Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-03-13
WEDNESDAY, MARCH Is, 1861.
The state Canvass.

The time is rapidly approaching when the
people of Tennessee will be called upon to
select candidates for the Executive Chair of
the State. The party lines which have. for a
quarter of q century or more, in one form or
another, divided them, have, in the presence
of great dangers threatening the perpetuity
of our institutions, been nearly obliterated.
In their desire to preserve the Constitution
and the Union, she great masses of the peo-
pie of all parties have riseR to a higher
sphere of thought and action than that OF
party. In the selection of a representative
in the canvass for the Executive Chair. the
inquiry will not be made by the m. was he
with US in former political contests; bit is he
scith rs noac, supporting the Constitution and
the Union, and true to the rights of the peo-
pie of Tennessee under the Constitution and
within the Union? Is he for or against Sc
cession and disunion? The momentous is
sues involved in these interrosatories, over
shadow all questions of mere partisan poll
tics. When the nation is crumbling to pie
ces, the first duty of the good citizen is to
devote himself to its preservation, and when
that is done he can consider matters relative
to the future administration of its affairs. In
this light the Union men of Tennessee view
their duty. and they will act accordingly.
The election on the 9th ult., exhibited
their strength. Ia the selection of guber-
Material candidate they should be careful to
make choice which will not diminish their
power to crush the disunion enemy. The de-
mand heretofore made by parties upon their
standard bearer to canvass the whole State,
has caused many of the best and ablest men
of the State to decline the association of
their names with the canvass for a nomina-
ton Unwilling to undergo the severe labor
and fatigue incident to our campaigns, they
have preferred to repulse the entreaties of
the people, and to remain in private station.
1t appears to US that the present is most
propitious time to abandon the practice OF
stumping the State. And We make the sug-
gestion now, before any candidates are cho-
sen, that the custom may be dropped by uni
yeFsal consent.
In the selection of candidates for Con-
gress and the State Legislature, we trust that
the Union majority will see that they have
ound meu-men who have the irmness to
Withstand the pressure of disuniOn, and can
not be led astray by entreaties or threats. o.
any of the means and appliances which have
been brought to bear successfully in other
States to defeat the will of the people. Let
no man be trusted who is the least tinetured
with treason to the Government. Men who
have already served in either Congress OF
the Legislature, and approved themselves
faithful. should, if they desire reelection, and
the people want them, be permitted to run
without the Intervention of Convention,
bat where necessary, Conventions ought to
be held with view tc the selection Of good
men, and preventing hurtful collisions
amongst ourselves for places.
In conclusion We must urge the Union
men not to depend upon their majority, large
though it be The disunionists will make
desperate attempt to get possession of the
Legislature, and will use any means to ac-
eomplish this end. Let the record of their
action in other States be your warning.