Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-01-27


le-sness of the democratic leaders than the
persevering refusal of the members of that
party in the House of Representatives IN
Congress, to vote for member of The SOUTH
ern Opposition for the Speakership. WHEREBY
| they could effect an organization and the
| defeat and discontinue of the Repaoicahs.
The simple question evolved by this protrac'-
| ed contest and the much speaking TO WHICH
| it has given rise, is this: DO the democratic
| members prefer non-organization, or the
electi on OF Speaker from the Southern op-
position. or that of Republican, who has
Endorsed the monstrousIy infamous Helper
Commend ~ They must of Necessity accept
one of these three alternatives, since they are
in hopeless minority. If they take the first.
then they put stop to the practical functions
of the government; they withhold tLe means
necessary to carrying on all the apartments
and bring anarchy. the most fearful of all
conditions, upon the country. If they take
the last then they elevate to the third place
of trust and power in The government, mem
Der of that party which they have continual
ly asserted to he the most dangerous that
ever existed, and whose success they affirm
will involve the Union in irretrievable ruin.
But what evil can come Of the other? What
calamity can come TO the country out of The
election of GuMER, or other member OF his
party? Do they believe the Southern OpPo-
siIion TO be unsouRd on the slavery question
that which they regard as paramount and
I1o- oil 9th no ST
siiion which the Southern Americans have
maintained towards the Republicans in this
bitter struggle, shows they are as true TO the
constitution aud laws and the institutions OF
the South, as the Democrats themselves pre-
tend to be. This fact cannot be denied ; on
the contrary, it is frankly admitted by the
Knoxville Register. in referring TO the resniu-
ton lately introduced in our State Legis la
ture, and deHouncing il as proposition 10
sell out the democratic party. ITO such a
bargain" says the Register, ''we can never be
party. In our Judgment, the Defaccrats
can never agree TO such prOpositiCR con
sistently with fairness and honor MOI that
are Jeiiere that Tie Southern OppositiOn are 'fnsoHnd
on the slavery question. tbs ,ce do not beileoe,
and hoUe nerer asserted"
What then is the true ground of their con-
tumacy What sound reason do they urge
to Justify their stubborn refusal to unite with
the Southern Opposition, quoad hoe, and elect
a Speaker? The Register, continuing, thus
explains: .'Bnt we do not consider it fair for
80 men to yield to 24.'' 1--WE henestiy b.
lieve that, after the organization is effected,
there will be a complete coalition between
this Southern Opposition and the Black Re-
publicans, on every question except that Of
slavery. find that The ,rhOie Of uns session teii
be taken up IN hunting up materials 10 iHPeach tie
Democratic party, TO be USED an the approaching
Presidential CONTEST This is certainly the
best reason we have heard assigned. and is
unquestionably the only true one. To it we
desire to invite the special attention of our
readers. 1t proceeds upon the Apr, hension
that materials will be sought whereupon to
impeach the Administration. And why. let
us inquire, should such an attempt prove dis
tasteful to the Democracy? What, but the
moral certainty that these materials will lie
found, if the search is allOwsd? The desire
to avoid investigation is the universal mark
of the guilty criminal. Innocence, seli-con-
scious and genuine, while inviting scrutiny,
stands erect and defies its accusers. With
this panoply the Democracy may pass through
any ordeal TO which its enemies may choose
to subject it, not only unharmed and m
scathed, but viudicated and strengthened be-
fore a just and patriotic people. Why, there
fore, should the Democracy manifest this
aversion TO investigation? This adherence
which would lead them TO pref,r no organi-
cation at all end the consequent stCppage of
the wheels of Government, or the ell c;ion of
a Republican! We submit if this is not Il
virtual confession of guilt on the part of the
managers of the Democratic party. We sub
nit if a better reason can be given frr the
attitude at present occupied 10y The demo
cratic members of the House and if il is not
still more diSCrcCiitable than any other that
could be advanced. Il not only ju>tifies, but
demands investigation and whatever may
he. the result of the contest for the Speaker
ship we trust the American people will pure
cute the investigation, aud pass final Judg-
ment at the next November assiZes.