Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-08-18

the minority its subjects and slaves in
perpetuity, "the consent Of the gov
erned, as contended for in the Declare.
ton Of Independence, must come in
somewhere before Mr.. Davis and the
millions Of American citizens who sup
ported the Confederacy, can be prop
erly called TRAITORS" great crimi-
rails" If the ex-P President of the Con-
federate States is guilty, all are guilty.
He represents a government principle
believed in by unknown millions, which
will not die and can not be annibilated.
Grant that it is wrong and impractical
bic as a theory In our republican sys-
TEN. With what propriety does I'M
reasoning fana:ieism brand one man a
traitor in d million and let nine hun
bred and ninety-nine thousand, nine
hundred and ninety-nine men equally
guilty 60 without reproach into public
favor, and into all places of honor,
trust and profit?
All admit that Mr.. Davis stands the
type Of an idea. Men Of brains, North
and South, should deal with the offend.
ing thought and scOrn to prescribe a
citizen for the expression of his con-
victions and his obedience to a sense
of duty. Most persons recognize the
fact that Generals Washington and
Lee were governed by a high sense Of
duty, and no one has attempted to show
that Mr.. Davis, either IN the Mexican
war OF the late war, was less an honest
man and 4 patriot. He may have been
all his life on the wrong side Of poll
tics; but if so, millions have FALLEN into
the same errors. A blow aimed at him
falls equally on their heads. The re-
newal Of civil war, like the disfranchise-
ment Of many prOperty-holders in
Tennessee, means a central despotism,
holding at once both civil and military
power to rob and enslave with impuni-
ty the subjects of national rulers.
If the prescription of Mr.. Davis
merely indicated something to be
ashamed of, We should hardly notice
the folly; but the event discloses a bad
disease which should be mildly treated,
and cured if possible. Time alone is
not likely to remove the malady no
more than it stopped the development
- ulIIUC INJURED unOu-
sand lives to propagate sectional ideas
on a soil where they did not go nor
grow except as they were pushed by
the sword. Propagandism by the
sword may be pleasant to the party in
power, but it is a dangerous policy, in
volving heavy public debts, general de. |
noralIzation, and the probable down.
fall Of government. Our government
2an stand anything but the abuse of |
power.
The Constitution formed by Wash
ugton, Hamilton, Madison and Frank. |
in was not impaired by the Convention |
It Montgomery. Southern statesmen
we're not traitors to it, but simply elect !
d the President for six years in place |
f four, and rendered him ineligible for
second term. Northern Statesmen
denounced the old Constitution as a
compact with hell, and so soon as
hey had the political strength they
hanged 1t 50 much that our present
government is 2 new and untried ma
hne, which the leaders Of the Radical
,arty appear incompetent to run in a
7ay to satisfy the masses Of their own
anks. Their incapacity being demon
trated, ike all quacks, they will tinker
he organic law anew, and fight the
attlcs Of civil war over again. What
lsc can progandism do, to revive a
arty that has outlived its usefulness
nd its reputation? 1t claims TO be
he nation, but the nation disowns it;
nd the grand principles of 1876 as
lught by Thomas Jefferson, Will re-
Give such centennial strength next
ear under Democratic auspices, that
he federalism Of Grant, Morton & Co.
i'll 60 out as a false light that leads
, shipwreck. Puritanism has always !
cen unhappy. It was unhappy when
ghtng under Cromwell. Unhappy
hen hanging women as witches, and
Quakers for disloyalty to !
s dogmas. 1t is still unhappy, after
slavery, enfranchising ne '
roes, and sending Sherman to burn
nd destroy Atlanta and Columbia.
From the time Of Cromwell to the ]
resent hour all these appliances have
cen the tools Of ambitious falsehood I
i'd aggressive despotism. 1.-THE sin of :
avery" being removed, it will not do {
T Mr.. Davis to talk to the farmers Of a
rinnebago county, Illinois, on any I
.biect; for that would indicate some
ing Of the spirit of returning peace /
Id toleration-a cold, wet blanket on t
lie fire of sectional hatred and domina- a
IN. This fire is the only capital of a :
rye and intensely selfish party; 1t
ust be cherished as the apple of the
re. To allow rebels like DAVIS the
'ivilege Of talking to the so7eregns. of !
e North, would jeopardize and shake !
e foundations of our free institutions.
rec talking to the people is very dan
srous, especially in Illinois. Let the
ct 90 down In American history that c
, such reckless freedom of speech
as tolerated in the year 1875. Propa-
.ndism by . fire and sword p
ants no public discussion by the g
Of allmatured opinions,
cause such discussion would prove u
to falseh0od, no matter t,
w pretentious and tyranical its par {
,