Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-08-04
f, .sTrr,R OF COL. STEPHENS TO
= ornE.INE WHIGS.

ETvrFR OF COL. STEPHENS TO
- OLDLINE WHIGS.
For some time past efforts have been
made TO create dissension in the ranks of
the opponents of Radicalism by attempts
to revive old political rivalries, iealousies
ana prejudices. Because some of the
Journals opposed to Radicalism, some edi-
ted by old Wings and some by old Demo-
Gratis, have thought proper to call the
party in Tennessee whose principles they
advocate the Democratic party, it
being so called in every other
State, it has been insisted that
theTe was an attempt being made to
reorganize the old Democracy on a strict
Iy ante 6eJlum basis. This charge is re-
peated and urged in the face of the en-
phatic denial of every old Democratic
journal in the State and in face of the
fact that they have since the war support
cd, and are now favoring the claims for
Office of more old line Wings than De-
mocrats. The old Democrats number
quite as many in opposition TO Radi-
calism as the old Wings. Is it
unreasonable to expect that occasionally
one of that old party should offer for
Officer If he should, is that conclusive
evidence that the old Democracy are 10
be reorganized to the exclusion of old
Wings? One who is thoroughly devoted
to the principles of party will not de-
sert it because its name may be objection
able to him. The efforts of those who
are attempting to re- kindle old animosities,
can be beneficial only to Radicalism. We
have suffered too long and too terribly
from. that party to do anything which
may by possibility rebound TO their ad-
vantage. --5...-. ...... --
Col. Stephens, in his eloquent and pa
triotic letter, which we publish to-day,
gives to his old Wing associates, words of
M4ouOlu, hulCu CduuOl ldll W COuhluLC
them that there is but one national party
arrayed in opposition to the encroach-
ments and expressions of RadicalisIn, and
that it is the duty of every patriotic old
Wing to align himself with that party.
There is no man in Tennessee who has a
better right to advise his old Wing asso-
ciates than Col. Stephens. He is man of
the first order of ability Wing of the
olden time, chosen champion of that
old party in its palmiest days, one of
the ablest advocates which it ever
had in Tennessee. He feels that interest
in his old political associates which one
veteran naturally feels in the conduct and
welfare of another. He is familiar with
the course pursued and the position occu-
pied by Fillmore, and Winthrop, and
Brooks, and Campbell, and that long list
of old Wings, who everywhere through
out the North are fighting under the ban
ner of the National Democracy for the
overthrow of Radicalism.
In the language of Col. Stephens:
From Canada to the Gulf, from ocean
to ocean, all who wish to set limits to ar
bitrary power, to preserve the writ of
habeas corpus, and thus protect the per
sonal liberty of the citizen, to secure
economy in the administration of the
Government; all who wish to restore har-
mony and brotherly love to the American
people, all who believe that man may
have fought for his native South without
FORGETTING the rights of a citizen, and
without sinking below the level of Hot
tentot-all these must act with this grand
party, and this party alone. Any man
who does this is my brother, whether
Wing or Democrat, whether Northern or
Southern, whether Confederate or Fed
eral, whether American or foreigner,
whether Israelite or Christian, whether
Roman Catholic or Protestant. They are
all alike citizens of our country. They
all have a common interest in securing
the blessings of a Just, an economical
and a paternal government If they
unite as band of patriots, they may &C
complish this result. If they divide,
their overthrow is inevitable.
We commend this letter to the people
of the State with the hope and belief that
its tone will be such as to commend itself
to the favorable consideration of the
people of Tennessee, and that the wis
dom of its counsels may stay further disin-
tegration and DISCRIMINATION in our