The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-06-21
SOUTHERN PRESS
WASHINGTON CITY.
SATURDAY. JUNE al. 1851.


Boy A curious controversy has been going
ON for some weeks past (Which we would not
interrupt for the world between the Republic on
the one part, and the Union on the other. Pend
ing the passage of the Compromise---and since,
whenever it was advisable TO abuse the section
atty of the Southern opponents of the Compro-
mise measures--both of these prints professed
to place this question above party, on high ma
tiona grounds; and while the Republic sang
peans to those National Democrats, CAss
FooTE, Com, a. CO., the Union lauded as loudly
the nationality" of the Wing Compromises
under the lead of Mr. Clay. Then--and now
occasionally, when " an outsider" like ourselves
is involved--these organs become intensely ma
tonal," and join in the complaint of the partizan-
ship which prompts such narrow views of great
question above all party considerations, for the
passage (which We were indebted to no party
combination, but to an union of the patriotic
men of both parties" Yet, for weeks past, and
in lengthy and labored editorials, have our CO.
temporaries waged internecine war against each
other-each claiming not only that the Compro-
mise is to be regarded MS party measure, but
that the honor and gloy appertaining thereto
and radiating therefrom, rests like halo round
the gloriied head of the party of which it pre-
tends to be the organ Nay further, each insist
inc that the remnant of its own particular party
still held together by the cohesive power of spols
to come, is alone to be relied on to enforce its
provisions.
But the most curious feature of this contro-
yersy is, that the Union, the great bulk of whose
former party was to be found in the South,
points to the Northern Democrats to prove that
the Compromise was Democratic measure,
while the organ of this Northern Administration
exultingly declares the great body of Southern
Wings to be sound on the Compromise, only
absorbing few Democrats like FoorE and
Conn Sinking the Northern although
there the Wing masses are to be found.
We do not design making this brief editorial
notice the prelude to an invitation to triangu-
lar duel on the plan of mdshipman EAsY-for
our two cotemporaries are eciting all the facts,
and making all the admissions, which we require
to confirm the correctness of the position we
have assumed, and the allegations we have made,
i've consequences of the Bills of Spoliation to
the parties who coalesced to push them through
There are many statements and suggestions
contained in the articles of both the organs
many suppressions of important facts and ut
terances of half truths only, to which we may
invite the attention of the writer's, and of our
readers, at an appropriate time but the quar-
rel is such pretty quarrel" as it stands at pre-
sent that we cannot have the heart to disturb it
this week at least.
Let the Union, therefore, fire its big guns
and the Republic " its sounding organ blow
these ordinations and recriminatons are doing
more to develope the motives and the purposes
of the respective partizans, who passed those
national measures" and who now seek each tc
make capital for his own side out of them
than any quantity of argument or assertion
coming from their opponents
No man is bound in law to criminate himself
but if he chooses obstinately TO make confess
sions, it is the highest kind of evidence especial
ly if unfayorable TO his own interests
We give two brief extracts from this con
troversy, TO show how each carries the war into
Africa.
Alas, that brethren should notdwell iu amity
Alas, that national organs should issue sec
tional" appeals-and make srch partizan issues
as those we subjoin, taken at random from the
editorials of the two organists, whilome playing
soft and soothing airs in most harmonious con
cert
We take this from the Republic of yester
day. italics are our own in both extracts y
ain Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, am
fhe aohole Souh, he Wigs are almost IMAM
mously in fapor Of the adjustment measures
and giue them their cordial and hearty support
while portion, and in some of these States NO
inconsiderabe portion, of the Democrats are
tinged with disunionism, and denounce the COM
promise in no moderate terms"
And this from the Union of the same date:
We ask the special organ to point to single
case where political power in the hands of the
Wings during the last twelve months, north Of
Mason d Diron's line, has pledged lis determine
fion 10 uphold The Compromise. We ask it &c
explain the cause of Governor Johnson, of Penn
sylyania, retaining in his pocket bill which il
necessary to the security of the Southern man il
his right of property. We ask it to examine thu
Indications everywhere prevalent that the Wings
instead of organizing with a view to the dis
placement of such men as, Wade, Chase, Seward
and their allies, are openly avowing pocy
which encourage political antslavery We ash
it to explain why 1t is that no assurance can be
obtained from the present New York legisatur,
eondemning The conduct of Mr.. Seward, anc
why the representative of the great Empire
State who have recently elected senator treat
with contempt resolution approving "the recen
measures Of Congress for the adjustment offh
dangerous questions arising om ofthe acquisition
Of territory under The treaty oih Dferico !" anc
declaring "fhaf, in consideration of The rariou.
and discordan interests 10 be effected thereby, 10,
hold hat the Compromise is a. fair one, and otlgh
10 be chrerfulu sustained G,,d e,Jorced b erer, M