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


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-
markabe and peculiar of the miracles, Is the
confusion of tongues and the dispersion from
the tower of Babel Yet, we think the ten
deucy TO confusion of tongues and dispersion
has always marked The attempts Of the several
human tribes 10 create great consolidation or
centralism like that tower which concentrated
the labor of the race soon after the food, under
the pretence of atfordng it a refuge from SINH
lar vsitations in future-a tower which, in such
a recurrence, could have accommodated but
very few of the community.
Now, we think, we are threatened in this
country with another confusion OF tongues.
The Constitution has, from the first, been
theme of dispute between the two parties that
differed on the degree of consolidation or diltu.
sion of political power. After the first 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 TO be disputed. And
now, after great deal of controversy we have
q couple of classes Of commentators as wide us
tie 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 49, Gen. Jackson was the signcr,
ard Mr.. WEBSTER The champion, on its APP
pearance, of that celebrated document But that
paper was pretty generally repudiaied by those
who were left of The old Republican purity of
'98. Mr. RANDOLPH, MIR. TAZEwELL, in fsct,
the principal statesmen Of Virginia and South
Carolina, ard there was large party of the old
leaven of '9s in Kentucky, led by Senators
BIBB and Rowan, that all disavowed ii. Mr.
WEBSTER, however, stood firmly up to it, and
proclaimed hin self, under an October sun in
Richmond, in 1910, a JEFFERsoNlAk Democrat.
Mr.. CT Ay also took the same side--so did Mr.
Benton. We publish, TO. day, letter of hi1
just written toa 81. Louis meeting; and also in
sert letter from Senator CLEMENS TO friend
in Alabama These letters proclaim exter.
minating political war against those who do
not subscribe TO the Proclamaons construc-
ton of the Resolutions of '9S.
Now, this curious combination of political
doctors agrees only in about one thng-in hos
tlity TO the Southern Republican party Messrs
CLEMENS, FOoTE and COBB are associated with
party chiefly of Wings, contendirg for the doc.
trines of JACKSON, against party chiefly Of
Democrats :--contendng in company with GER
tain prominent Wings in the South, who de-
nounced the Proclamation of General JACKSON
at Tie time as entirely too federal for them
And this party cannot unite with, but renounces
the special party of Mr.. WEBSTER, the great
champion of the Proclamation. Nor can either
of these unite with Mr. BEEToN's party of Mis-
souri Freesoilism, for he opposed the Compro-
mise and adopted course which both consider
ed destructive of the Union All these three
parties, however, of Northern Wings, of Dem
ocratc Freesoilers and Southern Union men
proclaim implacable and extermirating 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
billty will be adjusted accordingly
For our part whilst we have not expected
this was to cease, we did not propose to excite
il. When the Compromise measures passed
Congress we supposed that, according TO The
1..l & IN O.
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 al our principles ofallegance to the
States, to forego resistance, also. We never
advocated rebellion or instruction; as an 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
a great error in supporting the Compromise OF
subm ittng TO it. we did not propose TO wage
with them war of determination. They pro.
POSED to 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 connexion 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 vindcatec
the course of the Southern Republicans. But in
stead of invoking the legitimate organized resist
ance of the States, they resort to that of frar
ments of party. Hence there are in fact fv,
parties, the Freesoil, Wing, Democratic, Unior
and Republican, and orr nractichl political que