The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-09-18
The Wings and the Opposition.

1t has been understood by the country-from
the organization of his Cabinet, rather than from
any specific declaration of his views-that Pres
ident FILLMORE was DESTROYS to acquiesce in
any plan for adjusting cur sectional difficulties
that should meet the appreciation of Congress.
The WING press throughout the country, and
the WHIG party in all sections, with inconsid-
cradle exceptions, are satisfied and gratifed by
the passage of the recent legislative measures
contemplating this result. We know that a
large number of members Of Congress, who felt
constrained by their previous committals to vote
against these measures, hailed their success
with patriotic rejoicing. Even Mr.. BENTON
the most formidable opponent of the Compro-
mise bill, now declares in the Senate, in effect
that he opposed it as whole for the sake of Sc
curing its adoption in parts. The country is
satisfied Discomfort and excitement are rap
idly disappearing, and there is every reason TO
believe that, ifthe agitaors will cease from their
work of mischief, there may be found time aud
opportunity, even at the present session, to pass
upon many subjects of great interest and inn
portance TO the people.
The recent vote in the House against the
report of the Committee of Ways and Means,
adverse to any action upon the Tariff, indi-
Gates an unusual unanimity and harmony among
the WHIGs on a subject Of expressing interest
to the whole country. The issues rendered
upon this and kindred subjects by the Demo
cratic party are Of national bearing and national
importance. They are in nowise local aud
sectional. Georgia and Louisiana are as
deeply concerned in their just settlement as
Massachusetts, or Pennsylvania. Alabama and
Illinois are as deeply concerned in the preva-
lence of VINO doctrines in relation to national
improvements as New York or Michigan. The
firm and active prosecution Of WING policy
on these topics cannot fail to strengthen Vino
administration, and to augment the numbers Of
the WING party. The anti-tarifT and anti
improvement wing Of the Oppositon-ascend-
ant in the party--is in a minority in the nation
The majority Of the American people do not be-
lieve in the idea that the Government need only
look out for itself, and leave the people TO look
out for themselves. They believe that the
Government, in the rightful use and exercise Of
its constitutional powers, can scatter benefits
and blessings as well as collect taxes.
Here. then, is ground upon which the Vino
party can stand, not only with a reasonable
prospect. but with an absolute certainty Of sue
cess. II is in truth the distinguishing feature
between the two great parties which now di-
vide the nation. The Wines are the friends
Of pacific progress, to be attained by the devel-
opmeut Of our internal resources, by the foster
ing and paternal hand Of Government. They
believe that there is an entire harmony Of inte-
rests between the Government and the gov
erned, as well as between all the sections Of
our common country, and that measures which
augment the resources Of a part promote the
prosperity Of the whole. The opposition to the
VINO Administration and VINO policy is now
composed of men who have no faith in these
ideas. but who believe, on the contrary, that
any measure which advances one part of the
country is an injury TO all tho rest; and that the
less the Federal Government does in any way.
except in the acquisition Of territory to quarrel
over. the better it will be for the people.
We cannot but regret, therefore, the eccen-
tricities Of some Of our friends, who are will
ing and seeking TO interpolate Aboitionism in
the VINO creed--and TO commit the VINO
party Of the North TO measures or views which
must destroy their nationality, and prevent
them from acting as an united and harmonious
party. The action Of public men is Of course
uncomfortable by any party organi1stion-but
II is always a fair subject Of friendly though
di,'entisnt commentary, The WHO party is
represented by an Administration eminently
possessing their confidence and that Of the
American people. We rpprehend, therefore,
that IL will be safer and wiser for the VINO
party 70 look 10 the public acts Of that Ad-
ministration for their issues, than 10 adopt
those which are rendered by gentlemen who
may be BIASED, possibly, by the feelings that
are supposed to prevail in special localities. In
the absence Of any articles Of faith proPounded
by National Convention, we must look for
our party tsneis rather TO the policy Of an
Administration, on survey Of the entire
field, than 70 the doctrines Of individual public