Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1852-02-21
The Latest EXDOUnderS.

A philosophic review of the Scriptural miracles
would we think, lead to the conclusion that they
are not so much departures from what are consid-
cred the general laws of nature, as combinations
of them. One of the most remarkable and pecu-
liar of the miracles is the confusion of tongues
and the dispersion from the tower of Babel. Yet,
we think the tendency to confusion of tongues and
dispersion has always marked the attempts Of the
several human tribes to create a great consolida-
ton or centralism like that tower which concen-
trated the labor of the race soon after the flood,
under the pretence of afordlng it a refuge from
similar vistations in future--a tower which, in
such a recurrence, could have accommodated but
a very few of the community.
Now, we think we are threatened in this coun-
try with another confusion of tongues The Con-
stitution has, from the first been a theme of dis
pute between the two parties that differed on the
degree of the consolidation or diffusion of political
power. After the first grand dispute ragged for
while, the country pretty generally agreed to the
exposition known as the Resolutions of '98. But
no sooner had this acquiesence become general,
than the meaning of the exposition itself began to
be disputed And now, after a great deal of con
troyersy, we have a couple of classes OF common
taors as wide the poles assunder, in their expo
sition of the exposition. The most noisy claim to
be of the faith ofJeterson, Madison, and Jackson,
has recently been put forth. |, assumes that the
Proclamation is the latest authorized interpreta-
ton of '98. Gen. Jackson the signer, and
Mr.. Webster the champion, on its appearance, of
that celebrated document But that paper was
pretty generally repudiated by those who were left
of the old Republican party of '98. Mr.. Ran
dolph, Mr.. Tazewe in fact, the principal states
man of Virginia and South Carolina, and there
was a large party of the old leayen of '98 in Ken
lucky by Senators Bibb and Rowan, that all dis
avowed it. Mr., Webster, however, stood firmly
up TO it, and proclaimed himself under an October
sun in Richmond, in $40, Jefers0nian Demo
crat. MIR. Clay also took the same side-so did
Mr. Benton. We publish, to-day, a letter of his,
Just written to a St. Louis meeting and also IN
serta letter from Senator Clemens TO friend in
Alabama These letters proclaim exterminating
political war against those who do not subscribe to
the p oclamation's construction Of the Resolutions
of '98.
Now, this curious combination of political doc
tors agrees only in about one thlng-in hostility
to the Southern Republican party. Messrs Glenn
lens, Foote and Cobb, are associated with party
chiefly of Wings, contending for the doctrines OF
Jackson, against a party chiefly of Democrats -
contending in company with certain prominent
Wings in the South, who denounced the Procla-
nation of General jackson, at the time entirely
too federal for them. And this party cannot unite
with, but renounces the special party OF Mir. Web
ster, the. great champion of the Proclamation.
Nor can either of these unite with Mr.. Ben
the Compromise and adopted a course which both
considered destructive of the Union. All these
three parties, however, of Northern Wings, Dem
ocratic Freesoers, and Southern Union men pro-
claim implacable and eXterminating war against
the Southern Republicans. Well, We suppose thai
this war involves the continuance of agitation on
: the SECTIONAL slavery and compromise questions
and hope the responsibility will be adjusted ac
cordingly.
: For our part, whilst we have not expected thi:
was to cease, we did not propose to excite it
t When the Compromise measures passed Congress
we supposed that, according to the previous dec
larations of the Southern States, the Constitution
was violated, and the rights of those States out
ragged. Many of joined in the appeal to th'
States to exert their rghtful powers of self-preser
I vation and to resist the assault When they re
fused or declined, were bound, according to al
our principles of allegiance to the States to fore
e 90 resistance also Wenever advocated rebellion
e or insurrection attempt to resist without o
n against the authority of the several States wou
: have been.
e And although we thought and still think, tha
: the Union party III the South had committed grea
g error in supporting the Compromise or submitting
n to it, we did not propose to wage with them wa
;, of determination. They proposed to submit, be
g cause it was the act of the federal government
/ we abstain from resistance because the States hav
;, each resolved to abstain. And, although We thin
it is rather ridiculous for a Union party OF thre
States to hold national convention, we think ths
o party acted with some consistency, and prudence
o and patriotism in dissolving its connexion wit
y the Northern Wings, on whom it could not rely
support even the Compromise, much less the Geol
. gia platform.
The truth is, that the very separation of partie
IN which the Compromise has caused, separate
'e deemed necessary to preserve the Compromlst
n and prevent further aggressions, has vindicate
&c the course of the Southern Republicans. But II
y stead of invoking the legitimate organized ress
ae ance of the States they resort to that of fras
nG nc ments ofparty. Hence there are in fact five pa
u ties, the Freesoi, Wing, Democratic, Union an
,e Republican, and our practical political system, il
he stead of being federal one, composed OF State
ef is sort of federation of FIVE parties none of Ghe
strong enough to rule, but all dependent on con
st, pacts with one or more Others to get into powe
IS As for the assumption of Messrs Webster Be
es ton Foote, Clemens, & Co. to be genuine expos
tors of the Constitution and of the 98 Resolution
it because they are believers in the Proclamatio
ct that is as preposerous their association of
RS and as futile as any attempt to put down the
Tor publican party.-So Press.
lc- The Wings of North Carolina hold State Go
es, venton at Raleigh, on the 26th Of April,
)e- nominate for Governor, and send delegates to