The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-06-21

And in no ballot has the change been greater
This is perhaps without parallel in politics.
The most important and decisive indication
in all this balloting is that the Wing party is
sectionally and rreconciably divided. For eve
ry vote that General ScoTT has received is from
the North except five or six from Delaware and
Virginia Every vote Mr.. FILLMORE has re-
ceived is from the South except about twenty.
And Mr. WEBsTER's vote is from the North.
This sectional division is on the slavery
question: because on no other is the North and
South so divided And this is the condition 70
which the party is reduced, that took the lead
on the Compromise.
1t is true that before this balloting commenced
the Convention adopted Compromise pla.-
form by an overwhelming vote--only sixty in
the negative. But the subsequent voting on
the practical question, the nomination. shows the
ambiguity and hypocrisy of platforms. For tie
principal objection urged against Gen. ScoTT is
his alleged infdelity to the Compromise, or
connection with its opponents. What beaut-
full prospect this presents for pacifying the agi-
tati0n on slavery One of the two great parties
of the country almost equally divided on the
peace measures, and each determined TO pro-
scribe the other.
The Democratic party is rather more lucky
at present in being divided into three parties in.
stead of tw6--having Freesoilers, CompFomi-
sers and Fire eaters--and hence could make a
real compromise by nominating candidate from
the middle class But it is remarkable that,
notwithstanding forty eight attempts, this party
part in the passage of the Compromise
as if il had been the thing it is claimed to be-
wise, just and pacili; scheme--there ought 10
be no end to the popularity of fla immediate
contrivers and supporters.
The Freeeoil segment of the Democratic
party openly repudiates the platform, whilst
avowing adherence TO the nominee. Aud thus
with three distinct classes of men, the Demo
cratic Freesoilers, the Wing Freesoilers, and
the Abolitionists--who have nominated JOHN
p. HALE and CAssIUs NJ. CLAY-al strongly
represented in Congress, and all voting together
for aggression on the South she is trying to
hug the phantom of tranquility, and putting her
trust in party and in platforms.
The simple struggle for patronage of fifty
millions per annum, and fifty thousand off.
ces, might be expected to DO severe and pro-
tracted. In precise proportion, however, TO its
intensity from the action Of ambition and ava.
rice, it is liable to be exasperated by the inter-
ventlon of fanatcism, or of any other sentiment
that moves the minds of multitudes. All opin-
ions seek for mastery and rebel at the restraint,
much more the prescription, which their co-exis
tence imposes on each other. With such dis
cordant forces now at work in the popular mind,
and acting on the ballot-box for victory and
such enormous spois, this country is destined
TO see nothing but agitation in time to come.
When the various factions rise and rage around
weak administration, the solution of immediate
difficulty will probably be sought in foreign war.
Twenty-Five years of peace have, it is true, been
enjoyed at time by the civilized world, but
that waa period of recruit from previous ex-
haustion in Europe, and with us it was struggle
of young people against the wilderness We
are now strong and feel our strength. A dis
tempered activity has been manifested for the
last twenty five years by US, in party and sec
tiona contests, and it is difficult to see how,
with no higher grade of principle pervading the
country, we can long avoid til catastrophe of
foreign conflict or intestine commotion