The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-09

GoRMAH, HAMLIN.
HAVEN,
Here is a vote of two Compromise Democrats
Messrs. German and STANTON; one Compro
mise Wig, Mr.. HAVEN; and one Freesoi
Wing, Senator Smith, for the Washington
Union that aspires to be Democratic organ
and for the Republic, that aspires to be Wing
organ
Now, we suppose that no instance has ever
occurred before in this country of a coalition SC
overt fragrant, and Aagitious. Here was de-
cided Democratic majority in both Houses Of
Congress, and here was the Washington Union
that pretended or aspired to be the organ Of that
party, and there had just been vote on what
this professed organ had continually declared
to be the great test question of Democracy, and
this vote had been pronounced by this organ a
great Democratic victory. And yet, before three
days elapse, here is combination two Wings
and two Democrats in a committee, consisting
of four Democrats and two Wings, to give the
printing of these two Houses to Wing and a
Democratic organ! And this printing has inva-
riably been regarded as portion of the party
patronage, except when, under the law, it is
given to the lowest bidder
Now, we have long suspected the Compro-
mise portions of the two parties of an Interior
Ccheme Of coalition, provided they could not
have the entire control of their own parties re.
epeetively. This was indicated by what was
called the Union pledge, which was a declara-
ton signed last Congress by Lumber of mem
bers of both parties, to vote for no man not
pledged to the Compromise for any Office of i'm
portance.
But at the commencement of the present
session this position was Abandoned indeed, it
had been given up before the close of the Com
promise session. The reunion of parties was
proclaimed this session. We ourselves were
frequently urged to pronounce for the Democra.
tic party, rs the great body of our frierds were
Democrats. We replied that we could assume
no such position unless the Democrats nomi-
mated candidate for President more favorable
to the rights and interests of the South than
the Wings. We said that separate organiza-
ton of the Southern Rights party was prefera-
BILE to junction with either party, for we knew
that, being minority in either, we would be in
its power, and would be liable to its control and
prescription.
An effort was made by some of our friends to
obtain for us share of the Census printing, and
as this was controlled by Democratic majority
en- both Houses, we were urged to pledge our
selves to vote for the Democratic nominee. We
steadfastly refused to make any pledges or bar
gains. We contented ourselves with saying
that we thought the Democratic nominee would
probably be more acceptable to the South than
the Wing, and that opinion is entirely indicated
by The recent vote on the Compromise. And
we insisted that since no party was strong
enough alone to control the printing, or any
other question, it was both necessary and proper
that the two which had the greatest a6iniiies,
both from previous and probable party associa-
ton and principle, should unite and give the
printing to their respective presses. But we
knew that, although there were in the Demo
cratic ranks many who might be con6ded in
for good faith and fair dealing, that it also
contained clique of narrow minded, bitter,
vindictive and proscrptive persons, who, how
ever friendly and cordial they might pretend to
be before an election, would prescribe every
body not of their own set afterwards, even if
they had to obtain the aid Of their political OPP
ponents to effect it.
Under these circumstances il seems that the
contract printer for Congress, Mr.. HAMILTON,
became 80 remiss in the performance of his en-
gagements that the Joint Committee on Print.
ing resolved to terminate his contract, and to
give the work to others. This committee con.
sistx of four Democrats and two Wings, and
these two Wings have united with two of the
Democrats and have decided on giving it to the
Republic and Washington Union.
We call now the attention of Southern De
mocrats, without distinction, to this fact--which
is worth thousand professional when 9
case Of patronage, OF favor is concerned, q
preference is manifested for q Wing ad-
lninistration organ, over a Southern pape-,
which, whatever may be it's alleged ultra
ism, has ten times the affinity with all of them
which the Wing Administration organ hae-,on-
Quoted by Northern man--that is, excepting
ouch Of the Southern Democrats as contemplate
an ultimate coalition with the Administration.
This Administration has already manifested
ats Partially and affinity for the Washington
Union by giving it the Executive Printing. in
Siolation Of the law ~ expounded by its own