Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1850-03-13
O~r Publfe men:

The present political aspect at Washtne'o"
the spirit Of low, personal ambisi0n' contu-
macy and contention, which has besh idsteas'
Ing fora long series Of years-must bring more
clearly and forcibly to every well organized and
properly thinking mind, that our public men
are not of that description Of character or prEin-
ciple which distinguished the earlier statesmen
of this Republic. The truth is, demagogpes have
uaurped the seats of patriots-the day Of har-
mony and love, and united action for the glory
and aggrandizement Of our common country,
has passed-and the halls Of Congress, instead
of displaying that purity of sentiment SO ne=
cessary to our political welfare, are now rent
by faction, by sectional pride, feelings and jea-
~lonsies, by the ranting Of selfish aud desperate
men, struggling for notoriety, popularity and
fame, even should the pillars If this Union fall!
Such is the cllSoHAad in our political horizon,
which has been mainly caused by distinguish
ed but pnpr;ncipled politicians of various castles,
who seeing their days fast waning away with
ont a CHANGE Of being elevated to the highest
office in the world, dare boldly to stir up dis
cord, and spread thougl,our land the irebragd
Of Discomfort and Disunion. If we designate
a prominent instance of this spirit, without al
luding to the lesser lights that live within his
orbit, we should point to John C. Calhoun, who,
according to late telegraphic dispatches, has
taken a stand, which Of all Others, aims a dead
lier blow at the peace and prosperity Of our
country. But barely resgained a portion of the
good fame which he last in the TRADE Of South
Carolina Notification, he has now given great
er latitude to his sectional ambition and fanati-
cism he no longer confines his agitating and
reckless spirit. within the boundaries of the BAL
metto region; but favored by the spirit Of evil
which rankles in less mighty but equally aspir-
ing and unprincipled minds, he has grown bold
through a combination Of pernicious events;
his lion voice is no longer heard in stirring up
the bad and bitter feelings of his native State;
but diverging from the field of his former. re-
nown, he assumes to be the champion Of the
whole South; Of fourteen other States! He
listens to no compromise. of the vexed ques-
ton that now agitates Congress, that the South
cannot be righted unless through an amend
mcnt Of the Constitution, and unless thisc can
be effected, he wishes a peaceful dissolution Of
this Union!. Well may the friends of civil and
religious liberty, of peace and prosperity, trem-
bic for the future, when such sentiments are
expressed with immunity in our national coun-
ellis. If we may be permitted to lift the dark
veil that shrouds futurity from the present, we
think that il would show a name desecrated'
and the unadorned and lowly: teemMhb, Of one who'
filled with
4 aFsulsipg ambition that o'erlsaped itself"
dared to express such reasonable and destruc-
tive sentiments. In our opinion, John G. Cal.
!. houn, through this late manifesto. has capped
the climax of his political existence. Ever
striying to be alone and apart from the senti:
mepts and opinions Of aur distinguished states.
men, wrapped up in his own inordinate vanity
sel6shness and delusion, as the great mind that
knows no parallel, he has at last sesled his des'
tiny and stamped his character, BY the promul
cation Of principles more perniciogs, and as
sumption more .audacious, than all that have
heretofore characterized his restless and cpn'
tumacious political existence,
But our remarks were intended to BE- direct
: ed more particularly to public men iip general
than to any one in particular. The people are
fast losing sight Of their true and dearest in
~terests. Ills mainly their own fault that cqq'
gress is in such q distracted state at present
The system Of caucuses and conventions to
nominate c~andidates is = pernicicns one--but
while one party adopts il the opposite ono must
do 90 in self defence. Through the workings
Of this system, any low aspirant and unprinci
Piled d~emagogue, through tact and adroit wire
pulling, however unpopular with the masses
NAV pet into power, and doubtless there arr
! great many Of this description il Congress
who getting there through intrigue and cor
ruption, having nothing in view but persona
notoriety and noise, regardless Of their oath
Of their duty, and Of the peace and happiness
Of our prosperous country, would strike at tn
very foundation Of our glorious Union e
achieve their selfsh and ignoble ends.
! II is time that the People and the Pres
should speak. All evils are crushed through
THAR conjunctiye action. Let meetings BE- he'll
III every section Of the Union, and sentence b
passed hy The sovereign power upon every Ser
J ator 81 Representative IN Congress. who
4 prominent in his violence. paasioA and frenzy
Lei one ortwo Of such spirits be pequested :
come home, and this hubbub would die avn