Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-02-01

e,
d1dates. An omission to vote for these can
didatss is equivalent to a vote against them.
Reconstruction of the Union-Charac-
teristie speech of EIr. Yancey.
We lay before our readers this morning an
article copied from the Augusta (Ga..l Re
public, and speech made by the Hon. W. L..
YAxcEY in the Alabama Stale Convention.
We do this for the purpose of showing what
leading disunionists think of The idea of re-
constructing the Union.
We hear men declare that they are not dis
unfonists, but that they favor the secession Of
Tennessee and all the slave States. believing
that TO be the best means Of securing the
guarantees demanded for the protection of
our constitutional rights. With due difference
to the opinions and Judgment Of this class OF
secessionists. We must say they are making
lamentable mistake. The disunion leaders
in the Cotton States, who have succeeded IN
precipitating them into secession, do not in
tend to permit a reconstruction OF the Union
Mr.. YAxCET declares his views. in the speech
we publish to-day, frankly and boldly. No
new guarantees, no amendments TO the con-
stitutiou, no compromise, can induce hlA to
return to the Union He would not consent
even that the people of Alabama should be
permitted to determine whether they approve
the government which will be organized by
the Congress at Montgomery. In the South
ern Convention which met in this city in
June, 1850. Gov HAMMOND of South Carolina,
in reply to an objection urged against
measure before the Convention, that the peo
pie had not been consulted, and might oppose
il, made the declaration-"WE ARE THE
LEADERS OF THE PEOPLE" Upon this senti-
ment Mr.. YANCET, aud his Observation-Disclosures,
are now acting; aud, whatever may be The
real wishes of the people, they intend that
the experiment. of a SoutAern Confederation shaH
Be- fully tested. And so long as they hold out a
gainst a reconstruction none will be had.
They have the State Governments, backed
by an organized military force, and can
overawe and subdue conflicting public senti-
ment. We admenish all, therefore. who are
favoring the secession of Tennessee. on the
ground of a reconstruction of the Union, to
beware. They are giving disunion the nene-
fit of their influence, without a reasonable
chance of accomplishing their ultimate pur-
poses. Reconstruction would he difficult,
we're the antasouistic sentiments which d.
vide the people, North and South. on the
subject of slavery, reeonciled. But this can
not be done. Men may compromise; addi-
tional guarantees may be given US: but sla-
very viii still be regarded q moral, social
and political evil by the North aud this fact,
will have immense influence against recon-
struction in the more ultra South, iufiamed
az il is with the belief that the dominant par
ty, North, desire to establish the social and
political equality of the negro with the white |
man. But, this out Of the way, reconstruction !
would not be easily accomplished Upon |
this point. the Baltimore American says truly, |
anybody at all familiar with the earlier his |
tory Of the Republic viii remember the diff |
culfies that were surmOunted by the trainers /
of our Constitution. 1t was an arduous task.
performed by statesmen of uudoubted abili-
ty; and the conflicting interests of the widest
extremes Of the nation were as nothing in
day. In a compact to be formed, or part
nership established, between dozen mem
bers, it is not credible that there should be so
many opposing demands, SO many asperities
to smoothe away, as when the partnership iu-
cludes nearly three times as many members.
The most obvious effect of the dismember-
ment would be TO define the position of each
separate State more sharply than ever be-
fore. Although there are mnItitudes of COM
non interests which might serve as a founda-
ion for the reconstructionists, there are more
separate and conflicting claims to be adjust
ID. While the Union is maintained We hear
'ut little of the special wants of any sepa-
ate State. The contest is for the rights of
section, aud while this engages the attention
,f the public the Independent interest of any
special commonwealth does not rise to the I
urfaee The great western river that forms
ne boundary of so many States happens TO
un through the territory of Louisiana, and
be sovereign authority of that State may be
laimed over all that portion of the river
rom its mouth to the southern border of
Mississippi. And when reconstructing
Union, Louisiana would have much to offer
n exchange for peculiar rights and priviIeg-
s, If she only offered the free navigation of
he Mississippi. If anybody is disposed TO
neer at such a claim. let him remember that
le is sneering IN the Union. Out Of il. this
'ery claim could only be resisted by force of
rms. This single illustration may be suffi-
lent to show the unspeakabIe folly of advo-
ating disunion "a ordy to a reconstruction.
I is like dashing costly vase to fragments
md then sticking the fragments together
nth liquid glue. Elf