The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1871-09-01
Judge Nicholson on the Political Stu
alton.

WE publish below letter rom
the Hon. A. o. P. NICHOLSON, to a
friend in Western Virginia, on the
present political situation and future
policy of the Democratic party, which
is attracting good deal ofinterest
throughout the country. 1t was called
forth by series Of resolutions recently
adopted by Democratic meeting at
Parkersburg, West Virginia, endorsing
substantially the vALL1NDIGHAM
platform, about which there; has been
great deal of senseleSs and unneces-
sary discussion, and recommending
Hon. SALMON 2. CHASE; Sc tie Dem
ocratic candidate for the next Presi-
dency. This letter, though not iate2d-
ed for publication, expresses the opin-
ion of Judge NICHOLSON and in view
of his past history in correction with
the politics of the country, his sound
judgment, and great purity Of charae-
ter, it will naturally excite more than
ordinary interest.
AS to the correctness of the estimate
which he places upon the policy OF ac-
quiesence in the much complained of
amendments to the Federal Constitu-
ton, there viii of course be differences
ofopinion, both North and South; there
is no one, however, that knows Judge
NICHOLSON personally, who viii ques-
ton for moment the sincerity with
which these views are entertained, or
the patriotic purpose with which they
are expressed. 80
For ourselves we can only say that
we have not been able to see in what
consisted the much talked Of New
Departure )" on TIE contrary we have
never understood any respectable por-
ton Of the people of the South, or Of
the Democratic party North, as favor
ing resistance to the ACCOMPLISHED
facts Of tie war, however gross and
outrageous they may have regarded
the means by which they became a
part of the history Of the country;
and We believe that both the "new de-
parturistsu and the Southern imprac-
ticalists" have done injustice TO the
truth of history in the confusion which
their senseless discussions have pro-
duced upon this question. The people
of the South have not proposed to ex-
hume the dead past; nor have they
proposed to stultify themselves by any
formal sanction of the means by which
certain results have been accomplish
ed and it was no "new departure to
advocate the public avowal of a poll.
CT in harmony with this position;
and, therefore, we concur with Judge
NICHOLSON in the belief that success
upon the line of policy indicated is the
only means by which 1--WE can hope to
prevent our Government from be-
coming q confirmed central despot-
ISM"
Whilst Chief Justice CHASE, in the
light of his past history, may be less
acceptable to many persons of the
South than to Judge NICHOLSON, we
are satisfied he is correct in say
ing that "the great body Of the South
ern people would cordially support
Chief Justice CHASE, or any honest
statesman, standing on this PLATFORM"
in view of the altered condition of the
country, and our present recognized
relations to it.
We observe that some Of the North
ern press have thought proper to men,
ton Judge NICHGLsoN's name in con-
nection with the Vice Presidency.
Whilst his eminent ability, long ex-
perience and conservative character,
will qualify him for such a position, and
render him as formidable as any man
W 10 could he thought of in that con-
cotton at the South, we have assn
rance that he does not cOvet any fu-
ture political preferment, or believe
that the interest of the country will
lie snbserved by any such Use OF his
name. Judge NICHOLSON cannot
cease to feel lively and patriotic in.
terest in the future of our republican
institutions, and as free citizen does
not hesitate to express any views he
may entertain; butwe feel warranted
in the belief that beyond that, lie does
otiptend to enter the political arena.