Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-09-01

4
seems to be the great argument of a
who are suspected CT wanting to join IL
Republican party, and, indeed, no bettt
scheme could be devised for carryir
large bodies of the people who really d.
sire constitutional government over
the party of corruption and despotiSm.
| 1t is this fatal error that wish to con
bat, not in behalf of Mr.. Johnson, but i
behalf of myself and all others who dc
sire TO preserve a constitutional govern
ment.
If anything is settled in governmen
in politics, in religion, it is that such mon
strosities as the practice of the Radios
party presents must be met by firmnes
and decision-yes, by boldness, by
courageous and manly assertion of truth
and by tearing the covering from thes
monstrosities and exposing them to tn
gaze of the world-to the shame ant
modification of whatever there may b.
Of decency among their defenders.
Philosophy as we'll as history teaches
that if the corruptions of the men il
power have reached the point that ex
posure only increases the burdens of The
people, then indeed are the liberties o
the people gone, and as certain as the
King of the Universe rules, if it be true
as insisted by the Avalanche and other
papers, that such exposure will tighten
our chains, then are we an enslaved peos
pie. But maintain that this is not So
If it were true that the attack upon cons
stitutional government which has been
made by the Radical party met with no OPP
position but from the States lately in re-
bellion, then would their impotency justi-
fy complete surrender, and men everys
where would do well to make the best
terms they could with those who had
overthrown the government. But l ut
terly deny that any such state of facts
exist. l assert, without fear Of contra
diction, that an overwhelming majority OF
the people of the United States are still
for constitutional governme nt, and des~
potic power has not reached the point
that it dare, without some further great
CONFUSION, to set aside popular elections
In most Of the States this des-
potic power will not be allowed
to destroy the franchise. This
being the case, the remedy is the ex-
posure of Radical outrages--a bold but
truthful exposure of its enormities.-
These enormities and their exposure
have so weakened this once powerful
party that it cannot now overthrow the
liberties of the people. 1t was these
enormities and their exposure that
elected a Democratic Governor in New
York. And it is these and not the posi-
tive strength of the Democratic party
that will enable Ohio and Pennsylvania
to elect Democratic Governors this fall,
as they most probably will. Hence the
man to send to the Senate from TennesS
sea is the man who can most success
fully expose the corruptions Of the
Radical party. While the friends of Mr..
Etheridge make the argument against
Mr.. johnson that he will injure US by
exposing the corruptions of this party,
it is due to Mr.. Etheridge to say, if he is
elected, the man doesn't live who will
come nearer doing his clean best on that
line than he. If johnson were to beat
him in exposing the corruptions Of that
party, it would only be because he had
more skill which to say the least Of it
may be debatable.
Is Mr.. johnson to be regard,
ed as a calamity in the Senate
because he is hated by the
enemies of constitutional govern
ment2 If so, any other man sent there
who boldly and with ability defended
the constitution, would also be a ca.
Iamity. Why is Mr.. johnson hated
What did he do but defend the constitu'
ton Can either Of the papers attack
ing Mr.. johnson, point out anything
which he has done to cause this hate ex
cept to defend the constitution =? True
he has done this with more power snC
vigor than any other man, and, indeed
his powerful defense of the constitution
read, as his State papers have been, il
all parts of the country-has done mOr'
to open the eyes Of the people thar
almost anything else.
What evil can befall US by Mr.. John
son, or Mr.. Etheridge either, exposing
the corruptions of the party in power il
the Senate None, whatever; but grea
good. We have seen some people who
have not got over Stokes threat, tina
he would, if not elected, destroy the civi
State government. This was a most i'm
pudent piece Of blackguardism, but i
had its effect. Men ought to know tina
situated as Tennessee is, to Withdraw
the civil and establish military COVER.
ment, can and will only be done whel
the form Of our government is total,
changed. To prevent this total change
in our form of government, depends alon
upon exposing the purpose of the mel
making the effort before the change il
made.
Then let the man be sent to the Sen
ate who can do most in making this ex
posture. Etheridge, himself, / have n
doubt, from what know of him, would
| if consulted, agree to this-hs is not tn
man to stand where his friends stand-a
the halfway house and buy peace b.
hiding crime. TENNRssEB,
From the Memphis Avalanche. Aug. %.
In an article last Sunday we allude
to the great unanimity among the mem
| bers from West Tennessee in behalf {
the Hon. Emerson Etheridge for Unite
| States Senator. Much additional iRfOr
nation confirms US in the conviction tina
not only will West Tennessee be IN
for her own distinguished son, but ths
she will be enthusiastically for him. Tn
more his claims are canvassed, the NOR
widespread is his popularity. We kno'
our friends in East and Middle TenneS
see will pardon us for again urging tn
Justice of giving US the next Senate
They cannot deem us unreasonable whe
they consider we have never had thi
honor, but have almost accomplishing
submitted to the enjoyment of it by Il
other divisions of the State. True, Co
Jones was sent to the Senate immediate
ly after his removal here from MIDI
Tennessee; but West Tennessee, consic
ering herself entitled to the Senate
much as she honored Gov. Jones, ca:
according to our recollection, but or
vote in caucus for him. We cannot b
lieve Middle and East Tennessee s
illiberal as to deprive us of at least
slight participation in the distribl
ton of the patronage Of the Legi
lature. We are prompted |
no spirit Of selfishneSs, malice or jes
, ousy, but appeal to our sister divisio
f of the State as an act of justice,
l recognize our claim. As we have her
tofore said, we must believe ex>Pres
, dent johnson is misrepresented VIII
charged with pressing his claims for
Q return to the Senate. 1t is his consta
7 boast that he has "filled every off
: from alderman to the highest within t
s gift Of the people, and it would SCI
: this should satisfy man OF ordinary al
s bition. But especially does it seem
9 | most innnnnrtuna tina for Mr. Johne