Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-02-27

We have too long taken it for granted that there
Is but one opinion in Tennessee upon the subject of
slavery. There are but few indeed who openly
aYow themselves as Abolitonists, very few who
profess even sympathy for Black Republcanisn.
Yet he must be blind who does not see all around
us evidences of hostility to those States and to the
men of Whatever States that have stood forth most
boldly in defense of Southern rights. " Had they
stopped any where short of secession, had they
proposed any measure of redress in the Union, had
they demanded any security for our rights which
did not involve separation, we should have had" it
is said q united South.v
Such aFewals might be regarded as sincere, if the
history of the past were not so wildly impressed
upon the public mind. The extreme pro-slaVery
men, IS they have been called, have for years past
been pleading with us for harmony and unity of
action upon this subject They have pointed to the
dangers by which we were all alike threatened.
They have plead with US TO unite with them in the
assertion Of rights, that we should meet togeth
er, not as partizans, but as men having common
interest and present unbroken front in favor Of
our rights. That we should speak plainly to the
North and say to them, not in the language Of
threat; but plainly and unmistakabV thus far and
no farther"
And what has been the inEariable answer to all
this; "There is no danger from the North, you
are set of demagogues, political agitators seeking
your own promotion by pandering to the prejudices
of the people. Let Abolitionsm alone and it will die
out for want of opposition. We understand your
purpose, you a set Of knaves whose object is to
destroy the Union, ard build up Southern Confed-
erscy."
Tbo%w = A.
expressed, there cannot be doubt Now that there
is no lsnger difference Of opinion to the dangers
by which we are threatened men begin to take
position according to their real sympathies Some
of those who have heretofore been most vehement
in their protestatons of devotion to Southern rights
now that the tug of war has come, now that the
danger can no longer be averted by empty declama-
ton. turn their faces NOrthward and with all the
unaffected simplicity, of dupes, protest with equal
vehemence that they never had any idea of pushing
their opposition to abotonism 30 far as dissolution
of this glorious Union" They love the South and
its institutions very dearly but not so well as the
blessed Union they will do any thing in the way of
defamation, they willing to make any sort of
threats to maintain Southern rights but for action
that's different thing. 1--WE are not strong enough
for that"
Others, again, as we have said, honestly doubted
the policy Of that fiery opposition which the South
proposed. While they admitted the existence of
danger in the powerful party organized at the North
for eur destruction, they still believed, hoped at
least, that the conservative element there. would
have strength enough united with the South to con-
atitute majority and thus save the South. Now
that facts stubborn, undenable facts, have dis
sipated all these hopes, sincere men are ranging
themselves side by side, without an inquiry as to
past opinions, and asking only where and how they
may best serve the cause of Southern rights. All
honor to such men.
There are some of US who had only to follow out
our former professions, our party predictions if
you please to their legitimate and logical sequence
to step into the ranks OF the Southern rights party
Considering how many have stepped aside, alarmed
at being left in possible minority honor to those
say we, who, in adversely. as in prosperity, have
stood gallanty in the first ranks of danger, in do
fence Of Southern rights. But above all, we repeat
honor to those who despite the strong ties of past
party associations, now in the hour of her utmost
need fling themselves in the breach in defense of the
South and her institutions.
Men are no longer to be judged by empty profes-
sions. 'He that is not for us is against us'-"the
tree is judged by his fruits Men may counsel,
they may even reprove in words of earnestness an
erring friend brother but they do not habtually
dencunce; they do not exagerate the faults of those
they love; they do not charge falsely they do not
invent SANDER they do not by every in their
power, fOnl fair seek to excite public prejudice
against those whose cause they would really serve
Men Of real Southern impulses, of true Southern |
hearts, do not pour oil into the wounds Of Black |
Repubicanism, while they pour the vials of bitter
wrath and hate, of gall and worm-wood into the |
wounds of the South; they de not close their eyes
to the sins and aggressions, mountain high of our
real enemies, while they magnify the faults or indis
cretions of the South mere mole-hills, into noun
tainS- Neither toA they strce real friend, one tohom
0ey loo, ouer the shoulders Of pretended enemy |
They do not, while seeming to aim at another |
plunge dagger to the heart of friend. Yet it is
by such means that pretended friends aim death |
blow at Southern rights and Southern institutions.
We must no longer deceive ourselves. The ques-
zion of the abolition of slavery is upon u.s. The eff
forts which have been indusriously and so insid-
iOusy made to inst into the public mind prejudices
against the institution of slavery, have been sue
cessful to an extent which few are willing to believe
The moral influences which victorious party
AA@1
already been felt with stunning effect The subject
of slavery, the effects of emancipation, the policy
Of the Black Republican party in all its length and
breadth, must be boldly and fearlessy discussed,
We would gladly have avoided the necessity
of such discussion. But the wound must be
probed to the bottom. While we soothe our
selves into fancied security, that all is weH,
Che position of Abolitionsm of Heiperism ITSELF is
infxsng itself into all the veins of society. The
stakeholder is charged aristocrat and ogareh,
who would deprive the poor man of his rights,
and use the government only for his oppression.
These foul calumnies must be exposed, and the ca
aunniators held up to the scorn and indignation of
a deceived, insulted and outraged people Desper-
ate diseases sometimes require desperate remedies.
1t is is & case of life and death we have to deal
with. Opiates may soothe but Cannot save US.