The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-05-29

leaders OF the extreme factions which had united 70
suppose that this was the best mode of conciating
and composing sectional strife-that by promoting
to Office, and repoeing trust and confidence in the
leaders Of the extreme and hitherto hostile factions
| Of the North and South, he would be able to WIN
them and their respective followers over 70 more
moderate and patriotic courses, and BLEND the as
cordant elements OF which the democratic party mas
| lately been composed into one sound ana orthodox
| faith-into one great Unionlovng and Union pre-
serving party. If this was the motive OF the Fresr
dent said Mr.. Bell he was entitled to his respect,
and the experiment would have his hearty prayers
for its success But while he (Mr Belly could
while he could be thus charitable to the mo-
tiyes and policy of Gen. Pierce in promoting free
sellers to placesof high public trust ana in1uenceE
the democratic party in Tennessee occupied posi-
ton which made IL impossible that they could for
| give or extend equal indulgence to General Pierce
| They were in condition which denied them the
privilege Of charitable construction Of Gen. Pierces
/ course. There were many leaders OF the democracy
in this State, of high intelligence and ability, for
whom he (Mr b. entertained great respect, and for
some of whom he had sincere personal esteem
gentlemen Of proud and elevated character and stand
ing among their countrymen. Mr. b. would not say
that he commisserated their condition. The sent
ment he felt and would express was more respectful
and he must say that he thought they were entitled
to the deepest sympathy from every generous heart
ed whg They must necessarily be put to the Sc
verest trial in the struggle between their consistency
and self respect and their allegiance to their party
and to the administration of Gen. Pierce. They
in this dilemma they must either dsapprove his
policy or condemn themselves. We have the demo-
cratic party of this State in the Caudne Forks. We
have them hemmed up in defile from which there is
no escape What were the facts which defined their
present position Throughout the severe canvas,
in Tennessee for State officers and members OF Con-
gress in 1851 it cannot be forgotten that the demo-
cratic party waged fierce and unsparing warfare
against the wings for their alleged party connec-
tons with free soiers of the North. They were de
nounced as the allies OF Northern free soers Some
Of the democratic journals and orators went so far
as to declare that the wings OF this State were tra
tors to the South for admitting any party association
and cooperation with free sellers, and in sustain
ing administration which appointed them to Office
But that was not all. In the late Presidential cleo
ton the democratic journals and orators, without
ception so far as he (Mr. b. knew, pursued the
same course of bitter and unmeasured invectives
against the wings of Tennessee, appealing to every
interest and prejudice by which it supposed the
people might be reused and excited against them, not
because Gen. Scott believed to be unsound upon
the sectional issue, but because it was more than
probable that he would, if elected elevate some Of
the distinguished free soilers, his supporters, to
places OF trust and influence. This was more than
the patriotic democracy of the State could then en-
dure. But even Mr.. Fillmore who with a bold and
resolute determination sustained the compromise
measures and in doing felt it his duty actually to
remove wing free soiers, whom he found in office,
thereby exposing himself to the resentment and re-
entless hatred Of the whole free soil North; yet he
could net escape the reproaches and condemnation
of the democracy Of Tennessee. He was unworthy
of confidence because at some former period of his
life, he supposed to be tainted with free soil SEN
! timents. Even more eminent man than Mr.. Fillmore
more eminent for his ability, experience and public
services-Mr. Webster-he could not escape the con-
domination of the ntolerant democracy of Tennessee
1t was not enough that, by his support Of the Com
promise, he bravely barred his bosom to the enve-
nomed shafts, the inveterate hate of the free soil
leaders Of the North-a hate that pursued him to
the grave; he had once advocated free soil doctrine,
and that was sufficient to consign him to the lasting
| displeasure Of the democracy of the whole South;
nor could the wings Of Tennessee be pardoned for
their support of such man. These attacks upon
the wings OF Tennessee on account Of their past as
sociaons with free sOiers, were persisted in to the
close Of the election which terminated in the eeva-
ton Of Gen. Pierce to the Presidency. Yet Gen.
free soilers 10 the highest public Offices at home and
abroad, but takes Of them at least into his
confidence, to be his cabinet councillor.
The democracy Of this State will soon assemble in
convention, by their delegates in this city Will they
pass resolution approving the administration Of
Gen. Pierce? VIII they dare to do so? Yet how
allegiance to their party? Will the delegates dare
to emerge from the hall in which they shall assemble
without taking ground other for against General
Pierces policy in bis appointments to office Will
they evade the question: We shall see. Mr.. B. said
he had before stated, the wings Of this State had
their opponents in the Caudine Forks The allu
sion was to a well known incident in Roman history
The General OF the Samnites, people of Italy, who
long defended with obstinate bravery their liberties
against the ambition and domineering spirit Of
Rome in one of their frequent wars enclosed the
Roman army in a defle Of the Apprentices, known
as the Caudine Forks, which allowed them no alter
native but to submit to the terms Of the Samnites,
or be cut to pieces by their swords. The consuls
agreed that the Roman army should pass under the
yoke agreeably to the custom OF the times, and
tered into treaty with the Samntes, so Notifying
to Roman pride that the Senate refused to ratify it,
and from that day to this, it has become question
OF public morals, among writers on public law,
whether Rome upon the rejection Of the treaty was
not bound to send back her army and restore things
to the status quo, or to the condition in which they
were when the treaty was made The democratic
denunciations Of the wings, and Of their candidate
up to the close of the late election, on the ground
that he was supported by. the free soilers Of the
North, made q powerful impression against him
everywhere. The result was to deprive Gen. Scott
Of the vote of every wing State of the South and
Southwest, except Kentucky and Tennessee, and
thus subjecting him and the wing party to an over
whelming defeat. II the democracy OF this State
shall now approve the policy Of Gen; Pierce, in the
appointment of distinguished free soilers to Office, 1t
will become question Of public morals what repa-
ration they bound in justice and good faith to
make to the wings for the grievous wrong they will
stand convicted Of having done them. It would be
but Just that they shall restore the wings to the con-
dition in which they were before the election; but
that measure Of reparation was forbidden BY the
constitution. Gen. Pierce President for the
next four years. Could they do less than recant
their errors. and make an open acknowledgment Of
the injustice they had inflicted upon their wing
| countrymen!
Mr.. b. said he had before adverted to what was
said in the inaugural, and which he approved, with
some slight exceptions. The exceptonable passages
he thought rather significant, but while great deal
might be meant by them, but little might come Of
them. Mr. B. thought the inaugural quite as signif-
cant, and more remarkable for what was omitted in
it than for what it contained One would have sup
posed that the tariff the policy Of protecting the
labor and capital Of this country against the redun
dsnt capital and pauper labor Of Europe so long the
subject Of difference between the wing and the demo-
cratic party, would be deemed worthy Of some
slight notice in the inaugural-an address in which,
from general usage, the public expect to shadow
ed forth the policy Of the new President upon every
subject Of prominent interest TO the country but not
word is 70 be found in it upon this subject. River
and harbor improvements by the general go
venment, the limited system Of internal improve
ments advocated by the wings was another subject
Of great importance, especially TO the commercial
prosperity Of the West. The expediency Of this
policy had long been the subject of animated con-
II ,xas stranne that General Pierce did think