Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-03-20
A New England Sailors Opinion OF
our Political Affairs.

letter dated in this city, February 18th, to
the Barnstable (Mass.) Patriot:
The Patriot is not only a medium of infor-
nation and interest to me on account of the
news contained in it. but often find it real
vindicltOr of the character of that host OF
honorable and conservative men of which
you are one. After reading it myself, show
il to my friends aud acquaintances here,
t. prove to them that. although the M jnrity
OF the Northern people have, in their bind
Ne and folly, attempted to rob the South
ern States of their rights, and crush them
down with weight grievous to be borne
still, all Northern men are not dead to the
prOmptings of humanity and justice, and in
that way. as far as il has been in my power,
| have made many of my associates to see
that they have true friends there, who are
fighting maIfully against injustice and op-
preston, in their behalf, and bOpe-Bay, even
know--that it has given encouragement in
many instances TO those that we're almost de-
spondent of ever bringing about any recon-
ella ion with those who are soon TO take the
Lead in this glorious nation. l have been
here quite long enough to become well ac-
quainted with the sentiments and feelings of
the people about Nashvill'. and vicinity and
find them to he an Intelligent. high minded.
generous and soci Il people, ever ready with
d helping hand, to prove by deeds, as well as
words. that they are willing to live and let
live :" having a confidence in themselves,
and in each other. which has tendency in
these dark and gloomy times 10 inspire the
down hearted with the bright hope that soon
the pOrtentOus cloud which has so long been
lowering over our land may be dispersed en-
tirely, or else pass off to leeward without
doing any serious damage. But Tennessee,
as state, is not trying to lull herself into
any feeling of false security; she knows her
danger. and knowing. dare face it.
In the North, the sky looks black and
threatening; the ''scuds" are flying thick and
fast, with now and then fash of lightning,
accompanied with some pretty tall thunder,
but still the men on board of the good ship
are not frightened; fear is not a part of their
composition; they have taken all her light
sails in, and seeu everything made snug, and
although she pitches into it" considerably,
and the old compass, (the constitution which
always has been depended upon. in all kinds
of weather heretofore, has been so banged
about by Republicans and AbOlitionists of
late, that its very difficult to tell how much
to allow for variation, yet l think on the
whole that she heads pretty well up towards
Washington, and truly hope she may be safely
mOored before long. with the stars and stripes
floating 10 the breeze, in just such berth,
Major, as you and your friends are striving
row, seven of the feet in which she was sail
ing put their helms up, square in their
yards, and scud before the gale; not know
ing how mucn sea room they had, and hav-
ing no responsible man to tell them when to
bring to the wind again. Tennessee is of
firmer stuff. Scudding is her last resort
Every timber and spar in her is as sound
and strong as when new. and although
few weeks since, saw plainly that she was
making more leeway than Roadway, yet
am happy to say that now ''she holds her
own" Probably ere this you have learned
that the convention which was to be called,
in order to take into consideration the i'm
portant question of secession, has been
voted down by a good big majority. The
reason of it was, that the people at large,
having the example of several OF the seeded
states before them, did not dare to trust the
politicians with so serious business as this
great question amounts to, even when viewed
in its most favorable aspect. But don't let
the Republicans fatler themselves, that they
have made a conquest of Tennessee; she is
in the Union now, and in the Union will re-
main, as long as there Is the least possible
chance for her to get back what the North
has fiIched from her; but if after a thorough
trial, it is clearly proved that she cannot
obtain her rights, which are given aud guar
anteed by that holy compact which gave
rise to the American Union, she will try
what virtue there is in a Southern Confede-
racy.
To give you an idea of how the voting
went of. 1 must first inform you that each
county is divided into civil districts, having
from eighty to one hundred and fifty voters
each. At the place where voted there were
ninely-three votes cast in all. Among the
number there was but one 'straight-out !" Sc
cession ticket pOlled. and but one for the
Union " right or wrOng;" the other ninety
one were for the Union, but at the same time
bound to have their gallant State placed side
by side with the prOudest, knowing that she
deserves it. before letting the matter rest.
There was no noise or undue excitement on
the occasion; every man appeared to feel
deeply the responsibility resting upon him in
giving his vote on so important question. /
heard no abuse or hard language against any
one, either North or South. The gentleman
who voted the secession ticket, and the one
who went for the Union as il is, were both
treated with the utmost poiiteness by all.
believe Black Republican, bad there been
such specimen of the genus homo present,
could have deposited his vote without caus-
ing any offensive remark, had be conducted
himself decently. L occasionally meet with
short paragraphs in the Republican Iapers,
making the complaint that they are not un-
derstoUd at the South, and that they have
been grossly misrepresented &C.; but by my
way Of thinking, they are known and under
stoOd to the disgrace and sorrow, if not to
the eternal ruin OF the whole nation aud if
any are stiIl in doubt about their being known
aud appreciated here, will just say Tor their
benefit, that they may rest perfectly easy In
regard TO that matter, for everybody k1ioscs EN-