The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-04

are Ignorant Of the use of what Is cad 4 "a,
in party 81 flicts and one Of the reasoI 81 Tie
confusion in each of the parties heres that
they cannot agree upon what their res,ct;vej
cries shall be. They have not been az to(
make choice Of gathering word--a sd a.
answer to all arguments We heard thesulI|
! blast Of that cry during the last year. Ii AZ
4 Union! Union Saue he Union Manva
one found himself the temporary idol of coz. |
stituency alarmed by false approximations oy |
danger, and holding office solely by the force
and effect of that cry A cry of fire, whether
false or true, puts all III motion on whose ear
| It falls This humbug performed its oficel|
Thiscry died out, until its faint echoes could M
longer amuse OF deceive. Another became ne \
cessary, and we have it now in full chorue,
Peace, quiet, repcse, and finally Of the comproA
mise measures This fierce and restless desiref
for repose, this horror Of agitaton is now the
cry, and in the calm spirit which it generates,
ldisposes partizan leaders TO assault withoNt
mercy or reserve all who are not as disorderl&
in their desires for peace as themselves. The)
measures of compromise are SO pacific, SO COM
posing, that none can escape the character of
agtators by being only willing to abide BY them.j
but must express a sense Of obligation to ala
who ever advocated and approved Of them. And
as every cry has its echo, the Simon PnreS
regard all such as ultras--at the North. Free-k
soilers and Abolitionsts; at the South, Secs
sionists and dsunionists, per Sc, who do NOT
fully concur with them.
This, sir, may do for very short season. but
kefhe feeble cry Of dying infant, it will sink
ldt( noe and the grave. II shows, however \
a win bind in those who use it to prescribe
and destroy those against whom it is raised. |
The most ridiculous exhibition which have !
so fhx,a ,.t oet q
promise in this House as subject Of Legislative
action. This anodyne, this pacifcating and
composing expedient, on its bare mention hereS
throws the whole House into disorder an con.
fusion. None can mistake the cause. We
have indeed resorted to the expedient of reso-
iutions reaffirming those measures, recognizing
the inality, and acknowledging the universal
assent OF the people and ourselves to their pro.
visions. But, sir, however the record NAV 40. I
pear upon paper, it will excite smile when pa 1
rused by any one who witnessed the fierce
resistance made to this authoritative acknowI-
edgment of harmony and peace A calm sue.
ceeded for some few days, but symptoms Of
discomfort continually arise. If people would
be quiet, they are not permitted to be SO. Like
the gentleman from Indiana, Mr.. GoRMAs.1t
some cordial approyer of those measures on,
peace and concord, reproaches those who do not
admire them as fully as himself, calls hard names.
and places them in unpleasant associations, and
all Is at sea again. The effect of the resolution
of concurrence in series of laws now on the
statute book lose their composing effect; the
buttress gives way, and the temple of peace
threatens to tumble.
have heard it suggested by iudicious per.
sons, that resolutions of acquiescence in the
measures Of compromise ought to be passed
every Monday of the session, and the laws en-
acted on that occasion done into respectable
verse, and committed to memory, to be said or
sung by all friends of peace and harmony.
That, as resolutions affirming the compromise
laws were necessary to fix the authority of those
laws UPON the hearts of the people, SO there
ought to be weekly resolutions recognizing and
reatlirming those which, having been past, need
the reyivifying effect of recognition, lest Il ey
loose their hold upon our minds. II may ans.
wer another valuable purpose: that Of furnish
ing an excuse for an assault on those who are
unwilling to support every measure of party
fayoritism, or enlarged scheme of public ex.
penditure. 1t may afford az opportunity to
classify and denounce such persons, and thus
aid to prolong the dying notes of party cry.
Such expedients have often been effectual for
most mischievous purpose. The people are
sometimes misled for time, and great Injustice
is done TO good and patriotic men. Those de.
siring immediate reward for party services, can
not wait, and, as time and tide wait for no man.
the tide must be raised, and the occasion seized
Tor the attainment of the end proposed. OF
course, would not attribute such motives 10
members OF this House; but all of Us are more
or less affected by that pressure from without
which Is felt from the operation of public opin-
ion, however formed. | am one of those. sir.
who voted for the recognizing resolutions. and
am watching with great interest their effect in
giving peace and tranquility. ] am willing 20
be advised, and pass them again ifthey are like
TO grow old or cold, should those who are ex
pert IN political practice recommend such pro-
ceeding, by way Of repeating the dose.
But sir, IL grave question, how far il Is
proper to resort to the denunciation of classes,
~ order to carry any favorite measure here.
History has instructed us that although such
expcdients have been for time successful. IN
the end they have brought ruin and reproaeh
upon the authors. The Abolitionists and Free.
sellers are unpopular South, and the advocates
OF The right OF secession in bad odor nj the
North. Should members who are either sus-
pected or believed TO hold opinions on those
subjects which are called extremes, happen 10
vote together upon ary question, the cry of
coalition between those who, however differing
IN opinion are charged with desire OF Crafty
ing aconmon hostility, is made 10 answer eveiy
argument suggesting economy in the public
expenditures, or purity in the sources Of public
information We know that the desireto obtain
a prize increases with The prospects Of success.
and when so near as 10 glitter in the eyes Of the
pursuer, is apt 10 absorb his entire attention.
Whatever may obstruct the pursui, Is cause of
irritation whoever may defer or disappoint the
acquisition is regarded an enemy These OBJ
stacles must be removed, and as politicians and
stetesmen exist by the breath Of public opinion,
Teadicst mode Is 10 make them odous-in
ches and despotisms, TO inform and place
within the iron grasp Of power--in, such
a government as ours, 10 render them objects Of
suspicion and di-trust. Theory, the war slogan
OF party, Is raised at their heels, and sometimes
they are hunted down wth success.
Those who were bold enough 20 censure the
annnSes ~ Cmres H., found in Titus Oates
.t.l i. a