Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-04-13

cafes, ana are suited 10 peculiar stctiunS VI
isms. Whether known by the name OF
"Squatter Sovereignty or Congressional
Slave Code for the Territories" they are
alike opposed to the true doctrine OF 'snon-
Intervention" and calculated to renew and
keep alive the dangerous agitation of the
slavery question, which both the political
parties were pledged to resist. 'ttnder chat
ever ssope or color II is presented" Then come
all the shades of disunion at the South-meu
who have been the advocates of reopenlng
the African Slave Trade-men who sustain
the Secession or Disunion scheme. proposed
by the Legislature of Sou'h Carolna-Sho
have couuselled extreme measures for more
than quarter of century; and who. in the
garb OF Democracy, have used all their ener-
gies TO promote the work of disunion. aud
prepare the way for the erection Of a Southern
CUnfederacy. s-s ss 49, e-r.-.r.s
The Charleston Convention is 10 behold
the scene of all their elements. "black spirits
and white and red spirits, and gray" CON-
glomerated. Men VINO have devoted their
lives to the service of the Constitution and
National principles, are TO behold the hG-
initiating spectacle. and their sentimenis.and
connsels are to be trampltd under foot, by
those who go committed to doctrines subver-
siye of the Government and the rights of the
people of the States.
The EVIL EFFECTS OF CONVENTIONS.
With the trickery and scbeming, the bar
gain and sale of Conventions, | have had no.
thing 10 do. The evil effects to the country
of disrcgarding public opinion and putting
forw ard the choice of politicians has been seen
and felt by good men of all parties. At first
something was dine Conventions, because they
to some extent, represented the people. They
have degenerated into assemblages. the ma
jority of which represent nobody but the hang
ers-on of towns, while the bone and sinew of
la h..r-
tion under The pressure of the sectional ques-
ton which now divides the country.
Nor are these evils less apparent to host
of good national men who form minority of
Conventions. They cling TO the hope that
their presence and action will e, entuatc in
some good-that they may act as heaven TO
the lump of corruption and restore the days
of patriotism and honesty; but Call such to
bear me witness, when say that their efforts
Thus far have been unavailing. They are
sill hoping. and, though such is not their OBJ
ject, they contribute vastly to the perpetual
lion of the corruption TO which they are OPP
posed. Their names and virtues furnish the
props upon which politicians rest. Their as
ISOLATION gives char acttr TO the proceedings,
and though their councils ore unbeeded, the
dict of Conventions often wins the respect
of communities, from their connection with
them.
THE POLITICIANS IGNORE THE PEOPLE.
Tie fact is current, that the people are
ignored entirely by politicians when the
chances Of presidential candidates are summed
up and lie Tho has at bis command the
greatest number of clique-leaders. is reg ard
ed as C rIain of nomination.
This is not to be attributed either to the
failure OF republican principles Of govern
mcnt, a want OF patriotism on the part of
the people. The principles maintained by
Jackson and his compeers are eternal. They
may slumber while the war of factions is
going on. The serpent of sectionalism may
crawl stealihily toward the altar of cur
liberties; but, when its head is raised TO
strike down the Constitution, and perhaps
alasi not until then, the patriotism of Jack
son will, even from his grave. awaken and
arouse the people to a sense of their danger.
TroublOus times are coming. when, unless
the people, in the majesty of their national
ity. go forth to battle against corrupt cliqnes
and ambitious agitatOrs. the days OF the Re-
public will be numbered.
sUBsERvIENCY To DBMAGOGUEs.
A slavish subserviency to arrogant dema-
gogueS in the leading strings of cl:ques. has
POSSESSED those who aspire to office, and ia
is sought at their hands, rather than of
the people. The result is, that the bold spir-
ii which once characterized our statesmen, is
cramped. They should stand the sentinels
of liberty and progress. challenging the ad-
miration of the world for the beneficence of
sur institutions, or announcing national doc
trines in keeping with their expansive spirit;
hut bound within the scope of platforms. they
dare not jeopardiZe party success by the
vuunciation of aught that is new or startling
Politicians no longer take the lead in the
path of progress and enterprise. No great
measure, is proposed 10y them. They are con-
tent to be at stand still and enj ~ the
spoils: and when the masses have shown their
determination to achieve result. a. was the
case with the annexation of Texas, they step
in and convert il to their own purposes
WHAT PRESIDENT SHOULD BE.
A statesman elected to the Presidency of
these United States, should enter upon the
discharge OF duty, bound within the narrow
confines of no platform, fram~d to serve the
purposes of success. but subject to be con-
strued to suit the views of every faction aud
section. He should have doctrines clearly
enunciatcd. bold and independent. Standing
upon the Constitution he should embrace in
his grasp all that tends 10 the welfare OF the
American people 1.-the expansion of American
Institutions, and the defence Of American
honor, 10 matter from whence the assault
might come. What party-what platform
will sustain such Presidrnt?-
Surrounded by the mn,ons of a party, tied
to a meaningl IS platform, compelled to con-
suit the success of a parry. rather tnan the
welfare of the country, what humiliation
would fall upon man of nerve and patriot
ism? And should he attempt TO act as duty
would dictate, and Sampson-lkc break the
wthcs that bound him, no maligEity has Yet
been invented. which would exceed the hos
tilty with which those who bat yesterday
sought his favors would pursue him.