The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-30
Nationality and SectiOnalism. -Everett and
Seward.

Nationality and Sectional ism.-Everett and
Seward
1t has been the usage OF the whig party to submit
themselves to the guidance and control of some leading
spirit, whom, in the fidelity OF their allegiance they en-.
dowed with every admirable and excellent attribute oil
intellect and character For many years Mr.. Clay en-
oyed the honors and exercised the power of chief of the
wing party, and the authority OF ctator SO
supreme and never the homage and obedience OF fol.
lowers more sincere and implicit Since the death OF
Mr. Clay many have aspred to the vacant throne but
no of his eutenants could establish claim to the
succession by any decided superiority OF talent OF par
y service Besides. the division in the wing ranks con
sequent upon the agitation of the slavery question: made
it impossible tina, they could rally with unaumity to the
standard of any leader Hence, up to the present
moment the wing party have been divided into number
OF detached factions, each under the command OF its
peculiar champion and each intent upon its own peculiar
aggrandzement.
There are indications that this state OF anarchy about
TO terminate, and that the wing party again be
ganized under efficient and legitimate authority
Two great principles are now struggling for the
mastery Of the wing pary-these the principle OF
'setona'ism and the principle of nationality The power
of the latter is decaying the power Of the former i.
multiplying and extending at fearful ratio Already
does secuonalsm exercise dominant control over the
wing party. In the last great convention of the party
sec,onasm and nationality made trial OF their strength
and although the victory 6ercey contested vet the
final triumph of seclionasm was signal aud complete
Nobody can dispute this. St the national element, in
the wing party element of great power and vitality
and with proptous combination OF circumstances
might yet retrieve lis fallen fortunes and restore its
ancient command. But these favorable circumstance.
are altogether wanting, and is evident enough that the
whS party will be under the undispued control OF
sectonalsm.
Now, these principles OF nationality and sec,ionasm
have each its representative and champion in Edward
Everett and William n. Seward-the two chief men in
the wing party. Conscious of their waning power, the
national wings do no, dare TO rally any who has
been conspicuous in his opposition to seconalism but
IN order propa,e the opposite faction. they take Mr.
Everett for their leade-a who, TO say the least
has been very successful in retaining the confidence and
goodwill OF sectionalism, while he fegned TO dep
it's spirit |, by accidental association than
by any positive word OF mis- life that Mr. Everett
has to be regarded the enemy OF seconalsm. The
sectional wings have pursued different and wiser
policy. They neither emporize nor compromise. They
have selected for their champion the OF all others
mos, identified with their principes-be who may
be said TO be in martyr to those principles,
by virtue OF the obloquy and hostility which their in.
uepld advocacy has brought upon him He has there
fore the confidence and sympathy OF his party and can
rally them in solid phaanx to his support
Mr. Everett is deficient in all the essential qualities Of
party leader He is OF varied and elegant rather
than profound or solid cul,ureof much skill in rhetoric.
refined for artistic beauty, sufficiently familiar
acquaintance with classical literature and select rather
than wide range OF reading in the literature Of the Eng
lish language; with but little originality or force Of
thought or resoutcness OF WILL or earnestness of char
scier; with command over men. and genius for
political combination in short, man OF the closet
rather than OF the world and adapted for contemplave
rather than active life His letter The annexation Of
Cuba displays his best qualities to the bes, effect Be-
ing a rhetorical essay on given thesis, il
the very labor in which his genius delights and excels
bu, it exhibited originality either OF philosophy of
Argument and was nothing than elegant and ell
oquent exposition Of fundamental and familiar doctrine
of democratic faith Its effect upon the country
banced by the sensation OF surprise which the unexpected
issue Of such paper from such source could fail
TO produce People were amazed that wbig could ut.
ter such sentiments. and they spplauded the miracle
Far superior in all the elements essential to the success
ful leadership Of a party IL William II. Seward He
too. IL a scholar. we'll versed in ancient and modern
esrnnga rhe ,orcisn--erpert in the nee OF bis tools
But he is something more than OF academic at
,ainmen and ornamental culture He s nam OF infinite