Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-07-09
The revolution without Parties.

There should be but one party in the great reyo-
luton of the South for Southern Independence. Let
there be small faction if that must be to oppose our
independence, or for reconstruction of a Union
which denied the Southern States equal rights and
now seeks to subjugate them because they have the
manhood to and maintain their rights and hon
or The only basis for political union among Southern
patriots should be resistance the tyranny of the
Northern usurper, and an unfinching determine
ton to maintain the independence ofthe South in the
Confederate States. Government Any subdivision.
gotten up for the purpose of advancing the claims of
particular cques for the separation of the
great Southern party into hostile and alien sections
is either fatal error Of judgment, or a designing
and selfish attempt to weaken the great cause and
paralyze its power. Why should the true friends
of Southern independence and the opponents of re
construction, in the very midst of the revolution
begin strife controversy and alienation. If indeed
it be true that their sims are the same if one great
and patriotic object animates them, if they are all
earnest and sincere IN their advocacy of the indie
pendenee of the Southern States from the CALLING
tyranny of Black Republican power, why should
they quarrel about minor matters and becom
enemies or rivals, when all their power
anu 6lf6LBlu ~ H6cueu W vi WAT
of defence waged to maintain the dearest and most
sacred rights Of freemen? Are the mere spoils of
official station an adequate cause for involving our
own people in strife and discussion, and losing sight
of the great contest for National existence in which
we are engaged? Mu-t we descend to the misera-
bic scramble of former years. which has disgraced
us IN the eyes of the world, even in time of peace
and prosperity, and thus hazard our unity as
a people, The opposition of tories and trait
ories we must count on, in any event. They
will naturally harass and embarrass US as
much as they can. But shall we divide and
distract the great party that has conducted the
oluton and having divided it, shall then bid for
the votes of the tory and traitor class, in order
that one or the other of us may obtain the patron
age of the State and drive the other into obscury
Forbid it patriotism Forbid it Honor and Soutbs
ern independence Incur judgment no true South
ern man viii give his countenance to such bid.
Let US remain united and compact Let US make
no distinctions between those who are heartily and
sincerely engaged with in this great and glOri-
GUS cause, as to the time they became satisfied of
the designs Of our INSCRIPTIONS enemy and de-
termined to resist HIM.
Let us only ask our candidates are they honest,
are they true, judicious and sincere friends of
Southern independence? Let every true man, if he
does not possess it, cultivate spirit OF Indifference
to the mere spois and patronage of office We should
always inquire whether a mans heart is right
whether he sincerely desires to maintain, at every
hazard the present position of independence of the
South, and whether he will ever oppose any
union with those who have preyed upon and then
oppressed MS! Let the people require distinct and
specific disclosures Of the principles and pur-
poses of those who ask their suffrages, and
trust none who are for dissensons who would
conciliate and temporize with declared traitors.
But let them never count the time when indvid-
uals become convinced Of the nefarious designs of
our enemy, resting satisfied lOi the acts Of men after
they sspoused the Southern cause and resolving to give
their ,countenance and support to none who do not
truly and earnestly enter into the great work and
advocate all the measures that are likely to pro
mote harmony, success and glorious victory. This
is the true test of devotion to our cause. There
should be and are but two parties, the Southern
party and the anti-Southern party, whatever may
be the specious professions of men.