Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-05-05
THE SrAUNTON SPECTATOR.
-s STAUNT0N:=
WEDNESDAY. MAY 5, 1859.
State of Parties-The Compromise

The signs of the times are omnous of important
and radical changes in the arrangement of political
parties in this country. Both the two great par
ties which have divided the people for many years
past, embarrassed by internal discussions, and
it is somewhat doubtful whether either will be "a
bic to maintainits distinct organization. With re
gard to the Wing party, we sincerely hope That
such result may not come to pass. We are cor
daily attached to its principles and to the men
who have been its chosen leaders-its very name
has possessed charm for us-and We are not pre-
pared to it split asunder and dissolved without
painful feelings. That all difficulties may be re-
moved and the party be enabled to stand together
once more, tremendously, on national platform,
is our most fervent wish.
The present state of affairs is particularly to be
deplored on account of the cause which has brought
it about. 1t is not mere question Of eXpedlency,
but a matter which threatens the peace and nteg-
rity of the Union. When the Compromise Meas
ures were first passed by Congress, they were
hailed by the people generally as final termina-
burnings and sectional animosties which had dis
turbed the country for years previous. Without
pausing to scrutinize closeyt the plan of adjustment
they gladly accepted it as on the whole fair and
just and calculated to accomplish the end propos-
ed. Very soon, however, it was found that the
passions and prejudces of men were not so easily
allayed. Instead of unanimously acquiescing in
the propriety of the measures and honestly endeav
oring to carry them out, dissatisfaction was mani
tested both at the North and the South. A disso-
luton of the Union was sought by one of the dis
affected parties, as mode of redress for the fan
cied wrongs inflicted upon them, while the other
party cried aloud for the repeal or modification of
one of the most important bills of the series. That
bill is the only one of the measures which can now
be successfully assailed-the others are beyond the
reach of agitation. The question presented in
reference to it seems to be, whether it shall
be maintained as fixed and permanent law, or be
considered as still open for discussion. Some North
ern members of Congress who voted for the bill,
say, indeed, that they oppose any declaration on
the subject, as tending to excite renewed agita-
ton. But an attempt to prevent such result by
ignoring the matter must prove futile. SO long as
| there are fanatics and demagogues at the North,
so long will the subject be kept before the people.
Suffer the doors of both political parties to be left
open for men of this description to enter, and each
party will, as matter of course, vie with the 9TH
er as to which shall secure the aid of the greater
number of them. Their passions and prejudices
will be pandered to, and their number increased.
The agitation thus encouraged must reach the
Halls of Congress, and the country will inevitably
be thrown back into worse condition than it was
before the adjustment measures were passed. Shut
the doors then, in the face of such men-keep them
out Of the pale Of both parties-and if the whole
faction does not become extinct, it will at least be
deprived of its power to do HARM
In the outset we alluded more particularly to
the dissensons among the Whigs,-the Demo-
Gratis encompassed by even greater difficulties
Their party is composed of no less than three dis
cordant elements, all of which must be harmonised
in some way before they can act consistently
together. How this is to be done, is more than
we can imagine. Perhaps, however, we are in err
ror in regarding the fight between them as trl-
angular affair, thesecession s. freeso wings having
long ago apparently united their forces to accom-
pliSh common purpose.