Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1860-07-16
Shall the North and the South be ar
rayed against each other on a Geo.
graphical Iinel-- Something for the
people TO think about.

people to think about.
There are many ultraists in the North and
South who would promptly answer this inter
rogatory in the aft rnative-many who hear
tfly desire dissolution of the present Union
of the States. But the question is put to the
masses who are attached to the Union on the
principles of the Constitution and of equality
and justice, among the States aad the citizens
of the States. The paramount question for
solution by the American people is whether
this Union sentiment is in the ascendent and
whether it can be so concentrated aud cx-
pressed at the baliOt-box in November. as 10
overthrow the combined forces of fanaticism,
and preserve the government from violent
disruption.
The Republican party, embracing in its
membership the most rab;d abolition ele-
ments, being based upon the primary idea of
opposition to the extension of the chief of
Southern institutions, and having encourage
ed, by the creation of 4 vitiated public senti-
ment and by legislative enactments. the vio-
lation of the property rights of the Southern
people in slaves, have aroused an antagon-
istic feeling which is equally determined and
widespread. They have abandoned expressly
all pretense of nationality geographically,
aud have sought to unite the North as against
the South on the basis of hostility to slavery
extension. 1t is well known by them and all
others, that could such unity be secured.
their success would be inevitable. Whilst
such an event in itself would not be q suffi-
eient cause for putting an end to the Federal
compact, it would afford 4 pretext TO South
ern ultraists to make the effort, which is al
ready agreed upon in several Southern States.
to resist the inauguration and precipitate
revolution. The Republicans, far removed
as they are from the immediate prevalence Of
this feeling. may regard the threat as an idle
one; hut they had as well be assured that
the attempt will be made. Whatever may
be its result, so far as the continuance of the
Union of the States is concerned, it Will be
fraught with misery and calamity. 1t may
fail-the Union may go on-but it will be
the beginning of the end, fearful in its con-
temptation and desolating in its ultimate
consequences.
On the other hand the extremists OF the
South, by a preeOncerted plan, are doing all
they can to produce the coveted unity at the
North by springing impracticable issues and
endeavoring to bring about a unity of the
South. Both are equally intent upon des.
troying the nationality Of parties and the
triumph of sectionalism-the Republicans il
1f fha in
present limits, and the YANCEy party with &
view of dissolving the Union at once. This
is a true and fair statement of the position
and purposes Of these two parties. The only
means of defeating them is for the eonserva
tive masses everywhere to come together il
opposition to both. How can this be done
Not, certainly yb concentrating on Dir. DoUG
Las. His peculiar, illogical, unsafe and IN
tenable doctrines have excited opposition
everywhere, and while he could in no even
hope for election by the people, with othel
candidates in the field, were he even elected
By abandoning all others, it would be i'm
possible for him TO conduct an administra
tion successfully On those doctrines. Thi
we regard as unquestionable. But suppos
the people should agree TO unite upon Mr.
BRECKENRIDGE and elect him, how would tina
effect our present difficulties. There is M
controverting the fact that Mr.. BRECKENRIDGE
is placed before the country on the issue @
Congressional protection, and by the extremr
men of the South. His election would b.
held, and justly so, as triumph of the ultra
lists and disunionists. Instead of quieting
the North il would still more infame ant
exasperate them. 1t would have the effec
at once to consolidate them in that uniteC
band which they are now striving to effect
and to render the next succeeding contest
more sectional and more violent than any
preceding one-and would in all human
probability result in dissolution, revolution
and civil war. We are utterly unable &c
perceive how the election of Mr.. BRECkN
Ridge, under existing facts, though supported
by the Union, men could minister to or il
any way promote the interests Of the coun-
try, pr1long, beyond four years, the existence
of the Union, or lead the people back to til,
ways Of peace and concord Proceeding up
on the hypothesis that either DOUGLAS Of
BRECKENRIDGE could be elected, we eanno
see how the evil Of the times could be cor
rected, or how the country could be per
manentIy benefited nj either event.
We can perceive bat one alternative. Tit
fanatics must be crushed, their iDfnedce ii
national politics counteracted, the sanction
Of the Constitution respected, the sacrednes
OF the Union appreciated and the obligation