The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-06-17


that their mplicated schemes, that suppression
of free debate, which they thought essential to
the safety Of the Union, have failed nevertheless
admit that the Union is no longer in danger,
and therefore, think that We may, at least,
congratulate ourselves on the discovery that
not only extra constitutional compromises
unnecessary but that the Union has strength
aud stability enough to endure, Notwithstanding
that such compromises, under the Influence OF
an unwise legislative distrust, are sometimes
unnecessarily and unavaiIingiy made.
| am, sir, with great respect, your humble
servant, WILLIAM II. SEWAhD
Now. sir, If had time would refer to some
more striking proofs Of bis objects and purposes.
His speech at Cleveland during the last Presi-
DENTAL canvass, when he was seeking to make
the constituents of the honorable member over
the way Mr. GDDIKGs believe that they ought
10 sustain the Wing ticket, is one, if you want
20 understand the ends he aims at
But if YOU want further light upon the sub
ject, look to the fac. that when slave was
rescued by mob at Syracu e, and when
motley crowd of men, women, and children,
white and black, were arrested for resist the
legal authorities, he went into court and voun-
teered TO become their bail He invited them to
his house, and treated them to its elegant hos
pialtiest What does all this mean = Is il
not TO encourage rebellion, insurreciion, and
resistance to law Is il not to deny that the
Constitution can impose any obligation to exc
cute the fugitive elave law Is il not to deny
the constitutional validity of that law! Is it
not hypocrtical claim that there is higher
law which ibsoves him from that oath OF allie.
giance which he has taken to his country and
which binds him To mountain the Constitution
of His country? Yet this is the doctrine he
teaches, and this man, with that powerful politi
cal organization which he controls, is to be our
leaders, he! Under his auspices Gen. Scott
became candidate for the Presidency; and if
General Scott Is nominated at Baltimore, he
will owe his nomination to VILLAIN III. Sew
ARD; and therefore, General SCOTS nomination
cannot, under any circumstances, nationallze The
Wing party. AS soon rs the compromise meas
ures passed, all the papers under hlr. Stewards
control raised up the name If General Scott at
the mast head their candi late for the Presi-
depcy. Conventions were called at the earliest
possible time in New York, Pennsylvania, and
Ohio. which formally nominated him for the
Presidency But no resolutions passed those
conventions recognizing the series OF measures
TO which have referred compromise, to be
adhered to and executed by the North and the
South
But General Scott is said to be really in favor
of these measures. All the worse for him if
that be true When Webster's voice was heard
reverberating through the land in tones such as
no man ever uttered, imploring and urging and
convincing the people that there were oblga-
tons imposed upon them by the Constitution
which required them to stand by these compro-
mise measures, and TO execute the fugitive slave
law ; and when Fillmore with all his influence
az President of the United States, was endeav
orrg to persuade the people of the North to
NJ A. npti oil
basis, Seward seized upon General Scott, and
welding him as a warrior Yields his battle'axe,
he Glove into the dust Fillmore and Webster,
and all the patriotic men of the North who stood
with them upon this patriotic ground. Gen.
Scott was all the while profoundly silent upon
the subject If he was in favor of these meas
ures when this mighty struggle was being made
before the tribunal of public opinion, the result
of which involved the best interests of the re.
public, present and prospective, why did he not
come up and give to Webster and Fillmore the
influence of his mighty name, ard aid them in
harmonizing the country, and bringing North.
ern men to sound position upon this question!
WHY did he not do it! IL can only be accounted
for by ascrbing to him that sort of ambition
which made the angels fall from Heaven. He
wanted the Presidency; and, in his extreme
desire to be President, he forgot the higher and
nobler duty which he owed to his country
That is the whole of it. No man is so glorious
in this country, when he aspires to the first
place in the republic, az to make it sacrlIege to
speak freely of his position and Of the tenden-
cies-poli,ica tendencies-likely 10 result from
his success We have n right to speak freely.
| claim that right, aud 10 man shall make me
afraid.
Now, sir, have read in some old books
which described the usages and customs IN the
barbarous and dark ages of the world, that when
some unfortunate subject incurred the displea
sure of his king, The order was promptly given
to behead him, and to stick his head upon
pike.staff, and carry it through the streets. On
such occasions, all loyal subjects were required
to fall into the train, to testify to the justice and
power of their sovereign, who had exterminated
his enemy, ty shouts and huzzas. Now, if
General Scott is nominated at Baltimore, what
triumph for SEWARD What shout of exu
tation will burst from his lips, and from the lips
of all his faithful and hopeful followers Some
willing merceuaries " i'll be ready, hguratively
speaking, to raise aoft upon their pike stalls the
heads of Webster and Fillmore, and all North
ern Union loving Wings who have stood by
them, and bear them through the streets amid
the shouts and huzzas Of their victorious enc
miles, and we shall have grand jubilant, exult
ing gorificatior, TO celebrate the occasion. AS
q loyal Wbig who has never proved uEfalthul
to my party, myself and my Southern Wing
friends will be required to fall amicnbly into
line, and constitute The rear guard of Mr.. SEW
ARDS column, and give him our voices to swell
the ubant exultation. WE'LL perhaps may
try. Laughter But my opinion is, that my
utmost efforts TO shout will resolve itself into
grown ofdespair / cannot do it, will not.
Put that down in your note -book. swell, what
will you do I? "Join the Democratic party Z"
y Laughter do not think shall do not
know what shall do But know ] will do
what believe TO be my duty. My present i'm
preston is, that I shall deem it more consistent
with my pride of character, TO stand aloof from
the contest. But if thought one mans vote
or one mans influence were necessary to cast
the vote of Tennessee for Piece and King, my
voice and my vote should be given to them I'M
hestatingly And any gentleman who dreams