ofthis Convention, possesses superior
qualifications for the office of President-his
long and distinguished public serviccs-his
broad and expensive patriOtism-his I'M
swerving devotion TO the Union and the Con-
sli,ution through all phases of bis political
fortune, entitle him to our warm confidence
and support.
We commend himto our fellow citizens every
where, and the delegates appointed to the
National Union Convention are instructed 10
use all honorable means TO procure Lis nomi-
nation.
The Address and Resolutions were adopted
unanimously aud with reclamation.
DIR. John ii. Calender. from the Commit
tee on Delegates TO the Union National Con-
vention, reported the following delegates.
The Chairman in making tie report. re-
marked that the committee had deviated
from the instructions of the Convention by
reporting three delegates from each Grand
Division of the State. aud three kom each
Congressional District, instead of two:
Eust Tsnnessee-wm. Brazelton. Sr., of JET
ferson; John Baxter, OF Knox; John Neither
land of Hawkins.
Middle Tennessee s. Brown. of David
son; f. ii. Ewing, of Davidson; DIR. J. w.
Richardson of Rutherford.
WsSt T,Haessee--Jrre. Clemens, Of Shelby;
Jos r. Mo>by, of Fayette, A. j. Donelson,
of Shelby.
Isl Distria-R. D. scruggs. of Jefferson;
W. d. Williams, OF Greene, and W G. Lyle,
OF Hawkins.
2nd Disfrict-o. P. Temple, W. Y. c. Humes
and Comfy f. Trigg, OF Knox.
Sd Disirlcf--A. Caldwell. Of McMinn; J.
W. Gille pie, OF Rhea, aud VIM. II. Tibbs, OF
Bradley.
"A DisfTioi-J. G. Pickett. of Smith; w. p.
Hirkerson, of Coffee, aud 5. Ii. Colmes, OF
White.
IA ni,trsct-Inrdan Stokes Of Wilson 10.