The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-04
For The Southern Press.
Relics Of Scraps and Musings.
No. rs.
"THE HEALING MEASURE"


Relies Of Scraps and Musings.
No. rs.
"THE HEALING MEASURE"
! The healing measures of the compromise, SO
far from 'giVing peace to this distracted coun-
! try," seems destined TO produce confusion
worse coniounded." The efficacy of this great
quack nostrum having been brought to an issue
in the Wing caucus at Washington, as dose
which was to cure the disorders of the country,
was rejected as being Out Of order, What seems
! still more strange, the Wing members from the
South, who in the early stages of its progress
most bitterly opposed that measure, are now
the most strenuous advocates and supporters of
lis fnalty, by which is meant, not that il shall
come TO speedy end, but that it shall last for
ever. II is as clear IS daylight that neither the
Wings or Democrats of the North dare commit
themselves TO any portion of the compromise,
but that of which the South most complains as
an infringement of the constitutional equality
and rights of the States, and that they will not,
and cannot be brought to pledge themselves in
behalf of the fugitive slave law, which the South
clings to like the drowning man catching at a
straw, already sunk or sinking. Both parties at
The North know very well that such pledge
would be fatal to either one that should give it,
and hence the silence of General ScoTT, whose
orthodoxy on this point is only vouched for by
Dir. STAKLY, who merely pledges himself and
not his principles. As TO the Democratic NOM
inee, ! have no doubt he will give Elenty OF
pledges, which will be like the advice Of the
old Sybil of Panyoust, when consulted by an
honest man who wanted wife but was fearful
of consequences. The "old Fogie" discreetly
answered
"Before you act be sure to fast,
n ker what shall be, was never past.
! Say, unsny, gainsay, bot save your breath,
Then wait at once her life and death
Take or not take her.
The story goes that the poor gentleman was
sadly puzzled by the oracle, and finally deter.
mined TO consult dumb man, whose refusal TO
make any response whatever, was considered
quite satisfactory
! The position in which the South has been
placed by its own want Of concert, decision and
frmness, is that Of an owl between hawk and
buzzard, or more appropriately, an honest sim.
pie clodhopper between two rogues, one wills
pering promises in bis ear, the other picking his
pocket with the intention Of knocking him down
Afterwards. Cannot the wise men ofthe South
Ito whom those Of the East can't hold can.
dle-see that both parties-all parties in the
NORTH, are only aboring TO wheedle them into
The support Of n Presidential candidate, who,
when they have assisted 10 elcc,ng him, will
/ turn out a mere instrument Of the Abolitionists
and Freesoilers But Il may he asked what
shall ihey-what can they do The question is
difficult Of solution. What they have already
done has in great measure rendered all future
action migratory, and 10 my opinion the best
course they can take for the PRESENTS TO do
nothing.
EGBTs on me SOUTH.
There is party at The North calling them.
selves "the friends Of the constitutional rights
of the South" Where is it-what is IL! Is
il Wing OF Democratic Is il TO be, found
among those who are, or pretend to be con
tented with Whit they have got by violating
the constitutional equality OF the States, OF
those who refuse 20 sanction the fnalily of N,
compromise, because it stands in the Nay o.
future spoliations know Of no party in tn,
North, that at this moment has any other object
than that Of ,lecting It's nominee for President
whoever he may BE-, either by eoaxiog The Souti
into co operation, or splitting il into factions
that win neutralize each other Were il posi-
bic for the two Southern parties 10 unite, they
! would at this moment be in position, If not {,
chose their own candidate, nj least TO defea
any one they pleased. But this 8, ems impossi
: bic, and those who cannot, or will not bell
themselves, must trust to Providence.
RESISTANCE AND SECESSION.
great exponnder o. the Constitution har
attempted to draw a distinction between IN,
right Of resistance, or revolution, and that O
pesceable secession, the former Of which h,
considers justifable In extreme cases, the latte
reasonable Yet both are founded on the sam
right and involve the same principle, as will ar
pear from the following exemplifcation.
The thirteen British colonies of North Amer
lea, though not equal constituent parts OF Grea
Britain, were portions Of her political system
possessing certain rights and being bound b
certain obligations TO the mother country. Fo
J, causes they deemed sufficient TO Justify thei
i course, they declared themselves independent
J. and seeded from that great body polite o
which they had for ages formed part. Now
aceordng TO Mr.. WEBsTER's distinction, ha,