The southern press., 1852-01-05
MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1852
The Union and the states Rights Democracy

AVsAoONa"uS P0Asy VI t"u Chl'" ''e''
Before the retirement of the veteran RlTcHE, j
had lost that position; and Lis successors hav'
sunk it tdeepsr still into the slough Of despond
and the mire of progressive" consolid .tion.
Until the printing matter is disposed of, il il
of course the cue Of its conductors and con
troers to keep fair weather with every one who
pretends to the odor of Democracy TO conciliate
all, and offend or ALLEVIATE none This policy il
has pursued with great care and caution, until in
an unguarded hour the ex secretary of General
JACKSON favored the public with portion of his
personal "reminiscences, and a most novel and
remarkable parallel, proving the identity OF the
doctrines embodied in the Proclamation and
Force bill and those ofthe Virginia and Kentucky
Resolutions. We took occasion to produce the
proofs of the real views and purposes Of the
organ, and to challenge continuance or a repe-
titon of the discussion on this point, which it
first provoked, and then evaded. We took oc.
casion to show conclusivey the federal doctrines
deliberately enuncated by the Union as consti-
tuting the basis of the Democratic creed, and its
apology for doctrines which JACKSON himself
was compelled by the Democratic sentiment of
his day to explain away--in short, its entire
adhesion to the consolidation and anti. State
Rights doctrines of DANIEL WEBSTER and the
National Intellgencer
So clearly was this perceptible---so delighted
were the avowed disciples ofthose teachers with
this tribute, that the Unions article like its cuo-
gies on Mr.. WEBSTER some time before, obtained
quite run through the Wing papers. The
Richmond Wing, the immediate echo Of the
Intelligencer, gave it a most conspicuous inser-
tion-and the JOY that is inspired by a repentant
sinner, was lavished on the new convert to con-
solidation.
The course of the Union, while its old PAIL
NuRus was at the helm, gave offence to the great
mass of Southern Democrats, because of its
abandonment of the strong States Rights
ground, and failure to assert and vindicate the
reserved rights of the States against the en-
croachments of numerical majority. But it
was reserved to its new PALIKURUs, distinctly, de
liberately and openly to preach up principles in
direct antagonism and denial of them, assum-
ing the authority Of General JAcKsos's once
potential name, as spell to awe all opponents
into silence But the recoil of his own engine
terrified the engineer. He dreaded thathe might
be "hoisted on his own petard," and like Col,
LINs' picture of Fear:
"Back recoiled, he knew not why,
Even at the sound himself had made
AS soon as that abominable article was as
sailed and its true character exposed, the Union,
after a most feeble and transpare attempt to
divert public attention and change the ISSUE
shirked and shuffled out of the difficulty, and
has preserved most discreet silence on the whole
matter since the first chapter of its revelations
having been the last
We call upon the Union to act the more''open
and more manly part, and to let the country
know where it now stands: Whether on the
broad basis of the Southern States Rights
School of JEFFERSON and MADIsoN-or on the
consolidation platform of HAMILTON and WEE
sTER.
AS specimen of the manner in which its
"new light" doctrines received by the South
ern Democracy, as well as for its intrinsic merits
we eappend an editorial from the South Side Dem
ocrat, which echoes the voice of Virginia.
STATES RIcHTs-THE WASHINGTON UNION.
Doubtless the Washington Union is devoted
sincerely to the interests of the Democratic par.
ty. It labors with commendable zeal to recon.
cile sectional hostties, and to preserve the party
from factous dissensions. Beyond question,
the harmony of the Democratic party is of the
utmost importance, but it is not worthy the sac.
riice of the cherished principles which cons,-
tute it's distinct organization. In the ardent
pursuit of a praiseworthy object, the Union
seems willing to abandon those original and es.
sental doctrines which alone impart value to the
Democratic party. To appease the voracious
appetite of consolidation, End to hush its dis
cordant murmurs, the Union would immediate the
sacred rights of the States. The organization
Of the Democratic party is not an end, but
in the admins tratiOn of the federal government,
of certain great principles of political philosophy
And, if to serve interested purposes-if to So
cure the mere enjoyment of official patronage,
the organization Of the party is perverted to lille.
gitimate ends--if to lull the cries Of factous
discomfort, essential principles are abandoned
if the spirit of the storm is to be allayed by the
sacrifice of. the sacred cargo with which the ship
is freighted then is the attachment and allegiance
of the best champions of the party forfeited
forever
The Democratic party originated in opposition
to the high federal measures of the elder Adams
The basis of its organization was the rights of
the States, and consolidation was the avowed
object of its ceaseless warfare. Herein consists
the essential dietinction between the Democratic
and all other political parties Other measures
and tenets were comparatively trihing and
ephemeral. Free-trade and free currency were
subordinate objects of pursuit-the great aim of
the Democratic party was to establish upon an
impregnable basis, the doctrine of strict construc-
tion, and to preserve unmpaired the rights of
the States. By universal consent, the resolu.
tions of '98 and '99 have been adopted as the
confession Of Democratic faith The ulustrious
men who are acknowledged as the authorized
expounders of the Democratic creed, signalized
their political career by hostility to federalism;
and devotion to State Rights This assertion
suggests tc the mind the names and services of
Jefferson, Madison, Randolph and Macon and
others of equal renown. The latest, and we had
almost said the greatest of Democratic Presi-
dents, James X Polk, was earnest and ardent in