Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-11-20
LIBERAL SENTIMENTS.

In speech made IN memphis during the
recent canvass by Maj. w. j. Sykes, in dis
cussing the political questions of the day,
he expressed some opinions which to many
may seem heterodox, but which are worthy
of consideration, and exhibit q catholic
spirit Of liberation. We are too much in
the habit of attributing great events to the
agency of a few men, when their connec-
ton with them was merely accidental. Ac-
cording TO the views expressed by Maj.
Sykes, the war would have occurred had
neither Lincoln norD avis ever lived, or had
they occupied different positions from what
they did. The following are bis remarks
to which we refer:
He said, those who speak of the recent
war IS ''politiciaD's war" do not look be-
meath the surface. Nc human power could
| have prevented it. 1t was not the peculiar
fault of either the North or of the South,
of Lincoln or Of Davis, of johnson or Of
Harris. It would have taken place had
none Of those men ever lived; it was the
inevitable result of pre-existing causes; it
was the conflict of antagonistic doctrines
and of antagonists interests. Mr.. Seward
uttered a great truth when he said the
"conflict was irrepressible," and Mr.. Lin
coin did also, when he said the estates
could not remain together half slave and
half Free"
The South valued the institution of slav-
cry highly and was determined to maintain
it all hazards. The North was equally as
determined to destroy it. The Abolition
party which twenty-five years ago was very
small, was growing stronger yearly. It was
at that time cloud no bigger than a mans
hand; 1860 it had overspread large portion
of the Northern sky. Those autagonistic
principles were bound to result in war soon
er or later. 1t might have been postponed
a few years, but it was bound TO come. II
it had been postponed twenty-five years the
South would have been relatively much
weaker, whilst the North would have been
much stronger; instead of 4, 10000 of slaves
to he emancipated and mustered with the
frauchissd, there would have been $780,
600, and bad IS things now are they
would then have been worse. The flow of
blood would have been greater and the loss
Of property much more. l am aware that
it is generally thought to have been caused
by few men, but / cannot entertain such
an opinion in the light of facts, and history.
Some blame the North and some blame the
South, but it seems to me neither can be
Justly blamed. Both thought they were
right and acted accordingly. The war may
have been fastened by the action Of some
men in both sections, but it was not in the
power of any man or set of men to have
prevented it altogether. Tennessee had
very little to do with bringing on the war.
No man of any prominence in Tennessee
advocated secession on account of Lincoln's
election. In proof Of my oppo-
sition it may be stated that
the Tennessee Legislature in
1861 sent commissioners to the Peace Con-
gress to try aid preserve the Union con-
slstently with the rights of the South.
Tennessee never drew the sword until the
war had been commenced by others. The
only question che had to determine was,
wouid she take sides with her Southern sis
tersor range herselfOn tina side Of the North.
She took her p 2siJioh with the South, By
the advice of her ablest s atesmen, who hsd
been mos ardent friends and supporters
of the Union. 1t is true she lost much of
her properly and many Of her best and
brsvest, but Kentucky, Maryland and Mis-.
souri,, which took the Northern side, also
lost their slave property and many of their
sons. The days of elimination and recrim-
ination shout the war should be at an end,
and we should all endeavOr 10 improve
the future instead Of mourning over the
past.