Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1860-12-15

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Dmocraey.
CoLrxB1A, 6. CO. December 5, 1860.
Yesterday the debate in the House Of Rep
resentati7es was unusually warm. The par
ties srrayed against each other in the matter
of organizing an army. aad the manner of
appointing the commanding officers, used
scathing language. and debate ran high
throughout the session. So far as am able
to judge, both the opposing parties are led
on by bitter prejudices. The Joint Military
Committee, with two or three exceptions,
have pertinaciously chung to the idea that a
standing army of paid volunteers, to be
raised at once, to have the power of choosing
their officers, up to captain, and to require
all above to be appointed by the Governor,
is the organization for the times. Mr.. Gun
bingham, of the House, who is put forward
by the committee to take all the responsible
ty of extreme sentiments, has openly avowed
bis hatred of Democracy in the camp. He
considered the common soldier as incapable
Of an elective choice. He and others of his
party wage bitter war against Democracy,
and indicate an utter want of faith in the
ability of the people to make proper choice
in elections.
The party opposed to this, the predomi-
nate party, is Ostensibly led ID the House by
Mr.. Nc SOwan, of Abbeyille, and Mr.. Moore,
of Anderson. These gentlemen have hard
fight of Il. They represent the democratic
sentiments of the rural districts, are in Oppo-
LII -afaa rod
on BIZ Edward Rhett. Thomas I. Simmons
and b. III. Rhett. ir, of the Charleston Mer-
curry The tendencies of these gentlemen are
all towards Dictatorship, or monarchical
form of govern ment- at least it appears so
to nv mind, and find myself not alone in
the opinion. They fight heart and soul for
an increase of Gubernatorial power, and one
of their number, as l have already stated,
openly avOws his desire to make the Cover
nor a military chieftain, with sovereign
power.
See the working of their views They
will enroll body of ten thousand men for
an ostensible purpose. That purpose is al
legged to be the prot ection of their homes,
wives. affairs. firesides, and other pati lotto
intentions. They place the supreme militia
~ power into the hands OF the Executive;
be appoints whom he pleases, and certainly
he will choose none but those Of his way of
nents to the men, the country will be under
tse rule Of the army, and one man at the
bead-and what next can easily be imagined.
The power OF the Rhett party has already
been felt. Thus far il has been in the ascen-
IL has grown so powerful that
there are fears that Edmund Rhett, of the
Senate. will be elected the next Governor
IL this is the case, the thing will be all on
one side, and the worst is to be feared. The
election of Governor, you know, is by the
Legislature. all the dominant power has to
do, therefore. is TO pitch upon man. and he
is elected. Certainly they will not choose
person who does not reflect their sentiments.
The opposing or thoroughly Democratic
party of the House, while avOwlng strong
secession sentiments, are nevertheless bitter
stickIers for popular rights and will stand
out for them. As yet they have been able to
obtain few concessions. They have caused
the army bill now under consideration to be
modified to such an extent that the Governor
shall appoint general and field officers by and
with the consent aud advice OF the Senate.
But this is slight concession in cOnsidera-
ton Of the right they demand that OF an
entire election of officers by the volunteers
have just learned to-day there will be great
fight in the House upon even these coneeS-
,iOns The Democratic party, as l shall
style them, intend to bring the matter be
ore the House in stronger terms, and en-
ieavor to obtain all they wish.
As you have no doubt been informed, a
of inquiry has already been passed |
1Y the Legislature, TO inquire into the expe-
iiency of driving out all Northern teachers |
rom the public schools of the State.