The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-06-08
-. n...xrasic Soninatien- r. olities- Party.

ocratic nomination and platform Wo Snail give
that explanation, duly and speedily. Meanwhile
we must take the liberty of stating, that the de-
lay in presenting our views on the subject arises
from no hesitation whatever, Of either OF the
editors of this paper eitheras to their own oPln-
ions, or their readiness to avow them. The cir
cum ,tances which will be promptly stated, will,
we trust, be quite sufficient.
For the present, however, we must indulge
ourselves in some recollcctions and reflections
on the nature Of parties in this country
1t is now some twenty or thirty years since
the two principal parties of the land began 10
assume their present distinctive character.
The Administration Of DIR. MONROE was sig
nslzed bv the expiration of the Federal party,
and the beginning of tho Democratic and wing
psrties-although neither Of these names was
assumed until long afterwards. Indeed, the
election of General JACKSON was the result OF
very curious compound of ultra Federal, and
ultra Republican elements But, before his Ad-
ministration closed, the distinction was estab
lished between the Wing and Democratic par
ties.
In those parties, respectively several great
leaders appeared. They were men of great
ability. They gave to their parties the doctrine,
the argument, which have since constituted their
moral elements and identity.
What now has been the fate of the great lead
ers and founders Of the two parties-the men
of giant mind and mighty fame? Almost every
one of them has abandoned his party, or has
been deserted by it, Let us look at the Demo
cratic party:
CALHOUN, WRIGHT,
4s VAN buren,, BENTON.
Every one of these men, the acknowledged
leaders and champions North, South, East and
West, either renowned his party or has been
renowned by it, Let us look at the Wings:
ADAMS, WEBaTER,
CLAY.
Mr.. ADAMS, it is we'll known, acted, during the
latter years of his life, independently OF his par
ty, and often in opposition to it. Mr. CLAY has
i been successfully set aside by HARRISON and
TAYLOR, and would be so treated now by Gen.
SCOTT, if in good health Nay, it is almost GER
tain that he himself would now repudiate his
party, and attempt the formation of a Compro'
mise Union party. AS for Mr.. WEBSTER, the
ever been permitted to become even competitor
for the highest honor of his party, and now
scarcely has the support of single State II
this is owing, in any degree, to the augmenting
sectional diversities of opinion, as is the fact
the Lesson ia still more important.
And now what has the Democratic Conven
ton done ? Has it nominated one of its princ
pal men? No, CAss, BUCHANAN, DOUGLAS
MARCY, a. Co., are all set aside, and Genera
PIERCE is preferred
We think this is a proper occasion to present
these facts to the young men of til mt in the
country, as an admonition. These are the re
suits of the elective franchise, and Of party, for
the last twenty-five years. No doubt some OF
these men. have been aenated from their party
by disappointed ambition-but some have been
offended, or mortified by the precedence award
ed to those of inferior talent and public service
But between the sentiments of the people and O
their real leaders, the discrepancy has beer
such, that the practical prescription of talent
and public service has been the uniform result
of the last twenty-five years of our history
Such is the result of party-and of ambition
Now, during the whole of this period many
of these great men--all of them, made many
concessions of opinion and of position to the
popular and party sentiment of the day. In
vain.
Let us now glance at the future Is there
any reason to believe that for the ensuing quar-
ter OF a century, the results will be different
Nay, is it not probable that his tendency is now
stronger than ever? And if this be so, we con
tend that the time has arrived for every man O,
vigorous mind and firm conviction, to take
stand for independence of thought, and to pur.
sue his pathway to honor and to fame, along
the line of his own views of duty and of truth
for as population multiplies and interests arc
diversified, the chances of high office are posi-
lively diminished, and the tendency grow
stronger day by day, to exclude from popula
suffrage those, who in the great practical strup
giles of opinion, and of interest, must excite the
opposition and the envy of host of rivals.
EB A curious controversy has sprung up
In California, between Gov. BIGLER and the
Chinese immigrants. We give the message of
the former in this mornings paper The con
dition Of things in that new State is strange and
anomalous, and this is one of its most orig-
nal features. The Cinnamon stand their ground
and argue the question with the Governor with
agreat deal of point and ingenuity.
R The pressure on our columns for the
last few days has prevented the insertion of the
usual amount of editorial The absorbing in
terest of single subject, however, which has
occupied all minds for the past week, will plead