Washington telegraph., 1852-12-08
The Calm After the Storm.

AS the roar OF the cannon, rejoicing at
the defeat of one whose cannon has often
roared in defence of his country's rights
and honor, dies away. the people, like
strong man awakening from the effects OF
too much wine, can calmly view the position
of things and properly. appreciate the causes
which have produced that defeat. They
behold Democratic President elected by
as strange and motley a combination of fac
tions as ever united for common purpose !;
large Democratic majority in both Houses
of Congress, and they will shortly see all
the Offices from Maine to Florida filled by
Democratic partizans, who have proved
themselves qualified and worthy by their
zeal in the late contest.
With this tremendous power to do what
it plcases, the Administration will have a
fair chance to carry out its measures
What though the Wings plead, and speak
of threatened dangers? What will this
avail? When did the victorious Democracy
ever think of danger or pause to consider
consequences when its heart was set upon
the accomplishment of some cherished OBJ
iect The Administration; then, will be
able to play out successfully its own game !;
in the course of which, the people will see
clearly enough how the deck has been shut
fed and the cards marked.
We are no croakers-we believe in the
integrity of the people; but we also believe
that petty politicians often gain their conf
dence and lead them estray. A large por-
ton of the people doubtless did what they
thought to be right in the recent election,
and we should be happy to see their hopes
realized; but we have our fears for the
course of an Administration brought into
power by the harmonizing fagends of dis
cofdant and conflicting factions.
General Pierce may be good man and
a patriot, but what task has he to perform?
How will he satisfy the Free-soilers and
Slavery n,en-the North and the South
the Barnburners and Hunkers-Yo oung
America and the Old Fogies-Liberalists
and Bigotists in religion, Secessionists and
Unionists- ts-all of whom, although bitterly
opposed to each other, united in supporting
him. Can he fulfil the conflicting expecta-
tions which gave him so overwhelming a
majority? Can he be true to all ?
We are not of those who would censure
in advance, or chill single hope which the
election of Pierce and King may have in
spired We would not magnify the cloud
"no bigger than your hand upon the horizon.
We only point it out with the hope that in
stead of rising and spreading and bursting
in fury above us. it may sink back from
view and leave our sky in brightness.
One thing is certain-the Wings will not
sit with folded arms. and crushed spirits, in
different spectators Of the scenes around
them. If all goes well and the country
prospers, they will be the first to rejoice;
but if reckless progress and Fillibusterism
rear their hideous heads and brandish their
unholy weapons for the work of aggression
If partyism should trample-upon patri-
otism and the President of nation be-
come the patron of section, if demagogue-
ism should usurp the place Of talent and
public virtue. and morality and religion
shrink from the bold gaze of unbridled lib
erty-then will the voice of the Wings, in
the true spirit of conservative energy be
heard throughout the land. Then will the
principles, now scorned, and temporarily
defeated be called to the rescue, and save
the people, as they have done more than
once before, from the effects Of the errors
into which they have been blindly led.