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

which they must submit. But surely they
have not earned it without cause. To say
nothing of the atrOcious and understandable
language which their most popular speakers
are in the habit of using; TO say nothing OF
the fact that many of their campaign docu-
ments are mere abolition harangues, made up
of the foulest and fercest abuse Of the entire
South the unconstitutional statutes which
some of the Northern States have passed
against the execution of the fugitive slave
law are in direct opposition to the prOfes-
sions OF the party, and justify the distrust
which the South entertains of tbem.
We do not say that the election of Mr.Lincoln
would be fatal to the Union. We are no dis
uuonisis, and NJ. disnnionist has right TO be
member of the Constitutional Union party.
Under any possible combination of circum-
stances we cannot conceive ola dissolution of
the Union as any thing but the greatest of ca
lamties. Come what will, we shall stand by
the Union as the most precious jewel OF our
souls: but, knowing the proud and sensitive
spirit of the Southern people, we do say that
the election of Mr.. Lincoln would expose the
Union to peril 10 which no true patriot
should wish to see it exposed. And, further,
| we do say that the attempt to govern the
| country upon the distinctive and peculiar
principles of the Republican party would be
| fatal to the Union. In other words. the at
| tempt on the part of the National Govern
ment. by positive law, to exclude slavery
| from such portion of the national domain as
| would become slave territory but for such eX-
clusiOn would, in our opinion, break up the
Union. And Che converse of the PROPOSE
| tiOn is equally true: any attempt on the part
of the National Government to fOcce slavery,
| by positive law. into such portion of the ma
tional domain as would become free territory
but tor such Intervention would also break
up the Union.
| The calm and dispassionate observer can
| see in the Republican movement only COM
| bination of the Northern States to take the
| Government of the whole country into their
| hands. and to administer it with reference TO
an exclusively Northern policy; and, in like
manner the supporters of Mr.. Breckenridge
| propose to take the Government of The whole
| country into their hands, with view of adj
| ministering it with reference to an exclusive
| IL Southern policy. In either case the result
would be a diversion of the General Govern
ment from its legitimate sphere, or rather an
assumption of powers on the part of the
General Government not delegated to II,
which one half of the Confederacy would re-
| gard a. a usnrpatiOn. and to which 1t would
| refuse to submit. The fact that our Union is
! composed in part of slavehOlding States, and
| in part of non-slaVehOlding States, imposes
| grave duties upon both sectiOns-duties OF
| forbearance. concession, and concihation; re-
| sDect for each others convictions; tenderness
| in handling each others sensitive points; IN
| short, such rules of selfcORtrol and selt-gov-
| ernment as regulate in social life and IN the
relations of business, the intercourse of gen.
tlemen who may chance to differ widely on
the grayest questions. To these duties We
would flin recall both the North and the
South. The Union is blessing, the contin-
uauce of which imposes some sacrifices on
both portions of the country. Neither pro-
slavery z1alots nor anti-slavery zealots can
use the powers of the General Government
for the advancement of their own peculiar
views, however honestly entertained.
SLAVERY AND ANTI-sLAvERY AGITATION.
1t is a necessary consequence of the I'M
happy fact that our political contests have
become mere struggles for the possession of
power between the North and the South that
our political discussions have become little
else than mutual ordinations and recrimlna-
lions. The people no longer listen to argu-
ments addressed to their reason, in defence
of particular measures, or certain course of
policy, but to exciting appeals TO their sec
tional prejudices, which only heat the blood
and infame the passions. The North is
taught TO hate the South, and the South Is
taught to hate the North. On both sides Ian
guage is used which is studiously selected for
its CALLING and exasperating qualities. There
Is TO r, c1guiJion OF the law of charity which
suffers long and is kind; there is no admis-
sion of the tremendous difficulties which ell
ziron the whole subject of slavery; Northern
speakers denounce the South for maintaining
the system, and yet they are unable to sug-
gest any scheme for getting rid OF it; South
crn speakers make no distinction between the
rankest aboiitiUnism and that abstract oppO-
sition to slavery IN itself which is an almost
universal sentiment at the North. And out
of the immense mass of speeches on the sub
iect of slavery which have been inflicted upon
the country, in Congress and out of it. not
one hint or suggestion can be gathered of the
least practical value towards solution of
tie problem of slavery, or even mitigation
of its assumed evils.
The consequences of this miserable agita-
ton have been of the most melancholy kind.
The attachment which formerly united the
North and the South is fast disappearing. and
arrangement. alienation, and ill-will are ia
king its place. The two sections of the
country are learning to look upon each other
as natural enemies. This state Of feeling
renders it impossible for the National Legis-
lature to Legislate calmly, judiciously, dis
patiOnately for the common good OF the
whole country. Congressional debates have
degeuerated into mutual vituperations and
denunciatiOns and are disgraced by the most
offensive personalities. All propositions are
Judged if not by their essential eXpediancy,
but oy the quarter from which they come
OF what use is it then, for the Republican
party to spread forth in their platform an
elaborate array OF measures and principles
so long as a sectional division exists in our
politics which makes One-halt OF the country
look with suspicion and distrust upon every
movement of the other?
Nor is this all. The tendency of this Sec
tional excitement is TO repel wise and good
men from the sphere of politics, and thus to
lower the tone of Government Men en-
dowed with statesmenlike powers will not
take part in an agitation which dwarfS the
understanding while it infames the passions
The consequence is, that. while we are rapid
~ increasing in wealth and all the iudica-
tons of material civilization, and surely not
declining in virtue and intelligence, the Sc
ries of our public men marks descending
scale, and the standard of Congressional de-
bate is constantly lowering Intelligent for
eigners who come among US are puzzled to
account for the singular fact that so few men
of superior ability are taking part in the
Government of the country. Indeed, the
virtue and intelligence of the country are
fast ebbing away from the sphere of politics,
and its vices and passions are usurping their
places.
TUE AGITATION UNNECESSARY.
The pro-siavery and anti-slavery agitation
which has been so long conVulsing the coun-
try is as unnecessary as it is mischievous.
The more conservative portion of the Repub-
lican party have tacitly abquiesced in the
fugitive slave law, in the existence of slavery
in the District of Columbia, and in the right
to carry slaves from one State to another; and
they have always disclaimed any right or
any intention, to interfere with slavery in the
Territories, and the power of Congress over
it there, are the only points they leave for
discussion and difference. Ii government be
q practical art, as surely it is; if the object
of government be, not to eununciate princi-
pies. but to provide for each emergency as it
arises, all this excitement, and all this con-
fiict, are utterly purposeless and idle. We have
been familiar with slavery long enough to
know by what laws it is regulated and con-