The southern press., 1852-03-13
Presidential controversy in the House.


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Presidential Controversy In the House.
We intend 10 insert rs soon as We can fad
room, The speeches of Messrs. BREcKENRTDeE, of
Kentucky, and MARSHALL of California, on the
position of the Presidential candidates. The
controversy arose from articles in the Democrat,
&c Repieio of a caustic, slashing and vigorous
character on the principles Of the approaching
canvass The Repie,o demands the adoption OF
the progressive principle in the selection OF men
ana platforms, and valves the Presidential pro-
motion Of the time-honored class of aspirants.
This has been resented by the friends of those
gentlemen as unbecoming the position of lead
ing periodical and organ Of the party and the
rights privileges powers liabilities responsible
tiles and ethics of organship have been brought
under discussion. We are under the impress
sion that the denunciation of the Repieto has
been overdone. AT all events, we are quite
confident that if it had taken an opposite course,
and had insisted on the necessity of age and ex-
perience, the complaints would not have pro-
ceeded from the same quarter. We admit to
the fullest extent, however, the right of mem
bers of Congress to review the Repie,o, and to
applaud or reproach at pleasure. We think,
however, that the editor of the Reriep has an
equal right to his opinions and the expression
of them. Prior to its recent change of proprie-
tors il was a praise-all -Repiep. Every month
it contained portrait and auto biography of
some obscure member Of the party, who was
described as one of the most extraordinary and
promising statesmen of the age. The conse-
quence was, the RepieiD became one of the most
insipid publications of the day. Now it attacks
great men, and forthwith the whole hive of par
~ politicians is in an uproar. Now all this dis
closes the folly to which party orginship has
gone. A party organ editor is regarded very
much as hireling, or an attorney, whose BUSH
ness and duty it is TO praise every thing and ev-
cry body in his own party, and denouuce every
thing and every body in the opposing party. The
allegiance to party is considered paramount TO
what is due to his State, to bis country and to
truth. Now, there are a good many men in the
Democratic party who believe sincerely what
has been said in the Rerislo about progress,
and the old fogies. Why should il not be said :
We are told the Democratic Repiep is a more
dignifed and doctrinal organ than an ordna,s,
newspaper. Yes, but il is moi more so than the
Edinburg or London or Westminster Quarter
ly's And they deal with men and things quite
ss plainly rs the Democratic does. The Rerie1,
we suppose, is the organ Of its contributors and
subscribers We suppose that none Of the can.
didates for the Presidency are its supporters be-
yond a mere subscription. But if Il be an or.
gan Of such dignity and responsibility, how has
IL been supposed by any body that Il could be
directed or controlled by Senator, or candi.
date for the Presidency The R.riep is friendly
TO Judge DoUGLAs very probably, but IL il as
suming good deal too much that IL therefore
is under his direction.
We do not ourselves concur in what the Re
viep says Of General BUrLER. We consider
him a man Of oAndor and honor, Of answering
fidelity 10 Democrats principles As they are IN
derstood In his State and 40 believe that be
possesses quite as much ability a. Mr. Polk
did, who is frequently extolled by the Dence
rAcy, and is, we believe, 10 this very Reriep
The House has been entertained within the
last few days on this subject by the speeches Of
two new members, who are also young men
And we have n'dOm seen that body listen with
greater attention or pleasure. Mr. BREcErE.
RIDGE is an elegant, courteous, fluent and loQi.
cal man. General BUrLER, and sll the Others,
who felt segrieved, were exceedingly happy IN
having such an advocate. And such is the pow
er Of eloquence that n the controversy had ended
with the speech Of Mr. BREcKESRIDoE, the sen.
timent Of The House and the party would have
settled heavily against the Rsuiep and against
that sort Of progress Of which Judge DOUGLAS
IL claimed AZ a representative. But the thing
did not stop there. On Thursday last Mr.. Man.
SHALL, Of California, made speech. Il was NOT
20 elegant in style, nor 80 consecutive in arpu.
ment, nor 80 well regulated in temper AZ Mr.
BRecKEraDeE's, but It was nevertheless one NJ
the most powerful, skilful, witty, intrepid and
captivating discourses we have had the ooos
fortune TO hear. u took possession of the
House. Its illustrations Of the doctrines Of
progress were so happily made that the most
inveterste conservatism began to feel uneasy.
and the Progress'ves actually began to suspect
themselves Of too much moderation, and TO
doubt whether Judge DoUcLAs was a man
Young enough 20 be President Ono NJ fhe
most striking circumstances Of the affair was,
that Mr. BREcEEsRIDcE himself appeared 10 en-
Joy The hits Of his opponent, quite as much as
any Of the young progressives--hs sympatbies
a. man Of genius overcoming his feelings as
an antagonist. Both gentlemen have taken
high rank ss debaters, and may always expect
in future, what is very rare the fixed attention Of
the House. They afford, however, in themselves
some curious and raradoxicsl Illustrations Of
progress and conservatism. Both are Demo
Gratis But Mr. MlRsHtIr. the progress;ve 1.