Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1853-04-30
Nationally and SeCtiOnaliSm. Everett and
Seward,

1t has been the usage of the whig party to sub
NIT themselves to the guidance and control of some
leading spirit, whom, in the fidelity of their allie
glance, they endowed with every admirable and
excellent attribute of intellect and character For
many years Mr.. Clay enjoyed the honors and ex-
ercised the power OF chief of the wing party, and
never was the authority of dictator SO supreme,
and never the homage and obedience of followers
more sincere and implicit Since the death of Mr..
Clay, many have aspired to the vacant throne,
but no one of his lieutenants could establish a
claim to the succession by any decided superiority
of talent or of party service Besides, the divis-
ion in the wing ranks, consequent upon the agita-
ton of the slavery question, made it impossible
that they could rally with unanimity to the stan
dard of any one leader Hence, up to the pres
ent moment the whig party have been divided in
| to number of detached factions, each under the
command of its own peculiar champion, and each
intent upon its own peculiar ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
There are indications that this state of anarchy
is about to terminate and that the wing party are
again to be organized under an efficient and legiti-
mate authority.
Two great principles now struggling for the
mastery of the wing party-these are the princl-
pie of sectionaliSm and the principle of nationality
The power of the latter is decaying; the power Of
the former is multiplying and extending at fear
full ratio. Already does sectonalism exercise a
dominant control over the wing party. In the last
great convention of the party sectionasm and
nationality made trial of their strength, and al
though the victory was fiercey contested, yet the
final triumph of sectionalism was signal and com
pete. Nobody can dispute this Still, the nation
al element in the wing party is an element OF grea
power and vitality, and with propItIous comb
nation of circumstances might even yet retrieve
its fallen fortunes ard restore its ancient command
d rh off tbp
wanting, and it is evident enough that the whis
party will soon be under the undisputed control o
sectionalism.
Now, these principles of nationality and section
alism have each its representative and champion
in Edward Everett and William H. Seward-th
| two chief men in the wing party. Conscious Q
, their waning power, the national wings do no
dare to rally on any man who has been conspcu
GUS in his opposition to sectionallsm; but IN orde
, to proptiate the opposite faction, they take MI
Everett for their leader-a man who, to say tn
least has been very successfuln retaining the con
6dence and goodwill of sectionalismj even Will
3 he fefgned to deprecate its spirit. 1t is more o
accidental association than by any positive word
act of his life that Mr.. Everett has come to be re
e carded the enemy of sectionalism. The sectlons
e Whigs have pursued different and wiser policy
/ They neither temporize nor comprise. They hav
selected for their champion the man OF all other
most identified with their principles-the man VIII
NAV be said to be in some sense martyr to thos
principles, by virtue of the obloquy and hostilit
q which their intrepid advocacy has brought upo
d him. He has therefore the confidence and syn
e pathy of his party, and can rally them IN soil
, 5 phalanx to his support.
:, Mr.. Everett is deficient in all the essential qua
= tiles Of party leader. He is man OF varied an
= elegant rather than profound or solid culture
y much skill in rhetoric, refined taste for artist
= = beauty, sufficiently familiar acquaintance WI
. classical literature, and select rather than VIII
! range Of reading in the literature OF the Engh'
!, Language; with but little originality or force
g thought, or resoluteness of will, or earnestness
X character; with no command over men, and
Is genius for political combination; in short, nj
II Of the closet rather than of the world, and adaE
led for contemplative rather than active life: 2
llstteT on the annexation of Cuba displays his be
Fatalities to the best effect. Being mere rhetoric
s]essay on a given thesis, it was the very lao0r
al which his genius delights and exeels but !. exnl
fited no originality either Of philosophy or OF arg
tment. and was nothing more than an eiegant. =. q
e. eloonent exposition Of fundamental and iamll
B. doctrine ofFdemoeratic faith. Its effect upon
D. country was enhanced by the sensation OF isurpr
(which the unexpected issue Of such paper lre