Nashville Union And American

LETTER FROM GEN. ATKINS.

The Trenton Journal publishes a letter from Gen. J. D. C. Atkins, accepting the nomination for district elector for the 9th district. No district in the State will be more thoroughly and eloquently canvassed than the ninth. If it does not give a handsome democratic majority in November we shall be greatly disappointed:

PARIS, Tenn., April 20th, 1856.

Gentlemen: Your letter was received a few days since, informing me of my nomination by the District Democratic Convention, which assembled at Trenton on the 18th of March, as a candidate upon the Democratic Electoral ticket for the 9th Congressional District, and also requesting my acceptance of the position.

I concur with you in opinion that the ensuing canvass will be a heated and arduous one, and more important in its results to the Union and especially to the constitutional equality of the South than any preceding one. Years ago, in political contests, patriots throughout the nation differed, because all parties were endeavoring to attain the same object, which was, the best method of administering the Government on the plain principles of the Federal Constitution, but now for the first time in the history of Presidential contests is that sacred instrument itself presented as an issue. Disguise it as you may it is no less a question than that of the maintenance of the Constitution and its guarantees. A powerful and dangerous Party in the North is marshalling its black legions for the battle of November next; opposed to that mighty army stands the National Democracy (now the only National party) all panoplied and 'eager for the fray.' Southern know-nothing stand upon the same field of contest and can easily decide the victory in favor of the Democracy by striking for the South and the Constitution in supporting the Democratic ticket, while its hostility at most can only result in a triumph to Black Republicanism—a triumph of sectionalism over Nationality—of fanaticism over conservatism—of treason over patriotism—of Disunion and the death knell of Constitutional liberty throughout the world. Will not the patriotism of the whole Union and especially of the South awake to the importance of this fearful crisis in public affairs—a crisis that threatens destruction of twelve hundred millions of property, and more than all, that threatens a war of Races involving social dishonor and the bloody horrors of insurrection? I am hopeful, for the masses of the people are honest and patriotic.

In early life, I enrolled myself among the ranks of the Democracy and every day's development but binds me the more closely to the great principles of our noble party.—Beneath her patriotic flag, I am ever ready to do battle, no matter how fierce the shock or whom may be the foe.

I am grateful, gentlemen, to the Democracy of this District for the confidence they have reposed in me: it will be my highest ambition to merit their plaudit of approval by an earnest advocacy of the great truths of civil and religious liberty—the rock upon which our faith is founded.

For the kind and complimentary manner in which you have alluded to me, please to accept, Gentlemen, considerations of my earnest regard.

Faithfully yours,

J. D. C. ATKINS.