Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1860-08-03
From the Union and American Sept. 9, 1855.
Col. xancey,s Letter to Mr. Pryor
Col. THOMAS FL. WATTS.

Col. Yancey,s Letter to Mr.. Pryor.
We find in the columns of the Richmond
Enquirer, long letter from Col. Yancey TO
Roger A. Pryor, Ed, of the Richm nd South.
Neither the novelty of the sentiments which
this document contains nor the ability with
which they are maintained, entities it to the
slightest attention. The organization and
objects of the Southern League. and the
scheme for 'precipitating the Cotton States
into Revolution" a purpose which was
avowed by Col. Yancey in his letter to Mr..
Slaughter, have already BEEN discussed in
our columns. The letter before us only
rriterateS views. which have been hitherto
expressed by Col. Yancey himself, and by
many others of that class of politicians who.
failing to gain distinction By their talents and
ability. seek to obtain notoriay by the advocacy of
extreme sectional and disorgdniing measures
Anv apprehension tina: we might entertain
with regard to the dissemination of these
dangerous doctrines. are relieved, in the
present instance, by the feebleness with
which they are urged. The characteristics Of
the document are proliXiiy, egoiism. and I'M
becility. 1t will do no harm. Very few
will read more than the first paragraph, and
thuse who do SO will easily Diet CT the errors
and fallaci s which il contains.
There is one portion IF the letter, however.
which we d sire to notice. Col. Yancey de-
of the South must be committed en- rely to
the Cotton States. Now we do not doubt
that the true interests of the South might b.
safely entrusted to the peopl of any of ths
Snuthrrn States. We believe that Col. Yam
cry's own State--Alabama-is as faithful 10
the South and as loyal to the Union as any
other, and among the evidence of her fidelity
we point to the fact. that the large body o,
her citizens have fIs. d to unite in this fac
| tious and disorganizing movement, or to elr
vate its author to q position in which b.
COLL propagate his 'pinions. We believe
that all the Cotton States will vigilanuy
guard the honor and interest of our section.
and that belief is strengthened by the tact,
that they discontinuance the scheme which
Col. 4ancey has set on foot to "precipitat.
| them into revolution"
But while We acknowledge, this we repel
any insinuation which implies suspicion
| that Tennessee is less sensitive to the honor
of the South, or that she would be less prompt
| in resisting any invasion of our common
rights than any other member of the conf
| eracy. We deny the justice of Col. Yancey'
| charges, and the CORRECTNESS of the facts ~
which he seeks to sustain them. He says:
ITO be candid. ]. place but little trust in
such States as Delaware, Maryland, Tennes-
| see, Kentucky, and Missouri. In the first
slavery is but nominal in extent. In Mary
land freesoiltr is an honorcd Representative,
/ in Congress, and in the great issue of 1856
| that State separated herself from her sisters
and voted for Fillmore. Tennessee has long
maintained freesoil Senator in Congress
and large majority now sustain him there
In the Methodist Conference her delegates
voted against striking out the anti-slavery
clause in its discipline-while she maintain
| on her Supreme Court bench. and in the chair
| OF law professorsbip in her Univ ersity, ont
| who openly declares slavery to be moral
social and political evil"
| We are net astonished that Col. Vance,
places but little trust in Tennessee. Tb,
home of Jackson and Polk is not propition,
to the growth and nurture of disunion doc
trines, nor do the people of this State regard
with much favor men no entertain the views
which Col. 1ancey expresses. The State o
| Tennessee fully reciprOcates Gel. Yancey',
feelings towards her. We don't think tina
any of the States have great deal OF conf
dence in him. Alabama has neglected to re-
cOgnize his merits, all though be has long beer
an aspirant for place in the United State
Sepate, and his influence was so little fell. il
the Alabama delegation in the last Congress
that he could not induce single member
that delegation to vote against the Engiisl
Bill, although he denounced it as q '.subms
sion to the naughty demands of the free
|
single county In the State has sufficient con
idence in the gallant Colonel to trust him a
its representative in the State Legislature.
But let us examine the charges which b
urges against our own State, and the facts Oh
which they are founded. 1t is true, az asce,
ted by Col. Yai cey, Chat we have q free
soil Senator in Congress. but untrue that IL
is sustained by large minority of our pee
pie. large minority of Mr.. BelPs owl
party condemn his course. If the people @
Tennessee had an opportunity to-day of ex
pressing their views with regard to Mr.. Bell
late action in Congress, four-6fths of then
would pronounce their unqualified disappro
baton of his conduct. He voted in oppos
ton TO the wishes OF the State, and in d fianc
of the positive instructions of the Legisla
ture.
The allegation that the delegates from Ter
nessee in the Methodist Conf. renee vote
against striking out the anii-slavery claus
In the discipline. Is totally false Every del
gate from Tennessee voted in fauor of St hin
ont fadt clause 1t is equally Untrue that "
maintain upon our Supreme Il. nch ma
who openly declares that slavery is a mora
social and political evil. These statement
OF Col. Yancey's. display the most disgrucefi
ignorance or most culpobie disregard for "a
truth Of has assertions Aud such II the mate
rial oil which ibis tissue of absurdi les cor
sists. Such is the man who assumes {
prescribe five of the Sou bern States {
the confedersev as unworthy of the conf
dence of the Southern people. We sh.
pause long before we abandon the pr:ncipl.
we have learned from Jackson and Polk, an
the great fathers of our Democratic faith,
listen to the teachings of VIM. l.. Yancey.
@-In Virginia the fight between the tw