The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-05
The Union and tho Tribune.

The Washington Union seems to be out oil
humor with the New York Tribune, for award
i,ga triumph to Mr.. RHETT in his recent contro
versy with Mr. CLEMENS. And the Union as
crbes this opinion of the Tribune to an affinity
between the Northern Abolitonists and South
ern Disunionists, which the Union, as well a
Mr.. CLEMENS. alleges to exist.
Now, we avow certain sort of liking an(
respect for certain of the Abolitionists and Free
soiIers-those who are frank and candid in the
avowal of their opinions. We like them much
better than those who waste an immensely OF
words or ink, either in denouncing them, or in
shutting about their doctrines, and yet ultimate
ly support the most material part of their de-
mands, on shabby pretex's. We 60 further
aud avow rather special sort of liking for the
New York Tribune, because it is the consistent,
frank and able advocate of Abolitionism, and of
every kindred ism. We always knew where to
find the Tribune. Whenever any humbug is
announced to secure human happiness, SO as to
dispense with the old-fashioned and inconve-
nient process of performing human duty and
obeying the Divine will, we always expect the
Tribune office is an academy, college, uni
versity of philanthropy. The doctors of that
institution have radical cure or sovereign rem
edy for all the ills of life and society. Let a
man who is too lazy TO work, too prodigal to
save, too selfconceited to learn,-let man
who is incapable of taking care of his own uf
fairs, and therefore takes care of others, let q
slave to his own appetite, distress himself fol
the liberty of the Africans, and this is the
man to whom the Tribune will give comfort
Such man will learn that it is only neces
usages of society, the wages of labor, the free
dom of commerce-to overthrow all the gov
ernments of Europe, and make radical change
in our own Constitution-and mankind will be
things can be done, the Maine liquor law must
be passed, building associations formed, trade
unions multiplied, land given to the landless
and public bathing houses built for those who
are too dirty to wash themselves at home
In all these things the Tribune is consistent
aud plausible and ingenious and candid. 1t goes
on the comprehensive principle that all men are
equal, and that if any portion of them, but above
all, d considerable portion, is found in condi-
ton of vice, ignorance, poverty and degradation
it is not their own fault, but the result of an ac
cidental misconstructon of government and 80
ciety, which has always heretofore happened tc
mankind, but that the grand secret of human
perfectibility has at length been revealed by
the works Of FOURIER, PRouDHoN, LOUIS BLANC
& Co, assisted by the luminous labors Of Eng
Ish Chartsts and Radicals, and American NAL
and female Abotionists
But there are some things in which we agre
with the Tribune That paper holds the doc
trine of coercing sovereign State to be Al
absurdity-an atrocity. And although we thin
it would have been rather more pertinent t
have avowed that sentiment whilst the question
threatened to be practical than afterwards, w
still recognize the good sense that dictated tn
avowal.