Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-08-27
Able and Convincing Letter from
Judge RObt. l.. Caruthers.
But One Great National Party
Now in Existence.
He Does Not Hesitate to Array
Himself Under the Name
of Democracy.
He Loves it Because it is Right and
is Putting Forth all its Strength to
Save the Country,


OF the participants In the long and ardu
GUS conflicts between the Wings AM
Democrats, into which parties the PEG
pie were divided in the former and better
days of the Republic, you ask my views
as to the duties of the hour. After somt
hesitation, l have concluded it is my duty
to comply with your request.
On the issues between those two grea
national parties my judgment and my
feelings lead me to do battle on the side
OF the Wings. My opinions have nevel
changed on that subject. Our contest.
were upon principle and great measures
OF policy. 1t is noble strife, controlled
BY patriotism and attended with varied
success. All were for the Constitution.
All aimed at the greatest general good.
None were insisting upon radical changes
In the system of government marked Out
by the fathers and venerated by their sons.
Both parties claimed to worship at the
shrine of the Constitution, and magnifed
the wisdom of its trainers in the happy
distribution of powers between the State
and National Governments, with the
strong safeguards provided against the
invasion of either by the other, and the
encroachment of one department of the
Government upon another. Both con-
tended for equality of rights and a strict
adherence to all the established landmarks.
There was no material difference between
them in regard to the rights of the States
and their opposition to consolidated gov
eminent and concentration of power. The
only contest on the great subject was, who
stood up most firmly in the support of
these fundamental doctrines.
The difference between these two par
ties was to be found in the policy and
measures which they respectively pro-
posed for the promotion of the common
good and general welfare. Their plat
forms, after some generalities common to
both, with debatable variations, set forth
their adverse positions on these questions
of policy. Currency questions were
made prominent always; so was the tar
III, the disposition of the surplus reve-
nues, the one term principle, ETC., etc.
These parties first assumed their dis
tinctiVe names and compact organization
in 1856. 1t was a war of quarter of
a century in duration between them,
with alternate success and defeat. At
length the infusion of sectionalism on the
slavery question into the Northern wing
| of each party so weakened them that a
new party grew up gradually of the
North against the South, called the Abo-
lition, the Black Republican, and finally
the Republican party. From contempt
ible insignifcance, aided by the abstrac-
tons from the divisions in the old par
ties after their immortal leaders had gone
down to honorable graves, this one-idea
and sectional party boldly put
forth giant strength, struck down the
shattered forces of the other parties, and
by the hands of Mr.. Lincoln seized the
reins of government, monopolized all the
offices, domestic and foreign, for their
section and their party. There was still a
noble band of patriots in the North who
fought on for equal rights and fair dis
tribution of offices and honors over the
whole Union, as had ever been the case
before, no matter which party was in the
ascendancy. The whole South found
itself without any share in the govern
ment but to pay taxes and obey orders
This state of things, with the reasonable
apprehension of greater evils in the future,
eliminated IN the most gigantic civil war
known to history. My own opinion was
that it was unwise to resort to arms, and
by force to sever the Union for the Sc
curity of our endangered rights, as l
thought, and do not yet doubt, that by
close alliance of the entire South, without
regard to former divisions, with our
friends in the North, the government
could have been soon nationalized and re-
stored to the ancient principles by the
overthrow OF the triumphant party and
the restoration of the Constitution.
But the fatal course was taken, the
storm came on, compromise and concilia-
ton failed, and nothing was left but to
choose sides and take the consequences.
was among the number who felt it their
duty to stand to their section and share
its fate, whether for good or for evil. The
cause was lost, and dire have been the
consequences. Unnumbered woes have
been poured out upon the unfortunate
South. 1t was reduced to poverty and
bereft of all the rights of freemen. In
toXicated with success, and in1amed by
the lust of gain and thirst for Office, the
dominant party have defied the constitu-
ton, mutilated its provisions and safe
guards by amendments imposed upon the
people by force and fraud, set at defiance
the rights of the States and the power of
the people, placed the military above the
civil authority, abrogated the writ of hs-
beas corpus whenever it came in the way
of their unholy schemes, enlarged sala-
ries in every department, increased the
number of public officers and agents
without advantage to the public service,
but to make places for themselves, treated
with contempt the right of the people to
select by free choice their own represen-
tatives, rejected the choice of majorities,
and put into high places of trust such
plant and INSCRIPTIONS tools as suited
their wicked purposes, and made bribery
and corruption the order of the day from
the highest to the lowest position.
Against this wicked, selfish and de-
structive party, a noble band of patriots
throughout the North has been fighting
earnestly and constantly, ever since the
reign of terror commenced. Every inch
of ground has been contested, and defeat
has produced no sign of submission in the
valiant defenders of equal rights and con-
stitutional liberty. They have not been
intimidated by power, awed by superior
numbers, nor discouraged by repeated de-
feats. Feeling that they are battling for
all that is dear to themselves and their
posterity, they quail not at disaster; but,
after each hard fought and unsuccessful
battle, they have turned again and again
upon the foe with redoubled fierceness
and increased numbers. The chart of
liberty and the sword Of Justice are in
their hands. Already they have carried
several of the strOngholds of the enemy
and are pressing on upon others, and all
along the line we see preparations on both
sides for a general and decisive struggle.
Our noble State has her part to act in this
great contest for liberty and con-
stitutional government. She has never
been found wanting in times of difficulty,
and will not be now. She is mar
shaling her forces for the field, and is
considering as to the selection of her
leaders. The question arises, under what
banner shall our forces be arrayed. All
agree that we must stand as one man
against the cohorts of Radicalism, and
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