Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-05-02
Z he demands of Matte nalIty an d Com
seryaGlsna on the Baltimore Conyen-
lion.

scTS s1n on the baltimore Con Sen-
lion.
The Democratic and Republican parties,
claimiI g the chief power in the government,
and ignoring the existence of any party out
side of their own organizations, are seeking
to force the American people to range them
selves on one side or the other of the issues
which they have chosen to present. Those
issues are founded on the questions growing
cut Of the institution of African slavery.
and the cOntiGued agitation Of those ques-
tiOas i the end at which both are alike seek
ing to arrive The issues, though often chang
ing with circumstances and party exigencies,
are always sharply defined and in point
blank opposition. They form a theme which
arouses the fercest passions and the bitterest
psrtizan warfare. The Republicans assume
that it is within the power and is the duty of
the General Governments to prohibit the ex-
tension Of domestic slavery into the terrific
rial domain of the United States, by positive
Congressional enactments. The Democrats
SO far as we are able to discover what is
the party position in their confused differen-
Hence we find the Republican strength con-
fined to the non-slaveholding States, aud the
p-epOuderating aud effective strength Of the
Democracy is found in the slaveholding
States. Though the latter still claims ma
tionaliiy and was able to carry few of the
free States in the las. Pres;d ntial election,
the developments of the present aud year
or two past show very conclusively that the
party i growing more and more sectional,
aud will not maintain in the future its once
boasted nationality. Indeed while we write,
the news reaches US from Charleston that all
efforts to harmOnize have totally failed and
the party has practically ceased to exist as q
Homogeneous national organization. We say
then that the division Of the ruling parties is
on a geographical line; and such division, If
continued and urged to extremeties, will in
esitably result in n subversion Of the con-
stitutlnn and a disruption of the Federal
compact. The national, conservative, patri-
otto respecter of the Constitution and,lover of
the Union cannot unite with either, so long
as either insist upon their narrow sectional
would at once place hin, in a sectional atti-
tude, aud make him to all inteuis and purpo-
ses an abettor and supporter of measures
which his Judgment condemns, and destruc-
tive of the unity of that Republic which be
desires to perpetuaie.
Thus are all other subjects of governmental
economy and Federal policy overshadowed
and displaced By the single one in relation
To rights appertaining to one single species
OF property those rights, for all present
POrpcses. greatly more abstract than prscti-
cal. Tue Union is urged to the brink Of de-
struction by misguided men, who triie with
the highest and most sacrvd rights Of the
people for the pitiful hope Of party aseen-
dency and individual gain.
But aside from aud independent Of the
slavery question, both these prevailing par
ties have shown themselves unworthy Of
popular confidence and untaifhful to popular
intere,ts-one In the administration of the
national government, the other in the man
agement of State affairs In several States
where they have attained the power, the Re
publican leaders have shown a procliviiy TO
fraud. peculasion aud corruption, which al
most defes belief; while the Democracy, in
n long course of power in Federal Offices,
have shocked the moral sense and Disguised
the honest sentiment Of the age and country.
by the most outrageous extravaganza. The
mos, shameless profiigaey aud the mast un
scrupulaus corruption. With both, plunder
T.. fr..ff ;t -. h..
chief hope of victory. Republican Legisla-
lures have come 10 be n market overt, pub
lie vendae for the sale OF votes 20 the highest
bidder. a.ad who pays the best price wins the
day; while the energies OF an army OF Fede-
raj democratic ofiee-holders are devoted to
carrying primary popular elections. and by
the iadiscriminate use OF power, patronage
aud money, corrup,ing the bai!ol-box and
thwarting true aud unbiased expression Of
ths popular will. Ii b thus that both ale
engaged in poisoning the fountains OF legis-
latian. eorrnpting the sources OF political
pe~eF aad undermining the securcst founda-
lions Of public virtne.
In view OF these solemn fscts-startlIng to
the sober sense aud conservative patriotism
af the countryside Baltimore Convention,
eosnpased Of men representing q portion of
the American people whs oppose the narrow
ssetioeai sie~s aud the corrupt practices OF
both lhe eibrT poiitiesl Organizations. Is TO
met 10 oqe week from to-day. las respon-
sibiliiy TO the casssry and 20 posierity
is great, IL design u 70 iaaaee The rEossx
to Use 10 The stern majesty n siriuoa. pow
1T aud eseFihros ihs sHeEies u shs esss,l-