The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-03

"a
in party conflicts; aud one of the reasons Of the
confusion in each OF the parties here is, that
they cannot agree upon what their respective
cries shall be- They have not been able to
make choice of q gathering word--a sort Of
answer to all arguments. We heard The full
blast Of that cry during the last year. 1t was
Union Union! Sarc the Union MANY a
one found himself the temporary idol of con.
stituency alarmed by false approximations of
danger, and holding office solely by the force
aud effect Of that cry. A cry of fire, whether
false or true, puts all in motion on whose car
il falls. This humbug performed lis Office.
This cry died out, until its faint echoes could no
longer amuse or deceive. Another became me-
cessary, and we have it now in full chorus,
Peace, quiet, repose, AID fnality Of The compro-
mise measures. This fierce and restless desire
for rspose, this horror Of agitation, is now the
cry, aud in the calm spirit which it generates,
disposes partisan leaders TO assault without
mercy or reserve all who are not as disorderly
in their desires for peace as themselves. The
measures of compromise are SO pacific. so COM
posing, that none can escape the character of
agitators by being only willing to abide by them.
but must express sense Of obligation TO ali
who ever advocated and approved Of them. And
AS every cry has its echo, the Simon Pures
regard all such aa ultras--at the North. Free.
soilers and AboIitiOnists at the South, Seces.
sionsts and disnnlonisls, per Sc, who do not
fully concur with them.
This, sir, may do for very short season. but
like the feeble cry Of dying infant, it will sink
into silence and the grave. 1t shows, however.
willing mind in those who use it to proscriba
and destroy those against whom it is raised.
The most ridiculous exhibition which have
seen is the effect of the mention of the com.
promise in this House subject Of legislative
action. This anodyne, this pacifcating and
composing expedlent, on its bare mention here.
throws the whole House into disorder and con.
fusion. None can mistake the cause. We
have indeed re.orted to the expedient of reso.
lutions reattirming those measures, recognizing
the finality, and acknowledging the universal
assent of the people and ourselves to their pro.
visions. But, sir, however the record NAV ap.
pear upon paper, it will excite a smile when pc
rused by any one who witnessed the fierce
resistance made TO this authoritative acknowl.
edgment of harmony and peace. "A calm sue.
ceeded for some few days, but symptoms of
discomfort continually arise. If people would
be quiet, they are not permitted to be so. Like
the gentleman from Indiana, Mr. GoRMAs,1
some cordial approver of those measures OF
peace and concord, reproaches those who do not
admire them as fully as hinself calls hard names.
and places them in unpleasant associations, and
all is at sea again. The effect of the resolution
of concurrence in a series Of laws now on tho
statute book lose their composing effect: the
buttress gives way, and the temple of peace
threatens to tumble.
have heard it suggested by judicious per-
sons, that resolutions of acquiescence in the
measures of compromise ought to be passed
every Monday of the session, and the laws en-
arfa1 hat
verse, and committed to memory, to be said ar
sung by all friends of peace and harmony.
That, as resolutions affirming the compromise
laws were necessary to fix the authority of those
laws upon the hearts Of the people, 30 there
ought to be weekly resolutions recognizing and
reafiirmng those which, having been past need
the revivifyng effect of n recognition, lest Il ey
loose their hold upon our minds. 1t may ans.
wer another valuable purpose: that of furnish
ing an excuse for an assault on those who are
unwilling to support every measure of psrty
favoritism, or enlarged scheme of puLlic ex.
penditure. 1t may afford an opportunity to
classify and denounce such persons, and thus
mid to prolong the dying notes of party cry
Such expedients have often been effectual for
most miscellaneous purpose. The people are
sometimes misled for time, and great injustice
is done to good and patriotic men. Those de-
string immediate reward for party services, can
not wait, and, as time and tide wait for no man.
the tide must be raised, and the occasion seized
for the attainment of the end proposed. or
course, would not attribute such motives to
members Of this House; but all of us are more
or less affected by that pressure from without
which is felt from the operation of public opln-
ion, however formed am one Of those, sir.
who voted for the recognizing resolutions, and
am watching with great interest their effect in
giving peace and tranquility. ] am willing to
be advised, and pass them again if they are like
to grow old or cold, should those who are ex.
pert in political practice recommend such pro.
ceedlng, by way of repeating tire dose.
But, sir, it is grave question, how far it is
proper to resort to the denunciation of classes.
in order to carry any favorite measure here.
History has instructed us that although such
expedents have been for time successful. in
the end they have brought ruin and reproach
upon the authors The AboIitionists and Free
sollers are unpopular South, and the advocates
OF the right OF secession in bad odor at the
North Should members who are either sus-
pected or believed to hold opinions on those
subjects which are called extremes, happen to
vote together upon any question:, the cry Of a
coalition between those who, however Differing
in opinion, are, charged with desire of CRAFTY
argument suggesting economy in the public
expenditures, or purity in the sources of public
information. We know that the desire to obtain
prize increases with the prospects of success,
and when so near as to glitter in the eyes of the
pursuer, is apt to absorb his entire attentions
Whatever may obstruct the pursuit is cause Of
irritation; whoever may defer or disappoint the
acquisition is regarded nm enemy These OBJ
staclcs must be removed, and as politicians and
statesmen exist by the breath Of public opinion,
the readlest mode is to make them odious-in
monarchles and despotisms, to inform and place
them within the iron grasp of power-in such
government as ours, to render them objects Of
suspicion and distrust. The cry, the war slogan
OF party, is raised at their heels, and sometimes
they are hunted down with success.
Those who were bold enough to censure tho
excuses of Charles H., found in Titus Oates
and the Popish plot the contamination of that
vengeance, which follows political prescription
when sufficiently authoritative. The best blood
of England drenched the scaffold; neither age