The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-05-10

Frss, he Botpn jetrna.l
Mn. RANToUL's CouRsEs--Those VINO knoS
Mr.. Rantoul best, are convinced that his present
subserviency to Free-soil doctrines is hollow,
hearted and that the mask has been put on the
better to forward his own ambitious purposes
He has always been considered Baltimore plat
form Democrat uncompromisingy opposed Il
all Free-soil agitation. He was so regarded
when he was nominated for Congress, and i
was not known that he had changed his position
down to the very moment when he took his seal
in the Senate, and compromised his principles
for nipe days office.
To show the utter restitution of real princi-
pie which has marked the political course OF Mr.
Rantoul, we adduce few incontrovertible facts
The new-made Free soil favorite, who, in the
Judgment of Free sellers OF the most ultra
stamp, like Mr. Sewall, Is now baptized and re-
generated, and fitted for the highest places In
the gift of the Abolition party, was member
Of the Unitarian convention at Springfield, when
Mr.. Pierpont moved the resolution condemnlng
the Fugitive slave law, and was very active in
his efforts to stave off action upon the subject
He did not then regard the law as such an enor-
nifty as he now processes 10 believe IT IS. u
will be recollected, too, that when Dir. Rantoul
was in Illinois, last winter, eectoneerng for the
Central railroad, an authorized statement ap-
peared In one of the papers at the capital OF
TINT State, emphatically dsavowing in his behalf
all connection with the corrupt coalition in the
Massachus etts legislature. Many Of our readers
NAV be curious to read this disayowa, which,
like the Lynn speech, was doubtless put forth
by Mr. Rantoul to serve his own selfish pnr-
poses, for none knew better than he, that the
suspicion Of faint Of Free-soism would nn-
fayoraby prejudice the members OF the Illinois
legislature, and perhaps injure his prospects of
securing charter for the Central railroad. The
following was the authorized statement pub
li.hed in the Springfield QlL) Register:
"We have seen il charged in Seward papers,
in different quarters of the Union, that Mr. Ran
tout authorized his name to be used az candi-
date for United States senator, by the coalition
party in the Massachusetts Legislature. Mr.
Rantoul is no,o in This city and 1e hars from
good authority that he refused any such use Of his
name He left Massachusetts two or three
weeks ago, and, before leaving, distinctly de-
clined the candidacy, and ADVISED DIFFERENT
COURSE FRO THAT PURSUING AT THIS TINE BY
THE COALITION ORGANIZATIONS, lie has ever
been known in Massachusetts as an ultra De-
mocrat, devoted to the Union, and OPPOSED TO
THE RECENT AGITATIoNs WHICH THREATENED
ITS EXISTENCE. The rumors contrary to these
facts are calculated to injure him in the estima-
ton Of many VINO have hitherto regarded him
as one of our most distinguished and reliable
patriots"
The Register, the paper in which the above
was published, in Il recent article referring to
this disavownl, says "erery cord Of ii zee had
ample authority for ulering." The same paper
adds:
"The man who has heretofore appeared to
prefer integrity and principles to Office, seems
at last TO be overcome by the longings of aml1i-
tion, and to have deliberately determined to OBJ
tain place even by such means as cond not fail
to render Office uncomfortable, ray, degrading
to him, while it stripped him of the choicest of
laurels won by an upright Ii e."
The st. Louis Republican, also aludes to the
statements made in Illinois in behalf of MIR.
Rantoul, brings to light another fact connected
with the past position of our political trimmer,
which we commend to the notice of his new
found friends:
Mr. Rantours declaration at Springfield
were. il i, likely, the expression of his deiiber-
ately formed opinions on the questions then in
agitation. At all events, they were consistent
with opinions expressed in tits city, in public
speech at the Rotunda, just before the last
Presidential election. He then denounced Mr..
, ' III DuEclI, WIZ just teltcT 10
the Utica convention, announcing his willing.
ness to accept Freesoil nomination for the
Presidency, in most bitter terms. He inreighed,
in the strongest TERMS, against the movements Of
me Free-soH party, and rarmiy denounced ne sys.
tenn IF agitation which they rere Introducing iato
The county"
We have already shown, in an article pub.
lished several days since, the utter heartessness
Of Mr.. RantouTs present opposition TO the Fu-
gitive slave law. His Lynn speech, when sifted
down, amounts to nothing but the expression of
an opinion that Congress has no right to legs-
late for the surrender of fugtives from labor.
This is the new platform of the united Demo-
Gratis and Free-soiers, but as the Supreme Court
and not Mr.. Rantoul or the Free soil party, Is
the exponent Of the Constitution, we are at a
loss to perceive how this platform is to be made
available for party action. Mr.. Rnntoul, IL elect.
ed to Congress, is committed against the pres.
ent or am other lou for the surrender of fugi.
tiyes Even If bill is introduced giving jury
trial TO the alleged fugitive, he can not consis.
tcnty support it, A curious position this, and
one in which Mr. Rantoul is likely to be alone
in his glory"
We are not surprised that Mr. Rantoul has
found favor with the Free-soil leaders. The
times have changed since they resolved in SOL
emn conclnye TO support no man for Office who
would not fully subscribe to the principles Of
the Buffalo platform. The wear and tear of
political life has sonewhat scared their tender
consciences, and familiarity with intrigue and
corruption has rendered them less scrupulous in
the means which they adopt for the accomplish
ment Of their purposes. Mr. Rantoul may be
good enough Free soilcr for the leaders. but
we much mistake the intelligence Of the Free.
soil voters Of the second district, il they do not
more rgidly investigate his claims to their sym
pathy and support There are some Of the party
who viii hardly be deceived by the mask which
Nr. Rantoul has assumed, and " no will act NJ
their consciences dictate, and not as their would
be leaders desire
SHIP LOAD OF ELErHANTs.-The bark Re-
gatta arrived here yesterday from India, freighted
with nine living elephants, zebu, or Burmese
hul III incl nd N