Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-04-12


among the various wings Of the Opposition as to the
precise position that our distinguished feilow-citi-
zen occupies. He seems to be somewhat difficult to
locate 1t wiz be rendered that we, few weeks
since, again and again asked the Buner and Patriot
Of this city, whether not they would support Mr.
BATEs ihe were nominated by the Black Republicans
at Chcago. We asked for an unequivocal and uncon-
ditiOnal reply. 1t will likewise be remembered that
our search after the desired knowledge was more
unsuccessful than the highly phanthrOpic searches
after Sir JoHN FRANKLIN and his fellow-voyagers.
Our inquiry was before Mr.. Bates wrote his letter
to the Missouri Black Republicans, but not until af
ter he had been nominated by them, not until after
the Cincinnati Gazette, the New York Tribune and
other Black Republican organs had favored his
nomination at Chicago, not until it had been pro
claimed that his Repubioanism was indicated, not
until after GREELEY heralded him as "a gallant
Emancipationist whom it would be hard work to
make Odi0us ID sane AbolitioniSS" AR. Bates wrote
his letter fully sustaining HE claim to the confidence
and esteem ofhis Black Republican admirers and Uil-
dicating his Repubicanism beyond peradventure.
The Louisville Journal and other Southern OppOsi-
ton papers then broke their long continued and
Ominous silence. They would not support Mr.. BATES
after an expression Of such sentiments were con
tanned in his reply to the Missouri Committee. His
Black Republican adherents manifested no surprise
upon the publication Of his views. They knew from
his past record" that he was opposed to the extern
sion Of slavery in the territories and that he believ
ed in the power of Congress to prohibit its extension
But they were surprised that the Southern Oppos-
ton the devoted friends of Messrs. BELL and CRIT
TEEDEN, should be surprised that Mr. Bates enter
tanned such opinions, should oppose him after the
expression of them. The Cincinnati Gazette had de-
cared itself willing to support Mr.. BELL ION his past
record" The editors of the n Y. Tribune had de-
clared that Mr. BELL would be acceptable to them
individually. TRUMAN SMITH, DRAPER, GREELEY a
Co. had told Messrs. BELL and CRITTENDEN with what
"profound,and increasing admiration" they had "con-
tempated through years Cthelr) eminently patriotic,
statesmanlikeand truly National course in the coun-
ellis Of our common country" Under the circum-
stances this opposition of the Southern Opposition
to Mr.. BATES could but be regarded by his friends,
as exceedingly unkind, particularly as they be-
heved that the opinions Of Messrs. BELL and CRIT
TENDEN upon the slavery question, were identical
with those of Mr.. BATES.
But a few days since the Cincinnati Gazette ex-
pressed its belief that the Nashville Banner had
]
Dr.. Bates occupies aposion l0bicE is IN any ess entail
particular different from that Of John Bell hitherto, and
eUenno,1 as understood By The people Of the free States
Thus, the difficulty of locating Mr. BELL begins to
Sppear. The Banner and the Patriot both dissent
from the views of Mr.. BATES and they are both ad-
vocating the claims of Mr. BELL for the Presidency
His name stands at the head Of their columns
Hence there must be i'll the estimation OF those
papers dissimilarity in the views of Mr. BELL and
Mr.. BATES upon this subject of slavery extension
So It is in Tennessee. But how is it upon the cold
side Of the Ohio? We again refer for information
to the Cincinnati Gazette: We believe Mr.. BELL and
Mr.. BATES have thought almost precisely alike on the
/ question Of extending slavery" We cannot be
lieve there is single sentiment in the letter of Mr.
BATES which the great Tennessee statesman does not
IN his heart endorse If we are mistaken in this, We
would like to be distinctly informed wherein the
confidence we have expressed is i'll bestowed "
Rno0 that DR.. Bell has heretofore stated his Uiers on
| Hisquest,Op ul a manner tia. cannot be nisapprs
| hended'
But the Cincinnati Gazette is not the only 0ppos
ton paper that believes there is an identity of SEN
timent between Mr.. BATES and Mr.. BELL. The Bal
timore Pdh iot in a late number, thinks proper to
state the views Of Mr. Boris upon the allabsorbing
] question Of the day, he being prominent candi-
date before the country for the Presidency" To do
that the Patriot uses portion of his letter Ct July
| 3lst, 1859, from which we make the following ex
/ tract
| / believe Congress possesses the sole power OF
legislation over slavery in the Territories and this
power Of legislation being in the language of the
supreme Court, dbSOlGe and unqualified Congress
could, according TO its discretion, cOnstitutOnally
legslate for or against its Introduction | recognize
no claim OF the institution of slavery upon the Fed
eral Government farther than has already been ex
tended to It. by the provision for the recovery of m
gltive slaves, it being local institution looking only
to the ler loci for protection for if the Constitution
protects it in the Territories where it does not exist
It do less in the States where it does exist
the decisions Of the Supreme Court l regard as the
supreme law Of the land, and the political opinions
! of its judges whether expressed on the bench OF
on the streets, treat as / do those Of other part
zans ] an against any demand for a Congressional
/ code Tor che protection Of slavery In the Ter-i
torres.
The Patriot then remarks: The intelligent rea.
der will not fail to be struck with the identity Of
these views with those of Mr. CLAY and Judge BArEs
as recently made public W 5elisrs Vi.
Bell and NJ CrifegisP stand upon tie same platform;
at least hare no Evidence Of aay cbuys Of posi-.
| ton on TIER part"
Amid tins cOntrarety OF opinion we ask, Where
does Mr.. BELL stand? IF we are mistaken in his
sentiments says the Cincinnati GI-ele we would
like to be distinctly informed wherein the confidence
we have expressed is III bestowed" VIII not those
Southern men who have SO long and so deyOtedly
supported Mr. BELL respond. " II are mistaken
i'm his sentiments. nee would like to be dstinctlyn-
formed wherein the confidence nee have have ex-
pressed is i'll bestowed"