The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-19

whom have before alluded, and then was repro
duced an infuriate spirit Of party, which has not
ceaaed to affct the country to this day. IL was
exasperated and rendered more furious by the un-
expected and unwecome appearance of a compet-
itor, in the person OF celebrated military chief Of
the southwest, General Jackson,) whose passion
ate rgies were not likely 10 calm the elements Of
Well, sir, Mr.. Monroe out of the way, there were
still five competitors in the field for the place OF the
highest dignity and honor. two from the South
proper, (Mr. Crawford and Mr. Calhoun one from
the West proper, Mr.. Clay,) one from the South.
west, General Jackson,) and one from the East,
tMr. Adams.) There were four candidates from
rave States against one from the East and North.
They were sil members of the Republican par
ty; nor was there any distinct difference of po-
!iticnl principle or sectional interest in the CON
test between them. The old lines of party di-
vision had become nearly or quite obliierated,
and consequently the leaders OF the Federal party
formidable, though conquered band--arrayed
themselves in the canvass each according to hif
personal liking or preference. !. was almost, II
not wholly, contest OF mere personal preference
among tire people. Ii was soon perceived that the
popular feeling strongly in favor OF the military
chief, and the youngest bat not the least powerful
Of the southern competitors (ihr Calhoun) yielded
mis- pretensions to the first houors, it under
stood at the time, in favor of the hero of New Or
leans. The contest came at last to be narrow ed
down between the cha nlpons Of the East and South
west, (Mr. Adams and General jackson, } and by
the favor of the great Western chief fMr Clay)
and his friends, the star of New England shone III
the ascendant. But there was calm in the pO-
l,cal elements. The contest for final ascendency
became fcrcer and rather more sectional. The
followers of both the retired aspirants from the
South MIR. Crawford and Mr.. Calhoun) took posi-
ton the side of the rising fortunes of the military
chief. and, with the dvantage of the admiration
for the heroion the second trial, General Jackson
borne into power over the PROSTATE fortunes OF
the favorites of the Est and West.
The result of this contest has had a powerful and
lasting influence upon the political history and
condition of the country. An extraordinary de-
gree of personal acrimony was engendered IN a
com petition which turned chiefly upon personal
preference and attachment on the one side, and
personal anupathy and hatred on the other. These
strong passions came to be mutual and reciprocal
as between the leaders and followers of both par
tics and they increased in intensity until at last
the politics OF the country were resol, ed into per
sonal idolatry--a sort OF man worehIp on both
sidcs. A sentiment OF loyalty 10 chiet was sub
stituted for patriotism and regard for the inter-
eats of the country. The highest public interests
were subordinate considerations, and the support
OF favorito political chief became the primary OBJ
jcct in the party conflicts Of the day This state OF
things was most inauspcious to regular and con
stituiional operation of the Government, or to a
wise and stable policy in any branch of public in
terest and economy. Nor wac General Jackson
the man TO cultivate harmony under these circum-
stances. Even before the close of the canvass OF
"'2S." sectional interests were seized upon as
grounds Of future party divisions, and the means
Of acquiring or of securing personal pre-eminence
The overthrow after uneasy reign OF iour years,
of the only man from the North who, in period
of near forty years, lad been raised to the head of
the Government, made deep impression upon the
North. His expulsion from power was the result
mainly of the combination OF the whole South
against him; nor could he, nor could New Eng
land ever erase that fact from their remembrance.
The natural fruits and consequences OF this con-
dton OF the personal and sectional politics of the
country were quickly manifested. The very hrst
proposition of grave nature which was made by
& cnerRl Jackson after he came into power was the
removal of the largo Indian tribes of the South
which had 30 long repressed the growth OF the
States OF that section, 10 the vacant territory be-
yond the Mississippi. The question was not strictly
a sectional one for the same policy was in progress
at the Northwest, yet it was sufficiently 30 10 in
woke, for the second tme the spirit Of fanatcistn
and whatever Of sectional jealousy could he brought
10 bear upon the question.
II honorable Senators will take the trouble TO
anime ths files of old papers slowed away in the
clerks Offices Of the two Houses of Congress- they
will find mass of memorials, petitions, and re-
monstrances OF women, as well as OF men, bcwail-
ing Indian wrongs, and imploring the intcrposition
Of Congress in thcir behalf, quite as voumnous as
those which, at later date, have crowded upon
Congress on the subject of African slavery. Nor
will you find the debates upon that subject marked
with less degree of pathos and true cloqucnce, of
fierce invectye and denunciation of the proposed
aggression upon the natural and equal rights Of
the Indians, than We hear now, from day TO day,
upon the subject Of the wrongs of the African race
in the South. And ! will cay TO thosc e. ntcmen
OF the Senate who have INDUCED in this strain upon
the question now before the Senate that think
they will find in those debates some choice howers
Oi rhetoric yet unCulled, with which, n they are
disposed, they adorn their future illusions.
But the overwhelming popularity of the new Ad-
ministratiun, together with the community of in
terest which existed 20 some extent, at the North,
IN cxpcling the Indians from their ancient possess
siOns, were oyermstch for the rayugs Of fduati-
cism, sectional jealousy, and e interest Of party.
The policy Of Indian removal was permitted tO tr
umph, and the story OF Indian wrongs and Opprcs-
sons has ceased from that day - create sensation
in any quarter.
The country, however, had but a brief respite
from agiations of the most serious character. The
new elements OF faction and discOrd, engenderod
IN the lcrce conflict for supreme power which had
Just terminated, continued to develop their natural
results. The action OF the Government became
violent and irregular The extremes Of passion
and the intensity VI personsl ambition, which had
characterized the preceding canvass had led 60
cess in legislation. The tariff of lS25 was regard
ed a. Injurious and oppressive 20 the SOuth and "a
add 60 the discomfort in that quarter, General
Jackson committed what thought then, aud stiil
think, capital hlunder. lie dismissed from hii
confidence, and drove into opposition the only re-
naming, but powerful southern chief, (hr. CAT
HovN,) and took under his patronage and training
for the succession to himself gentleman from thc
North. but Of very different character and prctcn-
sons. So iar the location Of successor was con-
ccrned, the policy was wise enough; but skil.
fui and experienced statesman would have conciat-
60 hc Two iiNa chics among ms own tOlloWcrs; and
20 have balanced hs favors between them To have
preserved their united influence In adjusting all the
embarrassing questions which were likely 20 arise
under his administration. The result OF the oppo.
site policy was, undoubtedly, precipitatc crisi.
IN public atisirs which threatened Tor a time do.
mcstic couyulsion and the disruption Of the Union
sense OF personal injury TO a iavoHtc chief was
added 90 the sense Of sectional grievance which al
ready existed at the South. Tne energies OF great
intellect were thus concentrated in great section
al movement. lie had around him n band Of de
voted followers, who for talent aud all the element.
OF popular influence and control, have never beer
surpassed in this country. They had the addrcs.
10 stir up afrcsh all the snouldofing crbcrs Of orig
inal opposition 60 the Constitution in the south
The states cl the North were represented and be-
lieved by thousands, to be the exclusive bcn,fct l.
aries Of the systcm. The issuc was essentially 1
sectional one; and then believe for the fret time
IN the mutual examinations Of the North and th,
South, was the offensive and insuspcious question
OF tho relative claims Of free and slave labor 10 In,
fostering care Of the Government introduced int,
our discussions. The contest between the Nortf
and the south, al that period. was further aggfa.
waited, and the Union brought into imminent icop.
ardy by tho revival Of an old theory of the right o
State 20 nulfy the Legislation of the Federal Gov.
ernncnt and, although that extreme remedy re-
ccived tho solemn sanction Of but ono State and
that not of the largest class yet such was the an
probation of the Disasters ID the Union. which n %