The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-29

compfomsse meaaetses - By those whose exef-
tons enacted them. When partners have liti-
gated questions nsialng In their former dealing.
and decree has besn rendered asserting the
true state Of their account would it be c0nsid
cred Insulting or unfair that, in opening new
books one should demand Of the other that the
decree should be accepted ~ the basis on which
they renew business! Would the answer be
considered satisfactory" You have your decree
enforce it if you can; but do not require an
ackno wledgment of its justice by compelling
me to assert that will abide by i'll" Had two
neighbors disagreed and referred their respective
claims to arbitrators, does the loser forfeit Dig
nifty by acknowledging the award, and renewing
business/upon the basis thereof! These homsIy
illustrp<ions point to the view we take OF the
prescott duties Of all patriots in this government.
TIM original compacts of the Constitution estab-
lished the terms of this confederacy, and consti-
tute the organic law of government. After a
series Of years, sectional disputes arose. and the
Missouri compromise was made to quiet contro
vsrsy relating to certain governmental powers
and constitutional questions.
It was faithfully executed by the United
States, and submitted to by the people of the
slaveholding States. After another series OF
years new acquisitions Of territory were made
new disputes arose touching the same pow
ers and the same questions. A new compromise
was made, whereby the balance Of power was
yielded by the slavsholding States, and the reins
of empire were delivered up to the free States
by the admission Of California into the Union.
The slave trade was suppressed in the District
Of Columbia, territorial governments were Gre
ated over the whole public domain, and an act
was passed to enforce the delivery Of fugitives
from LABOR. This settlement being made has
-.
slave tade in this District Look upon the op-
posite picture Reply to your own hearts. how
has the law for the delivery of fugitive slaves
beea executed We ask merely that the Wing
party shall not 90 behind this last settlement
that it shall nationaize itself by taking firm
and true position upon the finality OF this set
Element, and shall hold its members bound,
without regard to former opinions, to maintain
and enforce this settlement in good faith and
honestly. To this end we did desire the decla-
ration to this effect to come from the distin-
gu,f6d gentlemen who assembled in the CAPT
toll, vunder the hope that the country would en-
Enthusiastically respond to it. We have been dis
appointed in the realization of our wish, and
because of the effort we have been arraigned
by anonymous employees OF the press, and our
motives impugned by political leaders athwart
whose policy lies our own course and, as we
solemnly believe, the true direction for the pub.
lie good. What would be the effect of refus-
al to endorse the position we have assumed !?
What will be the result Of failure to respond
to the principle we have asserted Neither more
nor loss than the inglorous and deserved defeat
of the Wing candidate for the Presidency, be-
cause the platform of the party will be too
narrow for The patriotism of the people. They
will demand one as broad rs the interests of the
whole Union.
Should both of the great political parties fail
to shape future party organization upon the
enlarged and fair principle to which we invited
the Wing meeting at the Capitol on the 20th
inst, there remains but one other resort. The
people will demand such an organization, at the
expense of existing parties, and it will triumph
over both; or, msled by political leaders, whose
personal ambition rises above their love of coun
try, the people will become involved. in can
vass conducted by candidates whose parasites
will pander to sectional prejudices, and will seek
political preferment by arousng sectional pas
sions. The next Congress-, in that case, will
be composed of men of all parties pledged to
renew the agitation of questions which the slst
Congress closed with so much difficulty. The
result Of such struggle human foresight can
not compass. We have believed that intelligent
atatssmanship, by timely action and patriotic
effort, could avoid the trial and the catastrophe.
We made an honest effort to point the way. We
have now explained our motives and our con-
duet, and we confidently submit them for your
judgment.
The events Of the Congressional meeting of
the Goth of April, are Of significant import. II
does not become the undersigned to sugg est
your course in view Of them. Our object is
accomplished by inviting to them your immedi-
ate consideration, satisfied, as we are, that they
will awaken your serious reflection, and guide
you to such action as may be demanded by the
duties to the present and the hopes of the fu-
ture.
w. BROOKE. Mississippi.
JACKSON MORTON, Florida
JOHN MOORE, Louisiana.
HUMPHREY MARSHALL, Kentucky,
NJ p. GENTRY, Tennessee.
G. II. WILLIAMS, Tennessee.
f. c. CABELL, Florida.
DAVID OUTLAW, North Carolina.
]. ARISTIDE LANDRY, Louisiana.
JAMES f. STROTHER, Virginia.
concur fully in the statement of facts, as
we'll as the general positions of this address.
T. L. CLINGMAN, North Carolina.
Florida Indians.