Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1852-04-03
The State Rights Democracy and the Compro-
miSn


The position of the Southern wing of the Dem
ocratic party in respect to the Compromise, . is
misunderstood by some and others desgnedly
misrepresented. Both the ignorant and the :
licious persist in respecting the State Rights De-
mocracy as inimical to the Compromise. when in
fact, they are its most devoted and determined
supporters. That combination of laws entitled the
Compromise, - embraced five distinct measures.
Against some of these measures the Southern De-
mocracy protested to the last have they yet
abated one jot of their original disapprobation.
But these measures are executed. They ir-
repealabe. California ad itted INTO the IN
ion, in violation OF every principal OF rlght IN
Justice, but she cannot be expelled from the con
federacy The territory of Texas was diSmem-
bered and portion of it sold to free-sol but the
bargain is consummated and the purchase money
has been paid. The slave trade is abolished in
the District of Columbia, and it is impossible 70
restore it. These three acts of the Compromise
were originally opposed By the Southern Dcmoe-
racy, and they still regard them with unqualified
disapprobation = but they beyond repeal or
remedy. and nobody proposes to disturb ,Eem.-
The remaining measures of the Compromise bore
the sembance of jus ice 10 the South, they
only are susceptible OF change future or controyer-
sy When Utah and New NJ xico apply for adj
mission into the Union there my be Il contest
between the North and Sou h, should their con
stilutions tolerate slavery. Blu. then pre- ent GOV
ernments contain no prohibition OF slavery, and
so far, they are acceptable to tie South. Tie
fugitive slave law was forced through Congress by
the Southern Democracy. and constu ed lie
y substantial and indispu,abe advantage gained
in It's recent conflicts with abolition. Thus, OF all
the measures of adjustment, it may be said that
only one can. by possibility, be repealed. The
oilers are executed they have accomplised their
purpose and cannot be affected by future legi>la-
ton. The fugitive slave law is The coInpro-
mise and when men talk about abiding by the
Compromise, they refer to the support of the flu
4i,ive slave law With what justice then are the
State Rights Democracy accused of hostility 10
the Compromise Wish them the fugitive slave
bill ori !inaed their rcSoiute efforts ii enact
ed, and fear of their vengeance alone keeps Ii up
on the statute book So firm and determined are
they IN sustaining it, that th,y have saked their
allie glance to the Union upon It's inviolabity. He
either ignorantly aspcr>es or baseIy SANDERS the
Southern Democracy who accuses III, m OF hosiil-
ity to HE Compromise They have in truth taken
their last stand upon the Compromise, and have
resolved in that position to defend the rights oi Ee
South. from far her aggression. So earnest are
they in this resolve, that they Will support man
for the Presidency, matter by what sanction or
ceremony he may be comm, nded to thom, who
cannot by the testimony of history establish the
sincerity of his presentp pledges to sustain the Com
promise III all It's measures. MS Is the pOSiLItl O
the Southern portion of the Democratic parry, and
this is the substance of their hostility to the Com
promise.
Is anything more necessary for the harmony o
the Democratic party? Are any concessions de-
manded of the State Rights Democracy? Is il
expected that they will take back denunciation
which they hurled against the admission OF Cali
forni;,, the partition Of Tt xas, and Che abolition Of
the slave trade IN the District Must tl:,y aban-
don principle, and approve now what they once
condemned Are they 10 turn apostates 20 ihtiI
own faiJh These heterogeneous are briefly an
swered-the Sou hern Democracy are resolved to
abide by principle without regard 10 The eXlgt
ces OF parry Right, justice and reason, tle ' vii
surrender 20 necessity. Their past ccnduc il
defence of he rights OF the South, they iessr4
with pride and triumph, and they will nevsr de
base themselves by any confession OF error OF Al
ftcton of repentance III order to prop iale lie pre-
iudicc of friend or foe. They will never bo mpN
ed by any but honorable impulses. and 'l'y vi
sacrifice principle neither 20 cupdiy norsH.bl
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