Nashville Union And American

SMITHVILLE, June 4th, '55.

Editors of the Union and American:—We have had an interesting discussion here to-day between the candidates for Representative in this county, and also between the candidates for the Senate, for the counties of DeKalb and Wilson. M. M. Brien, Esq., led off in debate, in a speech of about two hours length. He claims to be a whig and endorses that fatherless document called the American platform, and endorses the oath, and is willing to take it every morning before getting out of bed. It is evident that he has seen "Sam," and is one of his devoted followers, and therefore, can't come in, and it is to be regretted that his talent is not devoted to the advocacy of a better cause.

Major Overall followed in a speech of some length. He is not a brilliant speaker but deals in facts which are incontrovertible, takes bold ground against the secret conspiracy and is a sound democrat and will be elected by a handsome majority if all signs don't fail.

Col. Adams also declared himself for representative, indorses "Sam" and the whig party and promises, if elected, to reduce the price of corn; a popular position just now.

Messrs. Stokes and Goodner, of DeKalb, and Martin, of Wilson, are measuring arms for a seat in the Senate. They were all whigs during the days of whiggery, but Goodner modestly slides out of the party and gets upon the so called American platform, and is trying to ride old "Sam into office in a very ingenious sort of manner, making fair weather with all parties, but such a course won't win.

Stokes, more ungenerous than his opponent, say the old parties are rotten, dead and stinking, and rest assured he deals heavy blows upon his old party friends who refuse to follow after this strange God.

Col. Martin was an entire stranger amongst us, but his eloquence and oratorical powers will always secure him a patient hearing. He labored for two hours in a speech, replete with argument, the most of which was spent in defence of the old whig party and whig principles, and against this new organization, Martin said he was an old Clay whig had enlisted under the banner of Judge Warner and was a whig from principle and was unwilling to abandon the party and follow after any new Gods; says he belongs to the banner county, and is determined never to violate the pledge, he and others made to the fair donor of that banner that it should never trail in the dust; that if he was left solitary and alone, he would seize it and bear it aloft, and if it fell, he would fall with it. He hold up the doings of the northern know nothings, and contrasted it with the old parties and defied his opponents to show when either of the old parties ever acted so corruptly. Col. Stokes called upon him to know if he would vote for Gentry for Governor, and he said he would support and indorse no man who would not endorse the whig party. His speech had a withering effect upon the new order and anti-know nothing whigs and democrats will flock to his standard and drive Samuel into his hole.

From Gen. C's. scientific dodging I was forced to conclude he had been for years taking lessons under the most skillful teachers of the dodging art, and that he was an apt scholar. Yet, the Col's well aimed artillery and small arms made sad havoc with Cullon's positions in the front, right, and left. You know the Col. learned the art of war on the plains of Mexico with every class of his country's enemies, from the secret midnight Guerilla through every grade up to the brave Mexican, who, on equal terms, courageously met his conquerors on the bloody fields of mortal strife. The democracy are alive here and will rally to a man to the support of Savage on the Kansas and Nebraska bill. He showed as clear as a sunbeam that Cullon's position on this question is diametrically opposed to the South. He also illustrated to the satisfaction of every unprejudiced mind that this new secret political order is in conflict with the constitution of the United States, at war with the sentiments of republicanism, and directly in opposition to God's revealed will. Upon this subject he was especially clear and forcible. The Democracy will have nothing to fear with such a standard bearer as Col. Savage.

Yours, &c.

One who Never saw Sam.