Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-12-10
The Compromise MISUNDERSTANDING OF the
two Parties

Previous to the assembling of Congress,
it was published to the country that the
Democratic members of the House, in their
caucus to nominate officers, would ADOPT
resolutions declaring the Compromise meas
ures a final settlement of the slavery agita-
ton, and that those who would not stand
upon that platform would be politely request
ed to quit THE party. This report was gen.
orally received with much satisfaction, and
inspired good hopes for the future. The
Democratic party was known to contain
the entire secession element of the South
and large portion Of the abolition element
of the North, yet 1t was believed thai if the
national men of the party would take de-
cided stand both factions might be efiectu-
ally overawed The proceedings of the
caucus, therefore, were looked for with un-
usual interest, and the disappointment and
regret at the course taken by it are proper
tionally great.
The caucus was held in Washington on
Saturday night, the 29th ult. About nine
ty Democratic Representatives were pres
ent including among the number men OF
every diversity of Observation-Disclosures,
Secessionists, Free-Soilers and Abolition
lists. Before proceeding to the nomination
of officers, Major POLK, of Tennessee, broth
er to the late President, offtred the resolu-
ton which had been promised. Much ex-
element, It Is said, was manifested, ard a
spirited discussion ensued. The result,
however, was soon reached, and the reso-
luton was lald on the table, by vote OF
SO to 80. Thus, as the correspondent OF
the Baltimore Sun says, the ground on which
the Southern Union men have fought and
conquered is rejected by the Democratic
House in caucus. Messrs POLK and JONES
of Tennessee, BAYLY Of Virginia, and other
Union Democrats withdrew from the meet
ing, which nevertheless proceeded to make
the nominations for Speaker, Clerk, &c.
Among those who remained were Messrs.
RANToUL, oil Massachusetts, PRESTON KING,
of New York, CLEVELAND, of Connecticut,
and other members Of the Free-soil wing.
The.e gentlemen, says the Southern Press,
continued TO take part in the proceedings to
the last and seemed to be entirely satisfied
with the action Of the caucus.
Look upon that picture, and then upon
this.
We find in the Washington papers
an account of a Wing caucus held on Mon
day morning. Public notice had been CIV
en- and nearly all the Wing Representatives
assembled at the place designated-as many
as were within reach Of the announcement.
The official report Of the proceedings says
between fifty and sixty members were pres
ent, and Mr.. EVANS, of Maryland, stated
in the course of some remarks in the meet
ing, that majority of them were from the
n Oh -slavoholding stotos- Mr. nurIAw nf
North Carolina, presided, and Mr. MOORE
Of Pennsylvania, acted as Secretary. MIR.
, HAVEN, of New York, offered the following
resolution embodying the principles OF the
Presidents Message on the subject:
"Resolved, That we regard the series OF
acts known as the adjustment measures, as
l forming, in their mutual dependence and
connexion, system of compromise the
most conciliating and the best for the entire
country that could be obtained from con.
ficting sectional interests and opinions; and
that therefore they ought to be adhered to
! and carried into faithful execution, as fl
E nal settlement, in principle and substance
8 of the dangerous and exciting subject which
they embrace"
, Mr. STEVENS, of Pennsylvania, and Mr.
FOWLER, of Massachusetts,, objected to the
resolution, and their objections being over
ruled, they, and one or two other Free-soil'
ers withdrew, fro m the meeting. The reso'
luton was then adopted with but one or two
dissenting voices.
He.e then we have the action Of the two
great parties of the country on the subjec
of the Compromise. The Wings have ia
= = ken their position along side of the Presi
dent. They court the support of no faction
!, lists of any quarter of the Union, and al
: who intend or desire further agitation may
90 out with the STEvENsEs and FowLERs
Not SO with the Democracy. For the sake
/ of the spoils of Office, they tolerate differ
] ence of opinion upon vital question, ano
seem to prefer the unity of their party te
the perpetuity and harmony of the Union
This policy may over-reach itself. BAYLY
po1x and other Union men will not &C
with party which occupies an equlvoca
5 position in reference to subject of para
mount importance.
| as- The delegate in Congress from Utah
Territory has addressed letter to the ed
itors of the National Inttelligencerin which
he denies the truth Of certain statements
which have been recently published, injurl
> ous 10 the character of his constituents ant
: of Governor YOUNG in particular. He says
he left Utah nineteen days after the date o
the letter making the charges, and harmo