The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-04-28
The Hon. mr. stephens, OF Georgia.

LUIS ulblHEuSueu Ol the WING party uuueT-
took in his speech yesterday, to deny the accuracy Of
our deductions from the votes given the resolutions Of
Colonel Jackson and Judge Hyer respec, 10 the sense
of the House on the question of acquescng in the
promise a settlement OF the issues involved
in them. We did not understand him contesting the
accuracy Of figures, but differences from them
party tests These figures certainly are lamentable
record for the wing party and especially for its present
administration 1t is beyond dispute that, with all the
appliances which could be made available the only show
OF strength which could be mustered for President Fill
more and Mr. Webster the proposition TO give the GO
by 10 the which they had staked their exist,
party men, there bu, seven votes to stand
up to them north of Mason and Dixon's line; and il is
equally true that the democratic votes from the same
section numbered hiry.seven. So also from the south
portion Of the Union the wing votes were twenty
two. and the democratic thrty-Dine.
Thus appears, of the whole democratic party in the
House, numbering one hundred and fory-one members,
seuensy-sr voted TO maintain the Compromise thirty
voted against it, while hirty-fUe were absent or failed
to vote.
OF the whig party in the House, numbering nney-two
members. twenty nine voted TO maintain the Compro
misc, Mirtyone voted against it, leaving uirty-ttco who
were absent or failed to vote
Gratis Of the House took care to be present and record
their votes in favor OF maintaining the Compromise
while less than one-hird of the wings in the House
could be brought up TO the same position.
Now it is not fault if from these facts il results
that the whg party precisely in the predicamen de-
scrbed by us-opposed to the policy which regards the
Compromise settlement OF the questions embraced
by that measure and that the democratic party is in favor
OF that policy.
We have mentioned the number OF absen,ees of both
parties, but have believe that if they had
been present and voted the result would be varied as
comparative test In all assemblies legislative or conven-
tona, moreover. there is other mode OF testing the
OF parties bat by the votes actually given on ques
tons acknowledged be party tests II on such ques
tons there Is majority OF party carrying measure
TO that party belongs the responsibility This is the law
| OF the case.
1t strikes us that the difficulty in the mind Of the
honorable member is the idea that there is. or can be,
a permanent third party in this country. That is
great mistake; and, until it is corrected it will
be in vain TO talk Of killing off the sms which
have been generated by the local and sectional feel
ings OF our countrymen 1t is admitted that the old
organizations of democracy and whggey have been
somewhat enieebed and. it may be, corrupted by the
no, in the creation OF third party, however pure and
patriotic may be the designs OF those who propose IT,
Such third party could not exist without being itself
liable TO all the faults which complained Of existing
In those ii would suppant Such party if ii succeeds
| becomes fusion OF parties, and this fusion cannot
take place without producing dangers far greater in
a country like ours, than any have yet encoun
tered In France. and in the Argentine confederation,
Al.
consolidation OF power on basis which is utterly in
consistent with constitutional liberty No. is not by
fusion OF parties that people will attempt TO correct
the faults OF the existing national organization
OF parties. One OF these parties is more wrong than
the other has strayed further from the line OF policy
which is prescribed by the genius OF our system
than the other and the people will apply the corrective
they have done ntimes past, by taking power from
those they think leas, worthy of it,
The real question now before the country is which Of
the parties the democratic or the whig can be best
reedon quc, the agiaons ebgendered by the sectional
influences that have proved dangerous republican
sysemwhich is soundest in its Interpretation OF the
powers delegated 10 The general govenment-which is
those principles which guided the patriots and
statesmen that founded. reformed and preserved our in
s,itutions when threatened by The Of foreign or
domesuc foesf ms Is the question which Is brought
up prominently by the present position Of parties on the
Compromise and do not wonder that ii embarrasses
those who find that its answer must change materially
the character which they have heretofore claimed for
their political orthodoxy. The vital feature in this
question is the ability Of the general government to en-.
force the guarantee OF the constitution which secures to
the southern the peaceabe recovery Of his fugitive
property. II this guarantee cannot be maintained
then all the other compaets oil the constitution lose
their sanctity. and our government. instead OF one
OF limited and delegated powers, becomes that only
which the will Of the majority OF numbers may
make it, That the democratic party is that alone which
has the ability and the will give the requisite
for the maintenance OF this guaranty too plain TO be
doubted after what has occurred 10 the prssen Congress
and after the demonstrations which have been given BY
nearly all the conventions that have spoken the will Of
the people on the subject
Should we have nsapprehended in any. respect the
meaning OF the honorable member from Georgia. we
shall not fail to make the proper correction after his
speech shall have been published Blu, we have no
idea tina, there viii be any occasion TO modify the gen
ersl impression IL produced well upon ourselves a.
upon his hearers genersly--and that is, tha, !, was
rather reproof OF the wing party account Of its
unsoundne.s on the constitutional question involved in
the fugitive slave law, than successful assault upon
the democrsoyraher exhibition OF the feeling which