The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-02

that they are not so much departures from what
are considered the general laws of nature, as
combinations Of them. One Of the most re-
markable and peculiar of the miracles, is the
confusion Of tongues and the dispersion from
the tower Of Babel Yet, we think the ten
depcy to confusion of tongues and dispersion
has always marked the attempts of the several
human tribes TO create great consolidation or
centralism like that tower which concentrated
the labor of the race soon after the food, under
the pretence of affording it a refuge from SINH
lar visitations in future-a tower which, in such
a recurrence, could have accommodated but a
very few of the community.
Now, we thiHk, we are threatened in this
country with another confusion of tongues.
The Constitution has, from the first, been a
theme of dispute between the two parties that
differed on the degree of consolidation or dllu-
sion of political power After the frat grand
dispute ragged for while, the country pretty
generally agreed to the exposition known as the
Resolutions of '98. But no sooner had this ac-
quiescence become general, than the meaning Of
the exposition itself began 10 be disputed. And
now, after great deal of controversy, we have
couple of classes Of commentators as wide us
the poles asunder, in their exposition Of the ex.
position. The most noisy claim TO be Of the
faith of JEFFERSON, MADISON, and Jackson,
has recently been put forth. 1t assumes that
the Proclamation is the latest authorized inter-
probation of '98. Gen. Jackson was the signer,
ard Mr.. WEBSTER the champion, on its APP
penrance, of that celt brated document But that
paper was pretty generally repudaed by ttost
who were left of The old Republican party OF
'98. Mr.. RANDoLru, Mr.. TAzEwELL, in feet,
the principal statesmen of Virginia and South
Carolina, ard there was large patty of the old
leaven of '98 in Kentucky, led by Senator's
BIBB and Rowan, that all disavowed it, Mr..
WEBSTER, however, stood firmly up to it, and
proclaimed hin self, under an October sun in
Richmond, in l84O a JEFFERsokIAN Democrat.
Mr.,CIAY also took the same side--so did Mr..
BENTON. We publish, oday, letter of hi4,
just written toast. Louis meeting; and also in
sert letter from Senator CLEMENS to friend
in Alabama. These letters proclaim exter-
mnating political war against those who do
not subscribe TO the Proclamation's construc-
ton of the Resolutions of '98.
Now, this curious combination Of political
doctors agrees only in about one thing--in hos
tility the Southern Republican party. Messrs.
CLEMENS, FooTE and COBB are associated with
a party chiefly of Wings, contending for the doc
trines Of JACKSON, against party chiefly of
Democrats :-contending in company with GER
lain prominent Wings in the South who de-
nounced the Proclamation of General JACKSON,
at tie time us entirely too federal for them.
the special pnrty of Mr.. WEBSTER, the great
champion of the Proclamation. Nor can either
of these unite with Mr.. BEKToNs party of Mis-
sour Freesoilism, for be opposed the Compro-
mise and adopted a course which both consider
ed destructive of the Union. All these three
parties, however, of Northern Wings, of Dem
ocratic Freesoilers, and Southern Union men
proclaim implacable and extermratng war
against the Southern Republicans. Well, we
suppose that this war involves the continuance
of agitation on the sectional, slavery and com.
promise questions-and we hope the response
bity will be adjusted accordingly.
For our part, whilst we have not expected
this was to cease, We did not propose to excite
it. When The Compromise measures passed
Congress we supposed that, according to the
previous declarations of the Southern States, the
Constitution was violated, and the rights of those
States outraged. Many of us joined in the appeal
to the States to exert their rightful powers of
self-preservation, and to resist the assault.
When they refused or declined, we were bound,
according to all our principles ofallegiance to the
States, to forego resistance, also. We never
advocated rebellion or instruction; as nm at.
tempt to resist without or against the authority
of the several States would have been.
And, although we thought, and still think
that the Union party in the South had committed
great error in supporting the Compromise or
subm itting to it, we did not propose to wage
with them war of determination They pro-
Tosedto submit, because it was the act of the
federal government--we abstain from resistance
because the States have each resolved to abstain.
And, although we think it is rather ridiculous
for Union party of three States to hold ma
tiOnal convention, we think that party acted with
some consistency and prudence, and patriotism,
in dissolving its connexon with the Northern
Wings, on whom it could not rely to support
even the Compromise, much less the Georgia
platform.
The truth is, that the very separation of parties
which the Compromise has caused, separation
deemed necessary to preserve the Compromise,
and prevent further aggressions, has indicated
the course of the Southern Republicans. But in
stead OF invoking the legitimate organized resist
ance of the States, they resort to that of frao.
ments of party. Hence there are in fact five
parties, the Freesoil, Wing, Democratic. Union
and Republican, and orr nraetc.l ro,;,;,