Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-08-24

were to go to organizing parties, and enter
ing into disputes as to whether she shoul'
sail by the compass or By the stars
Whether she should make circuit to ayoi(
a hesdland, or go straight forward to saw
time. Tennessee had had long career o
| glory ON The battle field aud In the nation,
al couucils-had furnished three Presi
| dents and host Of other statesmen ans
| orators, bat at last she drifted by the mis-.
fortunes of the times into difficulties. Hel
industry was paralyzed, her people were
oppressed, her name was furnished. And
| although her capacity was still unex-
hausted. her forests still waived on
| her mountains in countless abund.
apce. her minerals in endless profusion
still slept undistnrbed beneath her
surface, Her valleys still stretched
in unreasonable extent, counting the ap
pliances of agriculture. Her cities and
towns still pointed up their spires to
heaven, and her highways were still open
for commerce. Yet all was in vain, and her
people everywhere sighed for better days.
At last, by the skill Of her pilot and the
united and earnest cooperation Of her
people, the banner Of truth and justice
was planted triumphantly on the dome of
her capitol, bearing on its ample folds the
inspiring motto: Redeemed, regenerated
and disenthralled." Who will ever for
get the thrill of joy that pervaded the
bosoms of cur people at the end of that
struggle? The State breathed once
more, long, live breath, inspired by the
free winds that blew from her own nouns
tains and valleys-the breath of life, and
hope and confidence. Under this banner,
thus erected, if we are but true and
faithful to each other and the State, We
can well eXclsim
-"long may it wave,
0'sr, the land of the free and the home of the
braYev
do not mean to be understood as OPP
posing the formation of parties in all
future time. l know they will exist in
all free governments; but know with
heartfelt sorrow that excessive party
spirit, both in the South and the North,
had much to do with precipitating, if it
did not originate, the late lamentable civil
war. l mean to say that the present is
not a propitious moment even to talk
about it, and the attempt is impracticable
for any useful purpose, so far as Tennes>
see is concerned. Besides, as have ais
ready said, let parties be shaped by
events-by the fixed and immutable laws
of human nature. And who can foretell
events, and the questions that are to
arise in this vast republic, with its dr.
verse interests and halfsrestored nationN
atty. Many a spreading cape that adorns
the shores of this continent, and upon
which have arisen stately cities and smi-
ling fields, owes its origin and formation to
gradual drifting Of the sand impelled by
the action of the tides, and against which
the ocean dashes its spray in vain. Many
an island that now lifts its head above
the bosom Ct the sea and
smiles with the presence Of
population, and at whose foot once swan
the whale and shark, now ride safely at
anchor the navies of the world. Created
by natural causes, these monuments re-
main permanent and secure. Man never
made cape, a promontory, or an island.
Nor do believe men can make parties.
They, too, are made by the laws of hu~
mainly, operated upon by physical
causes, by necessity, by events, by variN
GUS combinations. At all events, whether
my illustrations are philosophical or not,
/ am opposed to marring the present state
of things by the schemes or complications
of party, by whatever name it may be
called.
Messrs. Editors, am still disfranchised
and under disabilities. am still in purga-
tory. desire to join the company of those
who have escaped. Let US do nothing that
can add to the risk which still lowers over
us. am for Tennessee and for the Union, in
undivided fortune and glory, and may
come time or other be for some party, but
moi now. PACIFICAToR.
NASHVILLE, Aug. %, 1869.