Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-09-26
PREsIDEyTIsL rrckEr.

We publish at the head Of our columns The
names OF JEFFERSON DAVIS and ALEXANDER
III. STEPHENS for President and Vice-PreSi-
dent of the Confederate States, under the
permanent Constitution. We do 50 for the
reason that we think the press of the South
should give expression to- the general wish of
the Southern people, that those illustrious
patriots shall continue to occupy the exalted
stations. the duties of which, in the infancy
of the Republic, they have discharged with
such signal advantage to the S)uth and hon.
or to themselves. For many reasons they
should be continued in officer by the sponta-
neous and unanimous SURFACES of The people.
As disposition to supercede at least one of
them, has appeared in certain quarters, We
deem it proper to notice briefly some OF the
obvious reasons why no change should be
made OF. attempted. ~
Thoroughly conversant with the affairs of
the Confederacy, and unsurpassed in ability
to discharge the duties of its highest offices,
it should enjoy the benefit of their invalua-
BILE services 10 shaping the policy and direct
ing the operations of it's permanent govern
ment about to be inaugurated during its first
Presidential term. They are pre-eminently
fitted. by their complete Identification with
the Southern cause, sympathy with its spirit,
and comprehension OF its aims, to impress
upon the new government that policy and
those characteristics, consonaut with the pro-
epcCAlfO SFcdluccS anu OcsLfu1 Ot
the Southern Republic.
The attempt to supercede either of these
popular favorites, would tend directly to
foment dissatisfaction, to produce division,
aud kindle political strife among the people.
at time when their undivided energies and
attention should be directed to the sole and
all important object of achieving Southern
independence. They alone eau unite the suf-
frages of the people, the great body of whom
Il 10 ~ for he.-
the Presidency or Vice-Presidency, as mex
pedient, and are disposed by common con-
sent to let the government remain in the
hands which so far have so ably conducted it.
1t is important to the Southern cause. as
well as due to themselves, that the course of
the President and Vice-Prerident, chosen to
administer the Provisional Government,
should be emphatieally and Enthusiastically in
dorSed by their unanimous election to the
same offices in the Permanent Government of
of the Confederate States. The failure to
bestow that verdict OF approval upon either
of them, would be construed, by the enemies
OF the South, into proof of latent disaftec-
ton in the Southern mind towards the cause
| of independence, and diSapproval of the great
movement with which those eminent patriots
have been so intimately identified, and would
but serve to stimulate continued efforts TO
subJugate the South, which from the first
have been prompted and encouraged, to
great extent, by the d-lusion that the South
ern people are not united in the struggle Tor
| independence.
To the governments of Europe, which are
watching the gallant struggle of the South
| with intense concern, heightened by their
| own interest in the result, change in the
| highest executive officers OF The new govern
| ment, at this time. would seem to indicate a
want of stability, and diminish their conf
| dence in its ability to sustain itself. When
| 1t is considered that this confidence is with
| them prerequisite to their acknowledgment
| of the independence of the South, national
| policy should dictate the avoidance of any
| changes having tendency to cast any doubt
upon the firmness and permanenee of the Con-
| federate Government, or the unwaYering de-
| vOtion of its people.
Ii were supertiuous to eXpatiate upon the
merits of our President and Vice-President.
| upon their claims TO the gratitude, the adj
miraiiOn aud confidence of the Southern
people.
Jefferson Davis, the warrior statesman, the
dauntless hero, the ripe scholar, the brave
soldier, the accomplished gentleman, the en-
lightened ruler and unblemished patriot, al
| ready holds the first place in the affections
OF the South. grateful and appreciative
people accord to him the revered title of Sa-
viOur and Father of his Countrywide Second
WA>HISGTUN-and the sublime eulogium
which was accorded to firglnizs immortal
son, will be pronounced over the chivalrOus
| and high-souled Davis. when the nation which
he redeemed, shall mourn his death, and Gel
citrate his obsequies with the solemn pomp
of national sorrow, that he twas ii st in war,
| first in peace, and first in the hearts of his
| cOuntrymen!"
All that we have said of Jefferson Davis as
statesman and patriot, may be repeated
with equal truth of Alexander I'll. Stephens,
| man whose eminent abilities, spotess pu-
rity OF character, and exalted patriotism
marked him out as pre-emnently worthy to
fl the second Office in the gilt Of the South
cru Confederacy, and to assume the duties of
| the first, if called upon 10y the dispensation
of Providence.
| While there is no doubt that it is the earn
| est wish OF the great body of the Southern
| people that these distinguished public SER
wants shall retain the stations they now
adorn, it is very desirable that there be no
| opposition to their election whatever; that
there be no attempt to bring out another
| candidate, even for the Vice Presidency, as
has been suggested, but that the people give
| a signal proof OF their entire unanimity of
sentiment and purpose in the unanimous sup
port which they give to Davis and Stephens,
| and the entire absence OF tactious opposition.
= Memphis AUdlanche