The weekly Placer herald., 1854-08-19
From the Times & Transcript.
The Whig Party---Its Prese mt
Condition.


so wasted its proportions and disappoint-
ments shattered it's frame, that It now
stands mere shadow of its former self.
Besides, its glory has departed with the
going out Of the great lights who have
hitherto led it in the pride Of its power.
Who now among them wears the mantle
Of II Clay or Webster? Who now invests
their political heresies with the magic
drapery Of persuasive eoquence? Who
now, with the rally cry of the "Great
American SYSTEM" summons to the res
cue the stalwart sons Of whiggery? Alas,
for the feetingness of things human, echo
answers. "who?" That party has no
leader nOw-no national unity-nO com
munity Of purpose-no hopeful future
no plausible hobby-not even specous
clap-trap wherewith t" humbug the peo
pie. What the mighty future. pregnant
with changing events, may bring forth,
is only left to prophetic wisdom to divide.
Before it forgets its former associations
and it is said that party never forgets and
never something may "turn up''
to regalvanize it AS it is, that some
thing is not yet. Abolition will not ans
wer. Southern whiggery, prejudiced as
it is in favor of name, is tleast patriotic,
and will scorn the alliance. Resides the
leaders Of those fanatics glory in the name
of abolition, and will certainly not surren-
der it even for the title of whig As
Daniel Webster in old Faneuil Hall in
the days of Tylerism exclaimed, "where
shall go!' so too in this peculiar crisis
may each and every whig ask the same
question for himself
We see by our exchanges this subject
is now being discussed by many of the
whig organs throughout the States, In
the north it may e considered as settled
the issue there being Congressional inter-
ventIon and slavery agitation. In other
words the repeal of the Kansas Nebraska
law-the modification so as to render it
imperative, Of the "fugitive slave law"
and general legislation by Congress against
slavery in the Territories. This is now
the suIe issue made by that section of
much unity Of opinion. There is as yet
no concerted plan of operation. Many of
her leading men who have passed that
age when it is considered prudent to
change ones politics., still cling to the
name by which they have been known
and vainIy endeavor to blind their eyes
to the real state of party affairs. Others,
however, less fogy in their ideas and i'm
bued with the progressive spirit of the
age, are glad of an opportunity to dissolve
all further connection with party whose
whole existence has been one long drawn
out hlunder and whose very scheme has
been condemned by the American people.
The Richmond Wig is evidently i'm
pressed with the belief that something is
wrong in the 'tide" Of whiggery, which
is faster and faster fading on to misfor
tune. 1t founders in a sea of uncertainty,
and wanders in the misty realms of the
future. Without arriving at any satsfac-
tory result, it thus conc ludes some specula-
tons on the subject:
"lt is better at present, we think, to
let things pursue their natural course
they will come to head in due season
When preparations begin to he made for
another Presidential contest. which is yet
two years off, we can then determine,
with all the lights before us, what is best
to he done for the protection of the South,
and the general welfare Of the country.
GAS southern wings, however, we can
not shut our eyes to the fact, that in the
late contest, involving simply the recogni-
ton of constitutional right, the wings
of the North deserted us, without soil
tary exception, in either House of Con-
gress'
No, it was not you, ''southern whigs,"
whom they deserted. They deserted the
honor and integrity of the Unlon-the
noble landmarks of the constitutional the
great principles Of popular sovereignty
and democratic equality. They deserted
them, and for what? For place-for
power-fo for paltry position. They threw
aside the garments Of whiggery, not AS
did Joseph his robe, to escape the con
terminating embrace Of Potiphar's wife,
but in order that they might more easily
clasp the harIot, aboitionlsm.
The Co umbus, (Ga.) Times and Sen
tiaei, however, sees things in clearer
light. 1t does not look, "through II glass,
darkly" The true state of its party,
(whig,) is not only understood, but ~
plain, blunt words, it is proc aimed to the
world. 1t thus answers both of its friends
who are afflicted with the inquiring spirit
of the great Webster, "Where am to
go?" :.
"'rhe whig party, as party, is aboll-
tionized, and It will he treason to their
section for Southern wings longer to affl-
late with it. There are but two courses
for them to take. 1st. TO form section
al organization. Cd. To join the Demo.
cracy. The first course is recommended
h. .ho E.,o,,;ror IF thp object of the