Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-09-27
DarIs ana Stephens

A suggestion in one of the Richmond papers. in
favor of supplanting Hon. ALEXANDER Il. STEPHENS
for the Vice Presidency, at the election in Noyem
Der, BY some other gentleman, has elected much
comment and various arguments against the cha nge
Inasmuch as there is not one man in a thousand
who prefers other to either President DAVIS or
Vice President STEPHENS, for the positions which
they so ably and worthily I'LL in this great crisis,
we have nst heretofore thought it worth the time
and space, in our columns, to discuss the sugges-
ton, or honor it with passing notice. We would
not exchange DAVIS and STEPHENS in their positions.
for any two statesmen in the Confederacy and what
is more, the people are not disposed even to enter
tain controversy on that point. They
are emphaticaly both of them the right
men In the right places. Then let the
people rest under conviction, SO profoundly, un-
chAngeaby and periodically entertained, without
being disturbed with the ides that any more than
few dissatisfied and obstreperous individuals, who
wish to Ill the public eye, even if it be in rather
ridiculous manner, it seems to u.s. are making all
this noise with the sole object Of learning how the
public pulse may beat
One of the arguments which has been adduced 70
sstting aside Georgiss great statesman, we will no.
lice, in order that we may Enthusiastically declare
our reprobation OF it. 1t is that he belonged to
particular school of politicians bsfore the secession
of Georgia from the Union.
This argument is effe ctually answered. by Ho
MADISON MCAFEE, Of Mississippi, in letter with
drawing his name from the list of aspirsnts for
Governor of that State. The answer is crushing:
when the morning drums beat on the plains of
Manassas, says Mr.. McAfee, d" the roll call of Mis-.
sissippi was answered alike by Wing and Democrat
Co-operatOnist and Secessionist Side by side and
shoulder to shoulder, they struggled on that fierce
fought field together while living they struck the
foe AID the remains of the glorious dead repose be-
meath the same monument. No patriot under such
circumstances, for any purpose would wish to re-
vive the party differences OF the past, producing
discord and dissensiOns where all are now harmo.
nious and united, and struggling together for COM
mon purpose with fraternal feelings"
Let at least until we have driven back the foe,
banished from our political vocabulary, when Off
ces are to be bestowed all such words as "orignal
secessionists" and Original unionists" and decide
upon the claims of men from their qualities Of head
and heart and from the ZEAL enthusiasm and pstri-
otism they display in advancing our holy cause
The antecedents Of public men, may, it Is true,
throw some light upon their ssgacity as statesmen.
But in admitting this rule it is but ustto take into
view their whole antecedent history and acts and
not merely single opinion or act. There is moth
ing, however, to be deprecated, at the pres
ent time, than discussion Of Political antecedents
and he ought to be looked upon with positive sus-
pcion, who under any guise, directly or indirectly,
attempts to revive any of the old party watch
words, prejudices, or designations, with q view to
procure the promotion or ostraeism Of any public
man.
Another argument which has been brought to
bear to the attempted injury Of Mr. STEPHENS is that
he and the President beth from Cotton States"
This we regard scarcely less dangerous than the
one we have commented on.
Even in the midst of a struggle for existence, the
people called on to sectionalize the Confedcracy
and to kinde the fires of that dscord which has dis
membered the cid Union.
Danish the thought The eleven Confederate
States all one in heart, soul, sentiment and will
permit jealOusies to distract their great cause
and bresk the force of their resistance to the des
poism that would crush and destroy than all alike
The only question they viii admit in deciding upon
their officers, will be, are they the right men. an
hog SigRO rellceiRliS."