Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-05-01
The Washington Union.

! The veteran editor Thomas Ritchie, retired on the
18th inst His parting address is beautiful piece of
composition, full of deep feeling, into which the Old
Man Eloquent" pours his whole soul Whatever may
have been his errors his heart has always been right
He is succeeded by Major Donelson gentleman of tai
ens, and thoroughly acquainted with the political hsto
ry of the country. His accession the editorial chair
of national organ, augurs avoraby for the union
aud of party. We copy the following from
his salutatory:
1t is proper that should declare the leading prnc-
Piles which will guide me- This is an obligation due not
less to the public than myself and TO be properly per-
formed will require time and reflection than could
be commanded within ihe few days which have elapsed
since my arrival here. take this occasion, however,
to say that this paper, whilst under my control, will
become the organ of any combination of aspiring
individuals banded together promote their selfish
ambitious purposes; will il be the organ Of
single individual whose hopes fixed upon and
centraed in the desire to elevate himself power by
abandoning opposing the established usages of
the ancient and honored and great democratic party Of
this Union. OF that party it shall be the organ in that
alone which aims at the accomplishment OF truly
national measures by constitutional and Just
This seems, aso proper place for me to remark that
shall cordially sustain the recent compromise
enacted by the constituted authorities of the land
shall urge upon my fellow of
cry quarter oi the Unlon that it is their indispensable
duty IN all lawful ways, TO promote the honest observ
and enforcement of these measures and that their
execution of the fugitive slave law, since nothing less
than this ought satisfy the slavehoding States
1t fortunate that this Compromise is the joint work of
both the great political parties OF the country and that
1t may therefore be referred TO in all time come
monument of patriotism which towers above the ordna-
y spirit ol party when the safety of the Union threat
ened.
No political compact between States, however close
the union which it forms, any, of
tended to obvate difficulties arising of the consruc-
ton of such compact, can long endure, unless each
art- finpc rfanftu ltho
otherwlse the condition of the public sentiment and the
prospects OF the country would be deplorabe the
treme No free people will endure for any great
length of time palpable violation of their rights
their property Ten years elapsed from the time when
Grenvie introduced into the British Parliament the first
vltaly affecting the rights of the American colonies
until blood shed Lexington but throughout these
ten years the parties became every day more and more
estranged from each other. Former kind feelings and
aiiectonae regards succeeded by alienation by
cry complaints, and finally by hatreds, which it has
qured more than half century TO Eradicate after peace
was concluded between the parties.
If vast majority of those most deeply interested in
the Compromise willing, for the sake of peace, to
abide by it in perfect good faith and sustain and
vast majority of those least, if ALL interested in it
will not honestly assist in the execution of its provisions
WILL by acts done both openly and cOvery render the
part for the delivery of fugitive slaves utterly null and
useless for all practical purposes it requires prophet
to ioreseo that the hopes of every patriot and every friend
to human freedom be extingushed in the de-
structon of constitution and the utter dissolution of
our Union.
The fugitive slave law, which is but the expression OF
constitutional Injunction must be honestly enforced.
The constituted national authorities must see il enforced
The of a slave be permitted proceed
without harassmen to produce his proof before the prop
judicial tribunals, and, if judgment is rendered in
his favor he be permitted without any molestaon
to return to his domcil with the property which has
been finally adudged to belong to him under the consti
tuition and the laws of the land.
Every calm observer must and feel that the ques
ton of slavery must be Withdrawn from the political
arena that the preservation of the Union will become
mpossbility. To accomplish this sacred object, it
shall be endeavor place before my fellow
citizens such and views will be calculated
to dsarm those fanatics who imagine that the Institution
of slavery, though recognised by the federal compact
can be modified or annuled by political power unknown
to that compact.