The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-05-08

Mr. RAErouL's CouRsE.-Those who know
Mr.. Rantoul best. are convinced that his present
subservieucy to Free-so doctrines II 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, uncompromisingly opposed TO
all Free-soil agitation. lie was 30 regarded
when he was nominated for Congress- and 1t
was not known that he had changed his position
down to the very moment when he took his seat
in the Senate, and compromised his principles
for nine days office.
To show the utter restitution of real princ-
pie which has marked the political course of DIR.
Rantoul, we adduee a few ncontrovertible facts.
The new-made Free soil favorte, 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 condcmDing
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 to believe it is. 1t
will be recollected, too, that when Mr.. Rantoul
was in Illinois, last winter, eectioneering for the
Central rarcad, an authorized statement APP
peared in one of the papers at the capital Of
that State, emphatically dsavowing in his behalf
all connection with the corrupt coalition in the
Massachns etis legislature. Many of our readers
may be curious to read this disavowal, which,
like the Lynn speech, was doubtless put forth
by Mr.. Rantoul to serve his own selfish pur-
poses, for none knew better than he, that the
suspicion of faint of Free-sosm would un-
favorably prejudice the members Of the Illinois
legislature, aud perhaps injure his prospects Of
securing charter for the Central railroad. j he
following was the authorized statement pub
shed in the Springfield Qll) Register:
"We have seen it charged in Seward papers,
in different quarters of the Union, that Mr.. Ran
tout authorized his name to be used as candi-
date for United States senator, by the coalition
party in the Massachusetts legislature. Mr..
RantouL is no,o in ttis ciry AMI ace haze Il 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 FRon THAT PURSUING AT THIS TIME BY
THE COALITION ORGANIZATION. he has ever
been known in Massachusetts as an ultra De-
mocrat, devoted to the Union, and OPPOSED TO
THE RECENT AGITATIoNs WHICH THREATENED
IT'S EXISTENCE The rumors contrary to these
facts are calculated to njure him in the estima-
rs one of our most distinguished and reliable
patriots"
The Register, the paper in which the above
was published, in q recent article referring to
this disavowal, says "erery ,cord IF IL zoe had
ample authority for utteriry." 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 amb-
ton, and to have deliberately determined to OBJ
tain place even by such means as conld not fail
to render Office uncomfortable, nay, degrading
to him, while it stripped him of the choicest Of
laurels won by an upright lie"
The St Louis Republican, also alludes TO the
statements made in Illinois in behalf of Mr..
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. Rantouls declaration at Springfield
We're, it is likely, the expression of his deliber
ately formed opinions on the questions then in
agitation. AT all events, they were consistent
with opinions expressed in this city, in public
speech at the Rotunda, just before the last
Presidential election. He then denounced Mr..
Van Buren,, who had just written his letter TO
the Utica convention, announcing his willing.
Presidency, in most bitter terms. He inreighed,
in the strongest terms, against The movements Of
The Free-soa party, and ,carmly denounced The sys-
tenn Of ogitation aohich they were introducing into
The country"
We have already shown, in an article pub
lshed several days since, the utter heartlessness
of Mr.. Rantours present opposition to the Flu
gitive slave law His Lynn speech, when sifted
down, amounts TO nothing but the expression of
an opinion that Congress has no right to egs-
late for the surrender of fugitives from labor
This is the new platform of the united Demo-
Gratis and Free-soers, but as the Supreme Court
and not Mr. Rantoul or The Free soil party, is
the exponent of the Constitution, we are at
loss to perceive how this platform is to be made
available for party action. Mr. Rsntoul, if elect
ed to Congress, is committed against the pres
ent or any other lop for the surrender of fugi-
tives. Even if bill is introduced giving jury
trial to the alleged fugitive, he can not consis-
tently 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-soi leaders The
times have changed since they resolved in SOL
emn conclave 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 somewhat 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.. Rantou may be
good enough Free. soiler for the leaders, but
we much mistake the intelligence of The Free
soil voters of the second district, if they do not
more rigidly investigate his claims to their sym
patty and support. There are some Of the party
who will hardly be deceived by the mask which
Nr Rantoul has assumed, and who will act as
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
bull, sixteen enormous serpents, including
l=ano &c lx,u ixi.ta.a az nd Got IL,