The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-18

The New York Herald has a lengthy leader
on the present position of parties, from which
we give extracts. We do this merely to show
the light in which this reflector of independent
opinion ia New York city, throws the late
movements of the politicians in that city and
this. The Hsrafs speculations are always
characterised by much shrewdness and some
truth, though it will mar the effect of them by
blending clap trap with candor to catch the pop
ular ear. Thus in reference to the printing
matter, il repeats the stale slang of the coali-
tons about u combination between the Free
soilers and Secessionists to defeat the job. This
is the more inexcusable, because the vote shows
the statement to be untrue since the coalition
owed its defeat to other causes and combina-
tons We advise the Herald, before repeating
this nonsense, to read the unanswerable speech
of Mr.. FITcH, of Indiana, on this subject He,
Northern Compromise Democrat, was one of
the most unfinching opponents to the coalition,
and exposes the real character of that transac-
ton. We give the HeralPs political specula-
tons, to pass for what they may be worth. lie
hits hard on some sore spots :...'
THE GAME OF THE Two OLD PARTIES ON
THE CoMpRoMIsE-WHAT SAYS THE South
The light increases-the fog is clearing away
to the verge of the political horizon its land,
marks are becoming visible. The plan of the
campaign of 1852 already stands out in bold re-
lief. 1t i, too palbably manifest to be misner-
preted, that the compromise measures will be
completely lodged by both the Baltimore con-
ventions--that neither the Democrats nor the
Wings will have the moral courage to touch
them-that they will both 60 before the country
with the door wide open to the slavery agitation,
and that the great issue will not be the finality
of the slavery adjustment, but a contest between
the Wings and Democrats for abolition votes
and the plumber Of the public treasury.
| Now, what are the prospects Of Il recognition
of the binding effect Of the compromise meas
ures, BY the National Democratic Convention?
| They meet on the lst Of June. and the Wings
will thus have the advantage of their platform
az guide II The Democrats, then, evade the
compromise, and give it the go.by or lay it
under the table, the Wings will have all the ad-
vantages of doing the same thing Still it is
clear that the Democrats intend to dodge the
question. We have recently had some very
curious Developments on this subject, perfectly
satisfactory to us, that the Democratic convcn-
ton will be as dumb IA General Scott upon the
compromise measures, from a fatal HIistonccp-
ton of their true policy. "..'
Major Donelson, the late active editor of the
Washington Union, has just thrown up his in.
terest IN the concern, on the plea, that, "a the
advocate OF the compromise platform, his labors
have tended rather TO distract than to harmonic
the Democratic party. The plain English Of
The matter we suppose to be this -
MpJor Donelson was party to the recent ar.
rangement in Congress, by which the public
printing was to be taken away from the present
contractor, and given to the Union and the Re
public. But both these organs, standing upon
the compromise platform, were defeated or
mainly defeated, by a junction of Freesoilers
and Scccssionists, who do not recognize the
doctrines Of such oracles. The Southern Rights
Democrats were particularly determined to give
The Union the taste of little retaliation. So
they rppudiaIed il. and Indignantly made sport
Of IFS distress. Failing to harmonic the party
upon ite public printing, Major Donelson might
well despair Of ever uniting them upon the com
promise measures at Baltimore. lie was com
PEELED, therefore, either to abandon his princ.
pies or abandon his post. He preferred the al.
Tentative, and we think he has acted isely. The
prospect of any very profitable job of the pub
lie printing to the Union Office is slim, and dub-
Gus; and without government pay, daily party
organ in Washington is painfully losing con-
cern. Major Donelson, therefore, by leaving
the Union, gets rid Of his troubles. anxiety, and
hope deferred, and saves his principles, his char
acter, his credit, and bis money. But his re.
linquishment Of the Union simply means that,
as the advocate Of the compromise platform, he
l. L.. al IL al -. L
platform will be attempted at Baltimore.
What will the South do' Can tn, v, or will
they, after submitting TO the action Of both con.
ventions at Baltimore do anything to resist the
controlling influences Of the anti.slavery senti.
ment Of the North! Can they do anything but
submit, If both parties at Baltimore dodge the
fugitive question This Is the only vital ques-
ton Of the whole adjustment; for, while the
other parts Of Il cannot be disturbed, this may
be repealed, and the entire North made Ms open
and sife 10 fugitive slaves as Canada itself Let
the Democrats eyade this question, and without
gaining anything in the North, they will give
every advantage Of the dodge 10 General Scott
in the South, and. most probably, lose the elec.
/ ton, from the useless attempt 10 outbid Seward
| for Abolition votes. The true policy Of the
Democrats IL 10 recognise the binding fnalty Of
the fugitive slave law-that is the question: and
the true policy Of the South is 20 make il the
sine qua non in both the Baltimore conventions.
The Democratic party is pretty sound in the
North on slavery, except in the Wing States.
Let the Democrats adopt the fugitive slave law.
and IL they fail to bring Gen. Scott TO the mark,
they will get their usual Northern vote, and will
sweep the whole South. II they bring him to
it, they are Of least upon equal ground on this
| vital issue.
But we fear the plan OF the campaign Is
settled-ihat the Democrats are resolved TO
shirk the fugitive question TO coneiliate the
Northern Abolitionists; and that, in resolving
to sacrifice principles for plumber, they will be
beaten by the military candidate Of the Wing
party, North and South. II is manifest that
botl parties intend TO dodge the fugitive law,
| a law v hich hrs been already nullifed by a law
Of Vermont, and which is threatened with null.
/ fcation in Massachusetts, a bill to that effect
hayitg Just passed the popular branch Of Tie
legislature. II is manifest, we say, although the
repeal Of this fugitive act is the first object Of