Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-08-08
THE DUTY OF THE SOUTHERN PEO.
DIE

The evidence accumulates as to the de-
sire Of the Radicals to bring about coli
lisions in the Southern States, for the
benefit Of that party in the North. We
cOnversed yesterday with a gentleman
whose opportunities for learning the sem
timent and purposes of the Radicals of
the North have been such as to post him
thoroughly, and he assured us that moth
ing would be so gratifying TO them as to
learn that the "Rebels" had murdered a
thousand negroes and "Union men in
this State They would gladly hear Of
such a sacrifice Of life in the hope that It
would elect Grant and give them the
control Of affairs four years longer. 1t Is
the honest conviction that this is
the earnest desire of the leading
Radicals Of the North, with whom the
Radicals Of the South are cooperating,
that has induced US to appeal to the peo'
pie Of this State to so conduct themselves
that if a collision must come, they will be
guiltless Of It's consequences. Mr.. X
Barnwell Rhett, editor Of the Charleston
Mercury, in a letter to his paper from
New York, dated the Both of July, en-
bodies the precise ideas in reference to
the necessity for great prudence and
caution in the political campaign now
upon us, which this paper has been sedu-
lousy striving to inculcate in tho public
mind. His opportunities of informing
himself upon the points he discusses are
such as to give a great deal Of weight to
his suggestions. Speaking of the pur-
poses Of the Radical leaders, he says
an this connection word of admOni-
ton is greatly needed. 1t is important for
the Southern people to understand. 1t is
essential they should not forget, that their
conduct at this time is of great moment.
The disloyalty and rebellious temper of the
South, is the whole capital of the Radical
party. Upon this they rest their justiica-
ton and their election. Every act of turbu-
lenCe, every ailTay, shooting, collision, or
| riot, no matter how produced, gives aid
and comfort, ammunition and weapons 10
our adversaries. Every wild speech or in
| discreet expression that falls from the lips
of public man and is capable of being con-
| strued into disaflection or thought of future
| change, is held to be revolutionary and trail
torous, and charged to the account of the
whole people in the press and on the stump.
| These matters constitute the entire cam
paign material Of the Radicals. Their aim
and hope is, to divert public attention from
| the baleful effects already caused by their
maladministration and TO be further inilict-
ed upon the country, South and North; TO
kindle again the lickering embers of the
bitter past, TO arouse the distrust Of the
| Northern people and to carry the election
| by subOTdinating the liberties and interests
Of the country 10 sectional feeling against
the South. Therefore, to us the absolute
necessity for self-control, pruuence, calcu-
lation, repression, both in act and in utter
ance. No man should speak who Is not
guarded against excitement and its iolhes,
No man should, if possible, allow himself
20 be carried away into violence. The
canvass should he active, earnest, untIring ;
but il should be conducted with as much
peace, quiet and order, as il practicable
The cause at the North is more important
than TO carry any Southern Stale. And, if
these suggestions be not needed, our people
may find themselves practically co-opera-
ting with their relentless enemies in fasten-
ing upon themselves the degradation and
ruin and anarchy involved in a Radical
success"