The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-01-06
MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 1852
The Union and the States Rights democracy


and has long since forfeited, as the organ of the
Democratic party Of the United States
Before the retirement of the veteran RITcHIE. il
had lost that position; and lis successors have
sunk il deeper still into the slough OF despond,
and the mire of progressive" consolidation.
Until the printing matter is disposed of, it is
of course the cue of its conductors and con-
trollers to keep fair weather with every one who
pretends to the odor of Democracy to concate
all, and offend or ALLEVIATE none. This policy ii
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 most novel and
remarkable parallel, proving the identity of the
doctrines embodied in the Proclamation and
Force bill,and those oftbe 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 repe-
ttion OF the discussion on this point, which il
first prov oked, and then eyaded We took oc.
casion to show conclusveIy the federal doctrines
deliberately enunciated 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 InteHigencer
So clearly was this perceptible-so delighted
were the avowed disciples ofthose teachers with
this tribute, that the Unions article, like It's euo
gies on Dir. WEBSTER some time before, obtained
quite a run through the Wing papers Tie
Richmond Wing, the immediate echo of the
I'iteiligencer, gave it most conspicuous inser-
tion-and the joy that is inspired by re pentant
sinner, was lavished on the new convert to con.
solidation.
The course of the Union, while IFS old PAIL
NURUs was at the helm, gave offence to the great
mass of Southern Democrats, because of it,
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 il
was reserved to its new PALIKURUs, distinctly, de
lberately 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 that he 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 abomnable article was as |
sailed and its true character exposed, the Union,
after most feeble and trans parent attempt to
divert public attention and change the issue,
shirked and shufied 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 10 act the more'open
and more manly part, and 10 let the country
know where il now stands: Whether on the
broad basis of the Southern States Rights
School Of JEFFERSON and MADIsos-or on the
consolidation platform Of HAMILTON and WEE.
sTER.
As specimen Of the manner in which its
"new light" doctrines are received by the South
ern Democracy, as well as for its intrinsic merits,
weappend an editorial from the South Side Dem
coral, which echoes the voice Of Virginia
STATES RIGHTs-THE WAsHISGTos UNION.
Doubtless the Washington Union is devoted
sincerely 10 the interests Of the Democratic par
~. II labors with commendabe zeal TO recon. |
cile sectional hostiites and TO preserve the party
from factious dissensons. Beyond question,
the harmony Of the Democratic party Is of the |
utmost importance, but il is not worthy the sac. /
rifce of the cherished principles which consii. |
tute its distinct organization. la the ardent |
pursuit Of a praiseworthy object, the Union |
seems willing to abandon those original and es- |
sential doctrines which alone impart value to the
Democratic party. To appease the yorncious
appetite of consolidation, md TO hush lis dis |
cordant murmurs, the Union would immediate the |
sacred rights Of the States. The organization |
of the Democratic party is not an end, but
means for securing the triumphant recognition
in the admins tration Of the federal government
Of certain great principles OF political philosophy
And, IL 10 serve interested purposes-if TO re. |
cure the mere "a meut of official patronage,
the organization Ntbe party is perverted 10 lille
gitimste ends-if TO lull the cries of factious
dscortent, essential principles are Abandoned |
il the spirit Of the storm is TO be asyed by the |
sacrlfce oil The sacred cargo with which the ship |
is freighted, then is the attachment and allegiance
Of the best champions Of tie party forfeited
forever.
The Democratic party originated IN opposition /
70 the high federal measures Of the elder Adams /
The basis Of its organization was the rights Of
the States, and consolidation WIS the avowed !
object Of its ceaseless warfare. Herein consists
the essential Distinction between the Democratic
and all other political parties. Other measures
and tenets were comparatively triHing and |
ephemersl. Free-trsde and free currency wefe
subordinate objects Of pursuit--lhe great aim Of
the Democratic party was In establish upon an |
impregnable basis, the doctrine Of strict eonsfruc-
tiOn, and 10 preserve unimpaired the rights oil
he STATES BY universal consent, the resolu. |
tons Of '9S and 80 have been adopted as the
confession Of Democratic faith. The illustrious
men who are acknowledged as the authorized
expounders Of the Democratic creed, signalized
Il 4