The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1860-08-23
Communication.
WINcIIEsTEH, Tenn,
Auoust :. 1850,

EDIToR llOME J0uRNAL:-
The great sine qua non Ola Bell and
Everett speech seems to be that the
National Democracy is II "disunon
party:' that not onI y its principles,
but the men who advocate them, are
disunion and extreme men. Now this
may be u just imputation on not, but
surely no person has any right to grond
his action in this canvass upon such n
proposition unless it has not only been
demonstrated conclusvcly that such is
the case, but also that the other candi-
dates stand upon platforms, and can
show records free from such IN Obicc-
ton. Let me be understood if the Na-
tlOnal Democracy advocate men who
favor principles which involve disunion,
and that feature is impolitic and objcc-
tionabIc, then its opponents must clear
lhNIl wv HlNl' anu ltl tINo li'Il lIiN INV
charge before they can condemn it, and
make such an accusation valid urgu-
mcnt against its support in the ensuing
election ; in other words, If all are alike
involved, then no one can urge such Il
charge against another. Whatever
others may think and know, | have yet
to learn that the National Democracy
in its supporters are scccSSIonlsts per- Sc
| have never read or heard anything
but unsupported assertions that such
was the case, and until something's lit
tie more competent is offered, | beg
leave to retain my present belief But
that john Bell has been and is now at
heart, and only smothcred by outside
pressure, and extreme diSunjon man, can
be proven by giancing ut the Congress
sionaI Globe for 1850, where at one
time July, passim he is reported to have
used the following language: "And
when you present that issue to me,
say give me separation; give me disu-
Mon; give me anything in preference
toa Union sustained only by power by
constitutional and legal ties, without
reciprocal trust and confidence, If cur
future career is to be one OF eternal dis
cord, Of angry elimination and rccrimi-
ton, give me, rather, separation with
all its consequences" Again: "Ifwc
of the South have made up our minds to
yield nothing, or if better spirit actu,
atcs lis and we are prepared both to
yield something and endure something,
and yet we cannot bring our Northern
brethren to any terms Of just and cqui.
table arrangements, and they will con.
tinuc to vcX and harrass us, now and
forever let us resolve, and let them sui.
fer us to manage our own affairs in our
way" And mark it, John Bell was
then speaking Of union upon constitu-
tiona grounds. But, you may say his
opinions have changed, or the words
were spoken in the heat of debate, or
his platform must now constrain him
to different course ofconduct than is
thurc advocated. Well all these mpos-
abilities may bc true, but you are csta-
ped on the same grounds from bclicv-
ing that Rhctt, Iancey, or any one else
who may have expressed similar views,
may not also have reformed. Now,
such an argument is Of much
force to an honest and candid mind or
not, still apprehcnd that it is sufficient
to mantle that subject with silence
hereafter. However, the respective
parties may be on that subject, st'li the
fact is union or diuaionis not the issue
now before you; and such collateral