The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-24
Disunion Of the Wing Party.

Cured to mark the progress OF lhlsohioh io"arus
that disastrous destiny to which 1t has been
rapidly tending for seventeen years. The wing
party has been dissolved by the slavery ques-
ton. MANY of the churches had divided hereto
fore, and the Democratic party was divided IN
1850 on this question. But the Wing party was
considered one of the strongest bonds OF union
for il had long been the most indulgent to
Northern aggression. And at the present time
il had brilliant military chieftian for Presi
dental candidate, and fifty millions of money to
disburse annually in case of success. 1t is OBJ
vious, therefore, that division could not have
occurred, until every effort to preserve unity
had been made and failed.
One Of the most curious characteristics OF the
event. is that it occurred on point OF order.
But the greatest revolutions have begun in a
manner equally trivial in appearance. The
French Revolution of lS47 begun by prohibit
ing big dinner parties, and the actual conflict
was commenced by an accidental shot. SO on
this occasion, the Compromise, which it was
fondly hepedi would save the Union, was itself
LES by an arrow in the heel, or that of ALEX
AMBER THE GREAT by an extra toddy was glor.
ious compared to the ignominious stab inflicted
on the Compromise, with point Of order, by
Senator MAEGUM chairman of the caucus.
The Wing caucus met by adjournment night
before last at the capitol. The object of calling
it had been stated to be to fix the day and place
for the next Wing National Convention TO meet
Before proceeding, however, to that question,
Mr.. MARSHALL, of Kentucky, offered resolu-
ton in the words Of the one which had been
adopted in a partial caucus of the Wing mem
bers at the beginning of the session. The ques
ton of order was raised, rand it was grayeIy
maintained that in Wing Congressional eau
Gus, the Compromise was out of order. Well,
this might have been technically the case, but
We never heard before of such stringent rules in
a body legally unrestricted But it is very Ger
tain that if a requisite majority of the body
wanted to pronounce in favor of the Compro-
mise, the rules could have been suspended.
The Southern Wings wanted to know of the
Northern Wings, whether they would support
the Compromise This was reasonable thing
for one portion of party to ask Of another, and
the caucus was proper occasion, as it was the
preliminary to party contest-~and the ques
ton had become in fact rather urgent, after the
very significant vote on that subject in the
House, the other day, when so many Northern
Wings were opposed-and so many indisposed
The expediency of an answer to this question
became also the more urgent from the obstinate
silence of General ScoTT, who was ofttmes
solemnly called to answer thereto but came not
aud made default. 1t is true, the General had
published letter against publishing letters on
public questions by candidates but then he had
magnanimously waived his consistency by re-
spending to ajolly Irish dinner party in letter
recanting the Native American doctrines of
former one. And some Of the Southern Wing,
thought they might as well have letters, even
ifthey were Natives, as their adopted brethren
1t is true that assurances were offered by
several gentlemen, that the General was sound
on the Compromise, but the Southern Wings
were evidently afraid the people would not be-
lieye it,
So it was, the Compromise resolution was
ruled out Of order, and some twelve TO twenty
Southern Wings ruled themselves out Of the
Convention, and seeded. There were, we un-
derstsnd, but ten Southern Wings, minority,
left in the Convention, and that ten from three
only Of the Southern States, Kentucky, North
Carolina, and Tennessee.
Many Of the Souihsrn Wings did not attend
at all. There are forty-fo in Congress, and
there were only about sixty.four Wings altoge-
ther ia the caucus Tn. secession, therefore,
Of the Southern Wings, would seem TO be de.
cisiye, and the Wing party, as now organized,
is principally and practically a Northern sec.
tional party. 1t has lost whatever Of balance or
ballast or of equili3 ium, it has heretofore had
from the South.
This movement will produce total revou.
ton Of parties. The Democratic party con
tains within itself the causes Of dissolution
scarcely less powerful than those which have
divided the Wings. In fact there is now
scarcely measure or a man before the country
on which any party can unite.
II is in vain, however, for the Southern
Wings or Democrats 10 make platform Of the
Compromise. There is but one plank Of il
left, the Fugtive-slave law, and that is wind.
shaken and worm-eaten. II is the plank which
the South is required to walk, preparatory to
the final plunge. We shall not walk it. We
have no idea Of renqushing the fight on the
main deck for our share Of the ship and cargo
When we are utterly overcome, and all further
resistance is hopeless, we would be as willing 10
be thrown over the side Of the ship at once, as
10 be required TO walk such plank
We subjoin the fullest sketch we have vet
seen Of the Caucus proceedings, from cores.
pondent Of a Wing paper, who was probably
an eye witness:
Hi r Il