The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-01-08
THE TWENTY. FIRST RULE.

IL IL no longer matter OF doubt that the famous
twenty first rule. which the Southern members of
Congress, with the aid Of a portion of the Northern
members, established some years ago, as bulwark
against the encroachments of the Abolitonists of
the South will be repealed. This rule was, at
time it was established, considered, and ever has
been considered by the people Of the North, as
violation Of sacred, inherent right. The South
did not so consider it, and looking upon it as a
barrier against unconstitutional Entertainments,
they have, almost unanimously, adhered to it, and
still adhere to it. We say, almost unanimously,
for there have been and are some south Of the
Potomac who look upon the rule as both uncon-
stitutional and impolitic; unconstitutional, be-
leges secured to them by the constitution, and i'm
polite, because it arrayed thousands with the
Aboltionists, who had no other feeling in common
with them than resistance to the invasion of
what they deemed sacred right Thousands of
people have been induced to sign abolition petit
tons, not because they were Abolitionists, or had
the least desire to disturb the interests Of the
South, but from that feeling natural to man,
which prompts him to do what he would not
otherwise have thought Of doing, when the right
to do it is, in his belief, wantonlr or arbitrarily
nterfered with Mr.. Clingman took the correct
view Of the subject, when he said: By pursue
ing the course we have, we have given the Abo-
litionists too much consequence. We make
them look too strong" Yes--thousands and
tens of thousands are made to appear as their
allies who are most decidedly opposed to their
views and aims. TIE Northern Wings upon the
floor Of Congresshave been looked uponby the peo-
pie Of the South as all Abotionsts, because they
voted to receive abolition petitions; and this idea
has been inculcated and encouraged by those
who knew better, merely for party ends. Here
!ofore party tran,inels have been strong enough
70 compel all the Locofoco members from the
The North. with one or two exceptions, TO oppose
The right of petition, and hence the Locofocus
of the South could with some plausbilny take
he ground with the people Of tina, section--gno.
rant Of the distinction between the right of petit
tion and abolition, the obligation to receive peti-
ions, and that of granting their prayer--that the
|
Northern Locos all anti-Abolitionists But wha,
is the complexion Of things now! Why, SO de-
cdedly are The people of the North in favor Of
the right OF petition being inantaned--so deter
mined, we may say, are they never to surrender
this righi--.hat the Locolocos find themselves
compelled to take ground in favor of it, and to
oppose the 2lst rule.
The course of Mr.. Beardsley, Mr. Hamlin,
and others, indicates most clearly the strength Of
public opinion at the North, and it also indicates
what is there known to be the fact, that Mr.. Van
Burer, or his party, is now counting the favor of
the Abolltionists. The Wings do not court them.
Mr.. Van Buren, knows this, and is therefore en-
dcavoring to take advantage of it. TO do this,
he has his agents in that party-ndeed, many of
its active leaders are Locoocos of the most ultra
stamp, among whom me may mention Mr. Ran
toul, of Boston, Governor Morton, of Massachu
sets, Mr. Bancroft, late collector Of Boston, the
Rev. Mr.. Leavitt, travelling agent, editor of the
Emancipator, prime wire-worker Of the /" Third
Party" and delegate to the late Worlds Con-
venton, London, Mr. Earle, of Philadelphia, Mr..
Morris, of Ohio, late Van Buren, United States
Senator Mr.. Tappan, now of the Limited States
Senate, and hundreds of others in every State
north of the Ohio and Potomac rivers
SENATOR PORTER, OF LoUIsIANA-The New
Orleans Picayune of the 9th ult. says: We
are deeply concerned to learn that the health of
Judge Porter is more critical than we had before
supposed. His brother left town for the resi-
dence OF the Judge yesterday morning, attended
by medical gentleman of eminence in our CITY.
NAvAL.-The L. S. ship of the line Delaware
and frigate Congress were at Mahon on the 26tb
Of November, and other vessels belonging to the
u. S. navy were expected.
On board one Of these vessels in port, were two
colossal statues, one of which represents Christie
pher Columbus, sculplured in white marble by
Persico, who will come to this country with his