The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-28

1
South Carolins--like that of Achilles in his
tent, restrained from revenging the past, but
stunning the councils where he may be sub
iected to future insults not without its moral
grandeur But peculiar circumstances renaer
such an attitude less practicable ana less De-
coming to her Southern sisters Achilles had
doubtless mauy sympathizers; but had many
| initiated his example, destruction would have
fallen on the Grecian host. Should the whole
State Rights party stand aloof from the Pre-
Dental contest, the destnies of the country, and
their own, will be thrown into the hands Of men
bitterly hostile to them, and radically opposed
TO the principles of true constitutional freedom.
Duties, like rights, are relative. Each must per-
form his own with reference to the exigencles
that surround him, which cannot always be
fully appreciated by others.
| 10 obyiate miscoistruction of our course and
our motives, we have prefaced with these obser-
vations the impartial survey and discussion OF
the political field on which we are about to enter
At this moment, the two parties known as
Wing and Democratic, are in state OF utter
confusion, and their respective conventions at
Baltimore promise a very Babel of dscordant
tongues, unless some understanding is arrived
at and mutual confidence established among the
different members of those parties. Win re-
respect to the Wing party, the impossibiIty Of
any utilization with it on the part of State Rights
| men, is a foregone Conclusion. Neither its plat
form, its principles, or its men will suit the
State Rights party. 1t is Federal party in
theory, and consolidation one in practice Its
construction of the Constitution is latitudins-
rian its candidates Southern man with North
ern, and two Northern men with Southern
feelings, after the approved Van Buren, pattern
either of whom. would be equally objections
able Bli6l. Black George" or +" Bellonas
Bridegroom"
Hon.. stands il. wih the Democracy The
difficulties on this side, although grave, as we
have shown, are 10y no means SO numerous, so
serious, or so insurmountable. They might
readily, and ought to, be removed; and if that
discretion and tact be exercised which have usu
ally characterized the party, all bars and obsta-
cles to a substantial reunion will be ehectually
withdrawn.
The ppctical issues before their convention
will be:
First--The propriety of re affirming the old
Creed of "A and '48.
!Seconl-The expedency of adding some
new article, suited to the exigency, and calcu-
lated to harmonic or to allay the sectional
feeling which now distracts the party.
Third-The selection of candidate who
shall not be forciby thrust upon, tut cordially
accepted by, the great body of the Democracy
Every consideration of proprety, of principle,
and of consistency Indicate the course of the
convention on the first point too obviously to
permit of discussion. We proceed to examine
in their order the remaining issues. And here
let US remark, that we repudiate the appearance,
as we do not indulge the desire, of anything
like dctation. We seek to treat rs friends, to
unite as allies and equals If it were in our
power to fetter the convention by instructions,
we would not do so, as TO the mode and the de-
tails of its action the choice of any particular
candidate. As regards the substance of its &C
ton only, we must be plain, rs we mean to be
firm from sense of duty and Of right.
The sincerity of this declaration will mme-
diately appear in the avowal that, in our belief,
the party of Southern Rights is, and ought to
be neutral, upon the naked question of verbal
endorsement BY the convention of the only So
called Compromise measure which now remains
practically inoperative AID subject to repeal or
active aggression. If such an endorsement be
necessary to sustain at home the Northern Dem
ocrats who have so handsomely advocated the
law, let them have it. The South cannot object
TO mere harmless ,oords but fer her own pur-
poses she asks them not. Remembering the
swords of lath that have heretofore been brand
shed in her behalf, in the shape of Fillmore
proclamations and Webster speeches, Nicho-
son letters, and treasontrial farces, she might
well disclaim such aid. I" Mon tall aurilio nee
dgensoribus istis ega tempus." Present to her
candidate whose antecedents, as well AZ whose
present position, guaranty in his administration
Sincere anu an utcclHpIoinlSlnr maintenance
Of the Fugitive Slave law in its integrity, and
further endorsement, she need not, and she will
not ask In such an event, if the silence of the
convention will help their candidate, if Northern
Free Sellers will aid to bring into power an ad-
ministraton from which, az such, they can never
receive any sympathy or support, there seems to
be no reason why we should reject their votes.
If their desire to repudiate the Constitutional
obligation of fugitive rendition, rage in i'm
potent fury within their own breasts alone, and
enter not as an element into the contest, we
surely need not, therefore, refuse their aid in
restraining Federal encroachment, and ad
ministering the general affairs of this Union upon
true Republican principles.
Butthere are those, DESTROYS of throwing into
the convention what may prove firebrand,
an endorsement of the Compromise much more
| aYfpnsive and involving other nrinri ples-a