Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-04-21
HANCOCK. rENDLEToN, OR JOHN

- ~ w Hes OAN 6OAAAN-
SON.
John Forsyth, editor of the Mobile
Register, is in Washington, and in re-
cent letter to his journal, speaks as fol-
lows OF the Democratic Convention, the
position of the Southern delegates, the
drift Of the policy in government to be
advocated, and the probable nominee
The universal wish and expectation of
the Democracy of the United States is that
the whites Of the South shall be represented
by delegates in the National Convention. l
have taken good deal Of pains to learn
what are she sentiments OF leading Demo-
crats as TO the action Of the party, should
il win the administration in the November
contest in reference TO Federal policy to-
ward the South. 1t was q question of
the largest practical interest, whether,
should the Democracy come into power, it
would leave the whites of the South to
struggle as best they could ont of the mire
of Radical reconstruction, or whether it
would at once lift them out by the
strong hand of Federal power. ! get but
one answer to the inquiry, and that is the
Democracy will be swift to sweep from the
statute book the whole system Of military
and African reconstruction as utterly null
and void, and of no effect, and at once to
recognize the existing white constitutions
Of the Southern States, and re-admit the
latter to their full equality into the Union
| must confess that / did not personally
need such assurances, for when policy and
good faith both point TO one course, the re-
suit is seldom doubtful. But some Southern
friends did deem them necessary. / think
that, before Congress- adjourns, the Demo
Gratis in that body will make further de-
claralion and pledge TO this effect.
InAuentially, the Southern delegates will
have to play very important part in the
July National Convention. am sure the
feeling Of the men of the South is to bear
themselves with moderate reticence in that
body, upon whose action so much depends.
But a position Of great influence will be
forced upon them, as to advice upon, If not
absolute determination of, a very impor-
tant and delicate question. Gen. Grant
being the opposing candidate, the soldier
vote of the late great armies, now scattered
in every State, will be large element in
settling the result. And the question is,
can that be counted on for a Democratic
candidate, taken from the wing of the
"Peace Democracy ?" TO take an extreme
case, hardly any will be found to deny that
il would be extremely hazardous to make
Mr.. Vallandigham the standard bearer,
for not only would his peace principles and
his Copperheadism be vocalized from every
stump, but his actual hostility to the war.
1t won't do to undertake million Of men
who were in arms in that war, even by i'm
plication that they fought and risked life
and limb on the wrong side. No one
knows this better than Mr.. Vallandigham
himself.
Mr. Pendleton, of Ohio, will 60 into the
New York Convention with a greater
humber of, and more enthusiastic friends,
than any other man Everybody admits
his high qualifications for the Presidential
Office. Independent in private fortune, he
has turned his leisure for years past to ae-
count in studying the science of politics and
government, and he stands before the coun-
try a ripe statesman, equal to the duties of
the highest offices of craftsmanship.
But the outcry against Vsllandigham, it
is argued, would be raised Ia a lower key
against Pendleton. The idea of this class
OF Democrats is that the Democratic candi-
date must 90 to the soldier vote with an
unstained war record, or Grant will win in
such soldier States as Illinois and others in
the West, which we cannot afford to lose
And what Is a little singular, this class Of
Democrats look TO the Southern influence
in the convention TO settle the question of
eXpediency and policy. The Southern
stake in the result is 50 unspeakably great
that these gentlemen believe the South in
the convention will decide the question
with the maturest consideration, and under
the gravest responsibilities of a sound
Judgment. | submit the case for reflection
TO our people at home.
My own feeling about it needs no conceal
ment While / believe Pendleton is the
trained statesman who would best I'LL the
office, and while he is my first choice, the
fact that the man who has lately made his
mark 80 friendly TO freedom as commander
Of the fifth military district, was the best
fighting corps commander in the Federal
army, would not cause me to hesitate one
instant in giving him my most cordial sup
port. So, too, of President johnson, if
escaping impeachment, and he should be
eligible, and by chance the Democrats
should nominate him. This is a great
question, involving nothing less than the
"deliverance and liberty" of ten States, and
to be most carefully pondered.