The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-27
F-Om the Bal im0re .dD,erican.
SectiOnalism and Secessiontsm.

lhe two great parties Of the country claim
ing to be national, and contending for the pow
or OF administering the Government according
to their respective views of constitutional prlu-
ciples, present themselves Just now before the coun-
try in attitudes as extraordinary they humili-
at'ng They arc both making obeisanccs 10 outside
iaotions-to factions that contemn the Constitution
and it's compacts the one hand, aud denounce
aud Willy the Union on the other. Soctionaism at
the North derides the Compromise, bfcause of the
law it establishes for the enforcement of a consu
tutional obligation respecting fugitives from labor;
while SecesSionism at the South declares hostility
to the same Compromise, Jscause-but there we
stop; we do not know any None is alleged
that we are aware OF; none can be imu gined 80 far
as our conJectures go-unless a general desatis-
faction with the Union be presumed and DISPOSE
ton TO break it up upon any pretex even the most
absurd.
lfobjccts short Of such contamination arc con
templatcdif political ascendancy ia the thing
aimed at-if the leaders of the South for the sake
of political triumph, are willing to lay aside an
other considerations-consider due 10 their
own vital interests rights and safety SO that they
may combine together all the element OF opposition
against Administration which has stood bv
them in the hour of peril, and against a measure
which fastcns them and their institutions TO the
gers certain and mminent--t then il is time to be-
ieve that iniatuation rules the hour and that be.
sotted folly has obtained control over the coupscls
OF men once sensible and obscivant.
What spectacle Is here presented, When any
one speaks OF the Compromise Of 1850, he means the
reclamation law, the law providing for the enforce
ment Of that compact of the Constitution which de-
clares that fugtives from labor escaping from ono
State into another State shall be subject TO re-
clamation, notwithstanding any laws that may cx-
Isl in the latter State. III other measures of the
Compromise series are either completely executed
and beyond repeal, or they relate to matters CON
cernipg which there ID no controversy. The Com
promise, then, as it now stands; the Compromise,
as it atests and renews the solemn pledge of tiJe;
ty on the part OF the North to the compact entered
into by our fathers in the formation of the const
tuition for the recognition and protection of south
ern rights; the Compromise, thus pre- eminentIv n
southern measure, and deemed by the South india
pensable to the series OF measures TO which il was
attached and essential to harmonious ad ius,ment
OF the sectional controversy then raging; the Com.
promise, sustained and enforced by MIR. Fillmore
and his Administration in the face of bitter hos
uhty-is abandoned if not BETRAYED by the nromi
nent leaders OF both parties in the South who show,
more anxiety to conciliae the favor and securo the
votes of the northern enemies of the ineasure than
TO stand by their own constitutional rights, and
strengthen the hands OF the northern friends of the
measure who advanced TO its support as a forlorn
hope, and secured it's triumph at the risk of their
own political safety
The Democrats of the South in their State Con.
this great yindicaton Of southern rights and consd
tuuonal obligation. Is it because they fear TO alien.
ate MIR. Van Buren, and his follower? The Con-
gressiVal Wing caucus, presided over by a south.
ern Senator, hnds 1t c1pedicnt, il would seem 10
rule out the Compromise from its deliberations
Did the caucus, and that southern Senator and
other southern leaders who went with him dr,sd
10 lose the favor and the votes of Mr. Seward and
hIs faction! If these things be So il would be let
ter, We respectfully suggest for both OF the conyen
tons that are To meet in this city in June Ia nd
Journ at once upon assembling and go TO BuG,lo.
Let them not pretend 10 a nationality which thew
snow themselves go incompetent to maintain; LEI
them sbatcr their platforms, and use the disman-
tied wrecks for fuel 10 kindlc the fires of that sacr
nee at which the rights of the South, the suprema
cy of the Consttution, and the integrity of the
Union, arc TO be offered up the shrine of srctio,
alsm; for it lie 10 sectonalism that thew succun,,
and yield the tribute OF obedience
The country will hardly allow itself 10 no 40.
cciycd upon this point Men Of the South Of all
parties cannot but ask themselves Shall VIC allow
our political actions 10 be controlled, and the cx
prosson OF our political opinions be suppressed
b. iapatical body Of socionalists at the North,
hostile TO US in the extreme. and who will avail
themselves OF the concession thus yielded 10 adj.
vance more cxofbitant demands, Shall we ogrr
encouragement to Abotionism, by thus tacitly
acknowledging it's strength and our own dread Of
III How can We suppose Otherwise than that tho
whole North-evcry non slave holdinr state-wiu
hasten TO occupy ground which we shall have
demonstrated to be, politically, so strong andtorn-
manding! These conclusions force Themselves into
view; nor can they be kept out of the sight of the
public. no matter how pcrsevcringly the polid
cians, no DO not wish to see them may pcrsist in
binding Themselves.
The Wing caucus, or those southern leaders who
sustain its course, announce 60 Mr.. Fillmore aud
Mr.. Webster, and through them to the whole coun
try, now and hcnccfOrth that whenever n northern
.nan shall be found bold enough aud patriotic
enough to incur the risk Of odium at home i'm t,c
support OF constitutional principle which ACQUIRES
The rights and the safety Of the South be must not
only do II ut bis peril tut with the assurance
beforehand that those whom he bclricnds will aban
don BIN without scrupie 10 the tender mercics of
hose whom he he's offended for their ca Ike and for
his dut cake; and that thy will thus dcsert hm
when they might uphold bin, aud when they
ihlEbt make ms cause triumphant with their own;
showing gratitude for services done 10 them. and
rendering manly acknowledgement Tor services
done to the country.
The country, we doubt rot, will take note orthis
Wdual announcements Seldom hes il happened
IN our political history that men were go peculiar
~ identified with = cause az Mcssrs Fillmore aud
Webster arc az this time with the cause of the
Souih-not bccauso il is tho cause II the South but
because IL ia the cause Of the Constitution nlso II
not with scciionalism that they sand-but
against sectonaiism; and while they dcsorvc the
especial gratitude OF the South for their b,ld and
earnest efforts in behalf Of The rights of that portion
Of tbe Mon, they merit The admiration Of Inc whole
country for their abors and sacrifices in bchaIfof
the Union itself
OLD PofNT CoMFoRT- We are plad T., learn
That the cnterprising and energetic propieiora of
tins fashionable summer resort arc actively en-
gaged IA preparing for the reception and accom-.
notation OF visitors during the ncxt season. II is
ii