The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-01-25


We had no entered upon our duties as editor
OF the Washington Union Than the Southern Press lev
eed its batteries upon u.s. denying political orho-
doxy. because urged upon the democratic party TO
cease all controversy abou, the Compromise and unite
again the platform which ii had sustained Jefferson
Madison, Jackson, and Polk Resistance 10 the legis.
laion OF the past Congress the cardinal point in
sisted upon by that press and omitted to
urge South Carolina TO put into practical execution
the doctrne OF secession explained by Messs Cheves
and Rhett To acquiesce in that legislation was de-
nounced cowardIy submission TO the abolilioniss
the two old parties OF the Union decried ncom
petent to heal the wounds which had been inflicted on
the South and remedies tolerated except such
as to be brought forward by southern Congress-
to be assembled for the purpose OF concerning those
dies and with the understanding that they were to be
recognised BY the constitutional authorities OF the land,
that there would be formal disruption OF the Union
There is not candid mind acquainted with the discus
sons which maintained the subject that will not
bear witness thai, in opposing such extreme measures.
we have dsclamed all other issues for the democratic
party than those by which il has heretofore been content
TO test lis claims to the confidence and support OF the
people. II was not material 10 whether the compro-
mise measures had been opposed in whole in part or
whether southern politicians acted wisely or unwisely in
their votes upon the particular provisions OF those meas
ures, whilst they the subjec, OF legislative conside
ration Our position was, that, having become laws, the
resistance proposed by the Nashville convention could
not be justified, and could be sanctioned by any OF
the recognised principles usages OF the democratic party
Organizations however proceeded in many portions OF the
South in accordance with the suggestions of the Southern
Press candidates brought out to carry into execution
the scheme OF resistance and middle ground was left for
those who dssented from this scheme No, 10 be in the
ranks OF the party thus organized under the name OF
southern rights TO incur the charge OF being allied
10 the free soiler and aboonsi. or what was deemed
equally Objectionable cderalist and consoldatonist
II was in vain that pleaded the sufcency Of the old
doctrines OF the democratic party. The Southern Press
and its allies in the South demanded the sacrifice OF that
party and they joined here by the organs OF the
present administration and by the National Era which
was behind none OF them in giving effect to accusations
intended to force organization OF parties each
preserving the terms OF self consistency, but all uniting
in any argument that would give force to movements
INST the followers OF Jefferson Madison and Jackson
SO long as they avowed themselves democrats Such
was the state Of the relations between The Washington
Union and all the other leading papers OF this city during
the elections OF the past year. These elections termi-
mated by The return of large majority OF democrats 10
Congress, and by the most decisive condemnation in all
portions of our Union of the sentiment which proposed
resistance TO the Compromise, any resort TO extra.
constitutional MEANS in order 10 quiet The agItalons
which had been engeudercd by the slavery question.
was 10 have been expected that the Southern Press
after being beaten all IFS ground. would have been
content to acquesce in the verdict Of the people but in
stead OF doing it seeks new controversy under
the petence that the union Of the democratic party has
been effected at the expense Of State rights which will
no, be until u, construction of the Virginia resou
lions OF i7os.'9a is adopted, Its first position was that
no democrat could acquiesce in the Compromise but
now tina, nearly all the disciples Of that school, including
especially those Of Virginia, have rejected the deluson
which prompted extreme pervesion Of their duties
Il shifts the ground and demands The democratic party to
put in issue before the people the question OF secession
and amongst the reasons assigned for this arrogant dca
ton TO the democratic party is the unfounded allegation