The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-04


are Ignorant of the use of what is cad a cyu
in party 81 fcts and one of the reasos Of the
confusion in each of the parties hereS that
they cannot agree upon what their ressctiye I
cries shall be- They have not been aSe TO. 7
make choice Of gathering word--a so of ,
answer to all arguments We heard thevull
blast Of that cry during the last year. 1t sas
Union Union! Sare The Union! Manya
one found himself the temporary idol of a COZ
stituency alarmed by false npprehensions OF
danger, and holding office solely by the force
and effect of that cry. A cry Of fire, whether
false or true, puts all in motion on whose ear1
| it falls This humbug performed lis office.
Fhiscry died out, until its faint echoes could nc
longer amuse or deceive. Another became ne-'
cessary, and we have it now in full chorus,
Peace, quiet, repose, and finally Of The comproSy
mise measures This fierce and restless desiref
for repose, this horror Of agitation, is now the
cry, and in the calm spirit which it generates,
disposes partizsn leaders 10 assault without
mercy or reserve all who are not as disorderlA
in their desires for peace AS themselves. Tbe1
measures OF compromise are so pacific, SO COM
posing, that none can escape the character Of,
agitators by being only willing to abide by them
but must express sense of obligation to all
who ever advocated and approved of them. And
as every cry has its echo, the Simon Pures
regard all such as ultras--at the North Free.
soers and Abotionists; at the South, Seces.
sionists and disunionsts, per Sc, who do not
| fully concpr with them.
n This, sir, may do for very short season. but
kstbe feeblecry of dying infant, it will sink
1hte |NnRe and the grave. 1t shows, however.
willM mind in those who use it to prescribe
and destroy those against whom it is raised.
The most ridiculous exhibition which | have
To- fha aft ant - fla, 4. q
promise in this House as subject of legislative
action. This anodyne, this pacificating and
composing expedient, on its bare mention here.
throws the whole House into disorder AMI con.
fusion. None can mistake the cause. We
have indeed resorted to the expedient of reso-
utions reafirming those measures recognizing
the hnality, and acknowledging the universal
assent of the people and ourselves to their pro.
visions. But, sir, however the record may an.
pear upon paper, it will excite smile when pc. !
rused by any one who witnessed the fierce
resistance made to this authoritative acknowl.
edgment of harmony and peace. A calm sue.
ceeded for some few days, but symptoms of
discomfort continually arise. If people would !
be quiet, they are not permitted to be So Like
the gentleman from Indiana, Mr. GoRMAs.l Is
some cordial approver of those measures Of
peace and concord reproaches those who do not
and places them in unpleasant associations. and
all is at sea again. The effect of the resolution
of concurrence in series of laws now on the
statutebook lose their composing effect; the
buttress gives way, and the temple of peace
threatens to tumble.
have heard it suggested by judicous per-
sons, that resolutions of acquiescence in the
measures OF compromise ought to be passed
every Monday of the session, and the laws en-
acted on that occasion done into respectable
verse, and committed to memory, to be said or
sung by all friends of peace and harmony.
That, as resolutions affirming the compromise
laws were necessary to fix the authority of those
laws upon the hearts of the people, so there
ought to be weekly resolutions recognizing and
reaibrming those which, having been past, need
the reviyifyng effect of recognition, lest ey
loose their hold upon our minds 1t may ans
wer another valuable purpose: that of furnish
ing an excuse for an assault on those who arc
unwilling to support every measure of party
fayoritism, or enlarged scheme of pull lie ex.
penditure. 1t may sifJrd an opportunity 10
classify and denounce such persons, and thus
aid to prolong the dying notes of a party cry.
Such expedients have often been efIectual for
most mischieyous purpose. The people are
sometimes misled for time, and great Injustice
Is done 10 good and patriotic men. Those de-
string immediate reward for party services, can
not wait, and, as time and tide wait for no man.
the tide must be raised, and the occasion seized
for the attainment of the end proposed. OF
course, would not attribute such motives TO
members Of this House; bat all of us are more
or less affected by that pressure from without
which Is felt from the operation Of public opin-
ion, however formed. | am one of those, sir.
who voted for the recognizing resolutions, and
am watching with great interest their Effect in
giving peace and tranquility. ] am willing TO
be advised, and pass them again if they are like
To grow old or cold, should those who are ex-
pert IN political practice recommend such pro-
ceeding, by way Of repeating the dose
But, sir, it is a grave question, how far il is
proper to resort to the denunciation of classes.
~ order TO carry any favorle measure here.
History hrs instructed us that although sucn
expcdients have been for time successful. in
the end they have brought ruin and reproaeh
upon The authors. The Aboitionists and Fcee.
sellers are unpopular South, and the advocates
Of the tight OF secession in bad odor NJ the
North. Should mombers who are either sus-
pected or believed TO hold opinions on those
subjects which are called extremes, happen 10
vote together upon any question, the cry of a
coalition between those who, however differing
IN opinion, are charged with desire Of Crafty
ing acoinmon hostility, ~ made 10 answer every
argument suggesting economy in the public
expenditures, OF purity in the sources Of public
Information. We know that The desire to obtain
pfize increases with The prospects Of success,
and when so near as 20 glitter in the eyes of the
pursuer, Is apt 20 absorb his entire attention.
Whatever may obsiruct the pursuit is cause of
irritation whoever NAV defer or dissppoint the
acquisition is regarded an enemy These OBJ
stacles must be removed, and as politicians and
aIetesmen exist by the breath Of public opinion,
nrfadest mode is TO make them odous--in
phies and despotisms, 70 inform and place
within The iron grasp Of power--in. such
a government rs ours, 10 render them objects Of
suspicion and di-trust The cry, the war slogan
OF party, is raised az their heels, and sometimes
they are hunted down With success.
Those who were bold enough 20 censure the
sxGnes Of Charles H., found in Titus Oates