The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-07-03
nIhe Sauthern Press. ID


referred to, render it necessary now to explain
the position of the "Souihern Press"
1t is almost precisely month since the Dem.
ocratic nominations were made and the platform
adopted. The moment he saw the platform, the
senior editor of this paper determined defini.
lively that he would not cooperate with the
Democratic party. But, learning that the South.
ern rights members of Congress had all decided
otherwise, he Immediately rendered the estab.
lishment TO them at fair price, that they might
take measures to have it conducted according
to their own views and those Of tho Southern
Rights delegates in the Baltimore Convention,
who had all acquiesced in the platform, And
he understood steps would be promptly taken
to effect the change. The Southern Press,
therefore, abstained from taking any position as
to. the nominations, until after the new arrange
ments could be made. But nothing has as yet
been done.
The senior editor, therefore, is not RESPONSE
BILE for any proceedings in the Democratic eau
Gus respecting the paper. He neither asks nor
expects the patronage of that party or Of any
other Ill.,. ~.
The senior editor of the Southern Press will
not become member Of any party that endorses
the Compromise in any way. And he considers
that in the pledge to "abde by and adhere
to the faithful execution " of the Compromise
measures, they are endorsed For, if not, they
ought not to have been selected from the statute
!, hnn lar hoe 40
served such a pledge. II has been said that
nothing remains of the Compromise measures
to be executed but the Fugitive Slave Law;
and hence the pledge of the Democratic Con.
vention really has no force or meaning but the
execution of that law. But this is mistake
There is the law prohibiting the slave trade in
this District, and as this law is the verdict of
the Federal Government against slavery and
10 favor of emancipation, it does not become
Southern-rights men to pledge themselves spe.
cially in favor of its execution. As for the
other parts Of the Compromise the law to dis.
member Texas and pay her in money for it, is
not executed, and that is not law that deserves
any manifestation of favor from Southern men
But the truth is, this pledge was demanded from
the Convention, by the Compromise portion of
the party, and was and is considered by them
an endorsement of their course, and for this We
would not make it. We consider the re solu-
tons on the subject, as manifestation by the
Convention Of peculiar esteem and Apr obation
for the Compromise, and, therefore, we will not
concur in it but do now here and will, on all
proper occasions in future, protest against il.
Before the Convention met we acquiesced relnc
family in the policy ofreunon with the democratic
party, simply because that policy had been adopt.
ed by the great body of Southern Rights men and
because We believed il IN ore orthodox than the
Wing party. We repeatedly advised our friends
10 adhere 10 separate organization, for in that
way We though, they could most effsctaslly
slaintain the rights and interests of the South.
And We knew that in cooperating with one Of
the Federal parties we would be bound 10 waive
during the canvass the discussion Of any Of The
questions on which its members differed. For
il We were 10 become a member Of that or any
other party, we would feel bound in good faith
10 promote lis harmony. But we considered
that the difference Of sentiment on the Southern
question between our friends and the other
portions Of the Democratic party, was wider
and deeper than between Wings and Democrats
on their creeds respectively. And seeing the
Southern Rights party would be in q minor
iiy, we expected they would be prescribed
and so expressed ourselves repeatedly in thi.
paper. But when the Compromise platform
was adopted, we had no room left 10 doubt, and
hence, as matter Of policy, as well as Of prin.
cpe, we would no: aequiesce in that platform.
Now, il ]. frequently said that platforms nre
not essentisl-that they are di,regarded-and
we observe that in several cases the avowal has
been made Of determination 10 support the
candidates and repudiate the platform. But
this is bad faith. The platform il the covenant
Of the party, and we can tell those who take
this course, that when they come 10 have their
claims 70 party patronage and bonors cauvasscd
they will fiud that the Compounds faction, for
whom and by wf'om this platform was made.
will no, disregarsit, bot will plead !, az per.
petusl bar to The promotion Of all who disa.
vowed t. Already what do we see Why,
General CAss, the leader Of the Compromise
Democrats, pronouncng Mr. FoRsYTH, an able
and powerful Southern Rights man, 10 be utter.
ly unworthy Of party favor. As for what Gen.
ersl CAss says Of the past course Of the South.
ern Press, we care very little. We ask him no
favor. And we scarcely know man whose
opinions we regard with less respect
We are glad TO learn his real sentiments
through his appropriate organ, FRANCIS J.
GRUsD. General CAss thinks the Southern
Press 10 no better than the National Era. We
are sorry We canno, reciprocate the compli.
ment We don't think General CAss is as
good as a sincere Abolitionist or Freesoile,
Either the Southern Press or the National Era
is right No shutter like General Cas- ian be.
.l.ynxv l. .-,o,o .nH ~ tha fadarsl rova,-