The republic., 1851-08-12
A FRIEND OF the Compromise

Friend of the Compromise
Since the memorable epistle of JOHN to the
brethren at Tammany, the Union has sailed
implicitly by the invaluable chart then deliver
ed to the faithful The universal measure
Of remedy for every political evil which the
abuse of distracted country consists in "as
strong denunciatlons Of the General Admins
tration as the most vehement member of any
convention could desire"
Is South Carolina on the verge of abandon
Ing the hallowed ark of our freedom ?--the
remedy of the Union is to denounce the Ad
minislration.
Is meeting held of conservatives who only
postpone secession until co operation can be OBJ
lained 2-the encouragement offered by the
Union is to denounee the Adminstra tion.
Are party ties severed at the South, and
Wing and Democrat driven to unite for the
salvation of their country?-the aid and comfort
afforded them by the Union is to denounse the
Administration.
Is an effort made by the Democratic party
at the North TO adopt national platform, for
the purpose of harmonlzing the party?-the re-
sponse of the Union is the same monotonous
note of condemnation.
Do the Wings of the Northern States agree
to do what many opponents of the Compromise
at the South have been honored for having
done-to ''acquiesce" in the laws Of the coun
try, and pledge themselves to sustain and obey
them?-the Union seems rather angry at the
prospect nf PAarh- 1t stands, like ELpoF,
'-@ With tearsin bis eyes,
Because that the Catholics would not rise,
In spite of his tears and his prophesies;''
and repeats its denuncation of ineompetency
fraud, and corrupton-with all the variation
allowed by the simple laws of arithmetica
combinations.
Its favorite theory has been that the North
ern Wings are responsible for the Southern
troubles; and yet it denounces, as most abom-
Unable coalition" their attempt TO compro-
mise, quit quarrelling, and drop the subject.
Every harangue of our compeer terminates
with the declaration that the Administration
must be overthrown.
Yet the Union seems to attach no such serious
consequence to the combination between the De
m0cracy and Frees soilers in Massachusetts, Ii
says nothing of the unholy coalition at Tam
many and passes in silence the proposed conven-
iion in Syracuse, called to secure "nationa"
harmony by the VAN buren, platform, Of first
carrying the State of New. York by suppress
sion of opinion, and carrying the Union in the
great Federal contest of 1852 by the power Of
New York.
We have hailed the prospect of quiet in the
North with satisfaction. We have seen no
thing in the programme of adjustment in
consistent with the position of the friends of
the Compromise. The basis of agreement is
oblivion and acquiescence. We do not know
how any measure Of compromise could be
carried in free country if the parties should
be required to preface their agreement by an
acknowledgment Of error and recantation OF
past opinion.
Let us take an instance Several of the Dem
ocratic delegation from Virginia voted against
and strenuously opposed the several measures Of
the Compromise. Suppose they have consent
ed to "acguiesce" in that measure provided it
shall be enforced in all its terms-would any
one expect that they should be required to go
farther, and renounce their former opinions, de
iiberately avowed and recorded? They are
still much opposed TO those measures, but may
prefer the advantages Of the Union to the ex-
treme consequences of their own opinions. Now,
according to the logic OF the Union, any al
tempt to harmonize the divisions between these
Virginia representatives who opposed the mea-
sures OF the Compromise, and those Of their con
stituents who approved the Compromise, must
be preceded by an unequIvocal admission of error
on the part of the representatives, or it would
constitute coalition" of the most dangerous
character. Yet such is the inconsistency Of
complaining of the attempt to restore harmony
in the Wing party, whilst there is no word OF
condemnation for precisely similar movement
in the Democratic party at the same time and
place Such course must have the effect Of slim
ulatng still further the unhappy strife at the
South. Why does not the Union tell the South
how the Whigsand Democrats of the North, find
ing that the discussion of their political difficult
ties produced mischefs of the serious charac-
ter. have determined upon making patriotic efforts
TO restore quiet 10 the country, by recognising
the right Of private judgment, and abstalning in
future from the insane conflict which has dis
tracted the country? Why not commend the
attempt to revive the comparatively harmless di-
visions Of Wing and Democrat, instead of the
complicated and perncious divisions Of Free
soilers, Barnburners, or Silver Greys! Instead