Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-01-16

country-every friend OF bumanity-eyery
| man in whose bosom CLOVIS a spark of patri-
otism, rally around his country's standard.
and resolve that the Union shall be support
cd at the risk of his life, in spite of all that
| fanatics can do or say 10 the contrary
WhatI the American Union be dissolved
What a spectacle would this present to sur
rounding nations of the earth Our govern
ment. established on strictly Republican
| principles. has been regarded by the whole
world, as an experiment that would not
stand. They have been looking for its down.
fall almost from its commencement. And
| shall their expectations be realized? Is it
true that Republican government cannot
| exist? Have not our people intelligence and
virtUe enough 10 govern themselves? Let it
not be said 1t has stood the test of ages
| it has survived almost century and from
| email beginungs-from a state of poverty,
we have become rich, and great, and power
| fnl. Our valor and Our patriotism have been
seen, and felt, and acknowledged Icy all the
| nations OF the earth.
| The United States. at this day. are both
feared and respected by the most powerful
nations. And shall we now fall? Shall we
prove to the world that there is no stability
in Republican Governments? 80, tellit not
in Gath publish it not in the streets of As
kelon. lest the Philistines T, joice; lest the
daughters of the uncircumcisod triumph"
But hist! What sound is that we hear 1t
is like that of clarion calling TO arms. Il
fro
The Abolitionists OF the North have put their
threats into execution, and have already be-
gun the work of destruction They have
tried TO excite the negroes to rebellion, and
have actually killed several of our citzuns
Is it not time to take up arms and defend
ourselves? Shall we suffer such an outrage
to go unpublished Shall we permit the laws
OF our country. and of humanity, to be tram
pied upon with impunity? No, this would
be beneath the dignity of our country. Our
laws must be supported, and the honor of
our government maintained at all hazards.
But who are the perpetrators of this horrid
crime? Bring them forward, and let them
suffer the just punishment of their crime. Is
il the people OF the North? They disclaim
any participation in It, or even knowledge
Of it, in the most emphatic terms. Who,
then, is the gnilty party in this nefarious
transaction? Why. it is no greater nor less a
parsonage than John Brown, of Kansas motto
riety, and few infatuated spirits like him
self But, perhaps, be was encouraged and
urged on by the people of the North. No;
unless by the people is meant few hot head
ed, reckless fanatics like Cert Smith, Sew
ard. Cheever, Phillips and Giddings. They,
no doubt, knew il, and assisted in laying the
plot, and furnishing arms. But Brown and
his colfederates have suffered on the gallows
the punishment they deserved. aud the people
of the North have denounced Brown as a
traitor and murderer. aud have repeatedly
and in the most unequivocal manner express
sed their adherence OF the crime, and their
approval of the punishment This ought,
Certainly, to satisfy the people Of the South.
No doubt, also, there are people in the South
who are on the opposite extreme, and would
be glad to find occasion TO take up arms
against the North, and sever the Union. But
We have good reason TO believe that they are
"few aud far between
This tragical afrlir ut Harper's Ferry, in
stead of being signal Tor war or an express
sion of hostility in the North, will no doubt
rebound to the good OF the country, and will
bring about better stale of feeling than has
for many years existed. The abolitionists
will see that they cannot enter into the slave
States and commit, with impuniiy, their deeds
OF bloudshed and murd r.
Now, what should be done under the cir
cumstances? Why, the very best thing that
can be done is tn avoid everything that is
calculated to inflame the passions, or to fan
the fame already kindled between the two
sections of our country. Let the conserva-
tive party. which, no doubt. has an over
whelning majority both North and South, do
all they can TO keep down fanaticism, and
conciliate the good will aud friendship of all
parties. II is not expected that all should
see and think alike on any subject. AS we
expect then to think and ACT FOR ourselves,
and enjoy our own opinions, We ought TO al
low others the same privilege. Ii Is not to
a>pirants aud sycoPhants. who have their
own interests in view. and not their coun-
try's, that we are to look for safety, but to
the good sense of the people.
1t seems to me that, Il people Will only live
up to their privileges, and assert their rights,
from proper conviction Of duty, a dissolu-
ton of the Union would be impossible. Even
at the present time, notwithstanding all The
excitement that exists, | do not believe that
an army could Inc raised ia a single State,
either North or South, If the oijec, was to
dissolve the Union. The people would rise
in their majesty and rally around the stand
ard OF their country.
Our country. at present, IS Too much diyi-
ded on the satj CT vi poiities; and each party,
no doubt, attaches GOO much importance Co
their own opinions. have no idea that the
paTii, arr really a. tar Fpart as they would
make the peopie biicve- The difference ex-
lists more ia ila sessetisR than in rally, aud
little mole-hill l. rails, do a moGatlla- These
things Oagbt not so 10 lie.
am glad 10 learn that some Of cur most
conservative politicians. OF all pariies. are
now taking into consideration the propriety
OF organizing new party. on the basis OF
Usion. by giviag up their party names, and
rail, Ing around a eommoa standard, for The
salsaiion OF their eoantry. Such an orgaai-
lion As this Is ndiy called Tor as the preseat
time, and can see no PLAZA that Is 80 we'll
calculated 30 unite the peoPle and save The
Union as This. Essry traie-hesEted Americas
ought 10 be willing, even al = sacrifice. 20