Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-04-01
The Bowie Knife.


in favor of Mr.. Fillmore, and opposed to Gen.
Scott, in tone and temper like other emanatons
from some of the more indiscreet friends of the
first named gentleman.
The burden of his remarks was that Gas both
the Wing and Democratic parties have endorsed
the Compromise measures each of them should
nominate candidate notoriouSly favorable to
these measures; !" that he would not " go into the
market bidding for Abolition votes;" that he would
prefer Compromise Democrat to a Wing who
would not put himself upon the record in this
position; that President Fillmore had done well
in removing certain gentlemen in the North be-
cause they differed in opinion with him on the
Compromise measures, and so forth.
His laudaton Of Mr.. Fillmore was very ample
we will not say undeservedly So In what he had
said, he was struggling for nationality, and, $50
help him God, if silence is preserved in order to
get the higher-aw VOTE he never would vote for
that platform !"
Mr.. Williams has perhaps acted well in this
matter and in his opinion, so as 10 receive the
appreciation Of the gentleman he advocates; but
has he gone far enough for that The instant
humiliation of the Wing party, and the creation
Of new party, that-in the language of the
amiable and gentlemanly Secretary of the Int
rier, and tacitly acquiesced in by Mr. Fill
more-shall "knop no Wing, no Democrat -
were objects once earnestly demanded; and the
labors of the Republic have tended constantly to
this point. How is it that Mr.. Williams is so
far behind the wishes of these gentlemen, who
long since essayed to kick from beneath them
the platform by which they had assembled? Mr..
Williams only vote for Democrat in GER
tain exlgency Nine months ago they for whom
he speaks were far in advance of his present po-
stion Has he Inexperienced them, or does
he not speak catheara?
Four years ago the choice of the Wings of the
North was waived, and their hearty support given
to General Zachary Taylor. A strictly military
life in the service of his country satisfied them
of his devotion to the Union. A life illustrious
in its military glory, and sgnally honorable in
every episode of its civil and political deeds
united with declarations thousand times re-
peated, bearing directly on the point in question,
sustains the pledge of General Scott's fidelity
and yet Wig arises to demand that he shall
promise fealty to the constitution of his coun-
his enemies in invoking some new-vamped decla-
rations from which to force differences disparag-
ing to their author-inferences unwarranted by |
a single act of his whole life
What is the real purpose of Mr.. Williams and
gentlemen standing at his side? Has any one
been disappointed in the late Senatorial election
in Tennessee? Is any Tennessean to be opposed
through opposition to General Scott? Are other
Presidential candidates to be strengthened in
their position before the Wing National Conven-
ton? Are there Wigs before the election and no.
party men after, who would prefer the humiliation
of the Wing party rather than the success Of
others than themselves in it?
We hold Willard Fillmore in exalted estima-
ton. He is, in every relation of life, gentle
man, and nobly adons his present position Yet
were our estimate Of him far different and were
we fulfilling the duty of partisan in the Wing
party ayerse to him, we had rather sever from its
wrist the hand that writes these lines than de-
nounce him and threaten to desert the standard
Of that party in the event Of his triumph over
the candidate of our choice.
We cannot repress the emotion that bids us dis
own and contemn these arrogant dcnunciatons of
man whose brow bears the impress of many
years Of arduous toll and priyaton in his coun-
try's service; whose blood has crimsoned the
earth Of many battlefield; whose pledge Of
fidelity to the constitution and lars Of his country
is recorded in every chapter Of her history for
forty years and more; whose declaration has
ever been that he knows :" no North, no South.
no East, no West"-no anything but the whole
Union, as our fathers bequcathed it to US
General Scott may yield to the impulses of his
nature and speak out in tones of thunder his
response to these puny demands but if he does,
he cannot utter syllable that is not now extant
MS oft repeated as the shout that followed him 10
victory, the tradtionary words Of bonored
remembrance that will perpetuote his memory
to future generations.
Why will not partsans act rs becomes them
Let the bowie knife rest in its sheath. and stae
the serpents hiss when the names Of tho good
and great are uttered in the halls Of our nations
councils. As we look upon the Senate Of tho
United States, and behold the forms Of a CLAW a
Cass, Stockton, a Douglas, and others of d;r
ferent parties and Of different sections &C ,his
Union, We are proud that they are our countrv-
men; and in our estimation Of their talents tbe;r
worth, their patriotism, forget that they are
partisans, and hold them in undivided reverence
And when the party contest arises, though we
hesitate not to make our election among them.
our voice would be silenced if the approval Of any
one would involve the denunciation of the rest
even OF those Of another party, much less the
great The noble, and the honored Of our own.
democrats Of Maryland.
We learn from tho corro. :. - = a, - :.