The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-03

A philoeophic review Of the Sciptura mira.
cles would, we think, lead to the conclusion
that they are not 30 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.
dency to confusion of tongues and dispersion
has always marked the attempts Of the several
human tribes TO create great consolidation OF
centralifm like that tower which concentrated
the labor Of the race soon after The food, under
the pretence Of afiording It a refuge from SINH
lar visitations in futures tower which, in such
recurrence, could have accommodated but a
very few of the community.
Now, we think, we are threatened in this
country with another confusion of tongues.
The Constitution kas, from the first, been a
theme Of dispute between the two parties that
differed on the degree of consolidation or diffu-
zion of political power After the first grand
dispute ragged for while, the country pretty
generally agreed to the exposition known as the
Resolutions of '9S. 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
a couple of classes Of commentators rs wide as
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 lie the latest authorized inter-
probation of '98. Gen. Jackson was the sgner,
and Mr. WEBSTER the champion, on its APP
pearance, of that celebrated document. But that
paper was pretty generally repudiated by those
who We're left Of the old Republican party OF
'9s. Mr. RAkDoLrH, Mr.. TAzEwELL, in fact
the principal statesmen Of Virginia and South
Carolina, and there was large party of the old
leaven of '98 in Kentucky. led by Senators
BIBB and Rowan, that all disavowed il. Mr..
WEBSTER, however, stood firmly up 10 it, and
proclaimed himself, under an October sun in
Richmond, in 1910, JEFFERsoKAk Democrat.
Mr.. Clay also took the same side-so did Mr..
Benton. We publish, to-day, letter of bis,
just written toa st. 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 10 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 to the Southern Republican party. Messrs.
CLEMENS, FooTR and CoBB are associated with
a party chiefly of Wings, contendirg for the doc
trines Of JACKSON, against party chiefly Of
Democrats :-contending in company with GER
tain prominent Wings in the South, who de-
nounced the Proclamation of General JACKSON
at the time as entirely too federal for them
And this party cannot unite with, but renounce.
the special party of Mr.. WEBSTER, the great
champion of the Proclamation. Nor can either
of these unite with Mr.. BEsros's party of Mis-
sour Freesoilism, for he opposed the Compro
mise and adopted q course which both consider
ed destructive of the Union. All these thres
parties, however, of Northern Wigs, of Dem
ocratic Freesoilers, and Southern Union mer
proclaim implacable and exterminatinp wal
against the Southern Republicans. Well, WI
suppose that this war involves the continuance
of agitation on the sectional, slavery and com
promise questions-and We hope the response
bility 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
previous declarations Of the Southern States, III,
Constitution was violated, andt rights Of tbos,
States outraged. Many Of Us joined in the appea
to the States to exert their rghtful powers o
selfpreservation, and to resist the assault
When they refused or declined, we were bound
according to sll our principles Of allegiance 10 tn
States, to forego resistance, also. We neve
advocated rebellion or insunectiop; as an at
tempt to resist without or against the authorit,
of the several ST would have been.
And, although We thought, and still think
that the Union party in the South had committed
agreat error In supporting the Compromise o.
subm itting TO il, We did not propose To wag,
with them war Of determination. They pro
posed TO submit because il was the act of In,
federal government-we abstain from resistanc,
because the States have each resolved 10 abstain
And, although we think IL is rather rdiculou,
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 Il could not rely to supper,
even the Compromise, much less the Georgia
platform.
The truth ia, that the very separation Of parties
which the Compounds has caused, separation
deemed necessary to preserve the Compromise
and prevent further aggressions, has vindicatet
the course Of the Southern Republicans. But in
stead Of invoking the legitimate organized resist