April 8, 1861; The Charleston Mercury
Our Nashville Correspondence.
NASHVILLE, March 26, 1861.
That the Submissionists of Tennessee would finally yield a perfect obedience to the coercive doctrines of the Black republican party was foretold weeks ago, by those who were well acquainted with the character and temper of their leader, ANDY JOHNSON. Many of us would not then believe it, but now there can be no doubt of the fact that there is a party in our State who entertain the most hostile feelings, and use bitterest language, towards the South, and many of them openly proclaim the hope that LINCOLN will never recognize the Government of the Confederate States, but proceed in the attempt to collect the revenue, even if it should produce a bloody war. I am glad to believe that this class is small. The unfortunate vote of the State by which the Convention was defeated did much to encourage this temper. But that vote was no real test of the wishes or sense of the people upon the question. The notice was so short that there was no time to lay the facts before the public, and there are thousands now who voted ‘No Convention’ because they then believed that the troubles would all be adjusted upon a basis so fair and honorable to the South that the seceded States would return to the Union. Such was the impression very generally prevailing, and very many of the true friends of the South were misled by this opinion, who, today, are openly proclaiming their determination to do all in their power to place our State where she rightfully belongs. It is nevertheless true, however, that there is a large Union party here who are for staying with the North without conditions. They regard the election of LINCOLN as a triumph to themselves, and are now clamoring at him for not appointing a Postmaster here who represents their peculiar views. The appointee, Mr. McNISH, is a very worthy young gentleman, but these ‘Spread Eagles’ scream and yell it around town that, at the election, he voted for the Convention and for the Southern Rights candidates. I do not know how it was, but as he was appointed by the influence of Senator JOHNSON, the presumption is very safe that he agreed with the politics of that demagogue.
There is a very well founded rumor on the street, that JOHNSON and BELL will come in conflict this summer. It is said that BELL is denouncing JOHNSON’S coercive policy, but whether he will have the nerve to throttle the traitor before the people is doubted by correspondent.
Both political parties are preparing actively for the canvass, as our elections for Governor, Congressmen, and the Legislature, take place in August. The Union savers are likely to have a deal of trouble. They have so many great men in their ranks, that it will be a sore task to select one for Governor, and keep the others in the harness. It is predicted that, in a few days after their nomination is made, newborn zeal for the Southern cause will spring up in many quarters where the events of the past three months give but little reason for such expectations. These various gentlemen are all claimed to have saved the Union. So far as I can judge, W. H. POLK, brother of our late President, has the wind with the people, but the only bullhided Federalism which controls that party will show him a different thing from that. To add to their complications, the redoubtable BROWNLOW is out upon his own hook as a Union candidate for Governor. He has published a long circular, setting forth his views, in which he says he is very anxious for the office for the reason that he needs the money. It will take very nice work to set BROWNLOW aside, which the Regency here will surely attempt, for with all his rudeness he is a better man than many whose political fortunes he has worked hard to build up, and he is very strong in East Tennessee, where the Spread Eagles mostly abound.
Be their man who he may, we are confident and hopeful of defeating him by a large majority. Our State is bound by every tie of blood and business to the South, and when our people realize the fact that there is a firmly established Government there, they will as surely vote to join it as the day of trial comes. The Southern Rights men, though deeply mortified by the failure of the Convention, are strong in the faith that our State will come out right.
The State Convention is called for the 11th of May, and there is already considerable talk about the probable candidate for Governor. We have many able and true men who are well suited for this arduous and honorable position. Among those whose names we have heard mentioned with high favor, are the Hon. G. A. HENRY, W. H. STEPHENS, Esq., JOSEPH G. PICKETT, Esq., and the Hon. W. C. WHETHMORE. Mr. WHETHMORE is the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and one of the ablest men in the State. He was on the BRECKINRIDGE ticket last year. His friends are very numerous and influential. Col. PICKETT is one of the finest orators this State ever produced. He is a gentleman of strong original intellect, and greatly distinguished himself in the Legislature this winter by a series of splendid speeches in favor of a United South. He supported Mr. BELL last year. Mr. STEPHENS was also a friend of Mr. BELL, but is now out and open for the Southern Republic. He is a man of great ability, and would make a fine canvass. Col. HENRY has been known as the ‘Eagle Orator’ of Tennessee for twenty years. He is one of the old Whig guard. He devoted his whole time to Mr. BELL last year, and made speeches in many of the Northern States. His name is a household word in our State, and if he is nominated and consents to make the race, he will prove a dangerous competitor. But we have no lack of material, and whoever is the candidate we will see that the issue of the North or South is fairly and fully presented to the people.
RUTHERFORD.