The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-26


one or the other OF the former lines Of division
issbut the last appeal Of the old priests of the
deiled temples of party, who feel that they are
about to lose their livelihood in making images
of false deities for the people to worship Hercl
their lusty shouts Of Great is Diana Of IN,
Ephesians ~" great Is the power of party;" and
great is the virtue of old issues
This cry has been unavaiing in the past, anc
il will be unavaling in the future, wherever thu
question shall be made and met Let our friend,
mot doubt too soon. No occasion has yet ariser
for an appeal to the whole people of the United
States upon the principles Of our organization
Whether such all occasion shall arise may de
pend upon the action Of this Baltimore convsn
ton. Alabama has already called a national
convention on our principles, to assemble in this
city after the Baltimore convention. To this
latter convention we should not fail TO send
delegates Should such state of things then
exist as to render new national organization
necessary ard proper to carry out our principles
feel assured that tho late results in Georgia
Alabama, and Mississippi, are but proofs Of
what may be expected III other sections of the
country, when similar efforts may be made for
similar objects. Aud in this connection | will
add that the idea of recognizing either of the
old parties in this country upon sound national
| principles is, in my opinion, n result not to be
1 looked for with much conf lenc,. As organic /.
| tons, these parties are both effete and corrupt
| They both make professions in platforms
which they never carry out in practice. These
! platforms or programmes have become nothing
but artful devices, by which demagogues are
enabled to delude and cheat the people, New
wine is not to be put into old bottles, else they
burst" And if the effort to infuse new and
sound principles into either Of those worn out
parties should be successful, a like result may
! be expected. 1t is quite Improbable that il
should be otherwise, for the elements in each
are discordant, conflicting, and hostile.
4 How, for instance, can those men in Georgia
who looked upon the eighteen thousand majority
against them in their own State at the late cleo
ton as enthusiastically upon the question of
Southern rights be expected to act in harmony
with the Wilmots, the Rantouls, the Preston
Kings, and the Van Burens at the North The
very idea Of such possibility is suggestive of
infamy. ] take it for granted, then, that har-
monious action amongst men holding such an,
tagoaistical opinions and principles, is out of
the question. And it should be borne in mind
that Mr. Rantoul declared the other day, in the
| House, that if he were not good Democrat,
there was not one in New England But apart
from considerations growing out Of the present
condition Of the slavery question, and other
questions of domestic policy, on which there is
equally as wide difference Of opinion between
! the two great wings of these old parties, there
are still other and new questions arising, upon
| which most probably still wider differences of
| opinion will exist. The question of interfering
with and taking part in European politics will
soon be upon u.s. "Coming events cast their
shadows before" At this time we see man,
of unusual address and great ability, traversing
the Northern States of the Union, and urging
upon the people the abandonment ofthose prin-
ciples which have been coeval with the exist
ence of our government in our relations With
the various monarchies and dynasties of the old
world. His object evidently is, to implant in
the public mind the principle that it is our duty
| to join in general crusade for the liberties of
mankind. These wild and disorganizing doc
trines have been embodied in resolutions and
adopted with enthusiasm by large and respecta.
Bile meetings in divers places. The day is not
distant when the questions involved in these
doctrines will become practical issues. They
will present subjects of vast magnitude and mo
hentous Importance for the consideration of the
American people. And upon them, as well as
upon those other kindred questions TO which
have alluded, men in all sections who think alike
must organize and act together, without respect
to past differences Of opinion other points, or
an early doom will be our destiny, instead of
that full measure of true greatness which il is
our real emission" TO attain, and which nothing
short of the united patriotism Of the whole
country can secure.
This is no time, therefore, 10 look 10 old IS
sues with prospect of Teo,ganizing parties
upon them. But have said much more than !
intended. In conclusion, ! will add that our
policy is to hold our position. We should unite
with no party that fails as condition precedent
TO incorporate in its creed those principles which
we consider AS essential 10 the maintenance If
our rights and the preservation Of the union
Of the States. We should stand aloof from all
parties that do not purge themselves from all
utilization and association with Free Soilism
Whatever may be the course Of future events,
we should stand by our principles wherever they
may lead Us, through woe" as well as "through
veal" and maintain them now, and always, il
need be, until they, we, and the republic perish
together in u common ruin. Yours, respect
fully,
ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS.