Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-30

the conviction was forced upon the national
democrats that there was a power secretly at
work to undermine and overthrow them, and
give the ascendancy to the freesoil section.
This event was the endorsement, by the Wash
ington Union, of the substitute for the resolu-
tons of Mr.. ID. B. Taylor, in the New York
legislature.
Mr.. Taylor had introduced set of resolu-
tions; expressing unequivocal approval of the
compromise measures, and of the Presidents
inaugural, with some detail. The freesoil
members, with few exceptions, had fled from
the house to avoid vote upon these resolu
| tons; and had subsequently introduced reso
lutions of their own, couched in general and in
explicit terms.
The Washington Union took ground in favor
Of this substitute. This was an unexpected
thunderbolt. 1t shook the nerves of the ma
tional democrats 1t was to them the hand
writing upon the wall. They, however, con-
tinued to rest their hopes on the Presidents
He, they thought, would see these things. He
would correct them.
But these hopes were disappointed. The
Union followed up its blow. 1t assailed the
leading national journals in the State as oppo
nents of the administration. 1t allied itself to
the freesoil presses, and showed a complete and
cordial sympathy with Them
The eyes of the national democrats were now
fully open. They saw that they must either
permit the freesoil section Of the party, with
out any abandonment Gifts dangerous heresies
to become so far strengthened as to control the
| action of the State in any future contest about
slavery, or separate themselves from it. This
is the true cause of the division.
The slavery issue lies at the foundation of
the movement, and the democracy of the south
anA nf ha HMM nunht 10 this md
preciate it. 1t was to arrest the process of abo-
| litionizing, the democratic party of New York,
that the national men of the State have dis
solved their connexion with their freesoil as
sociates. @ld
Let it be understood that they do not charge
President Pierce with being privy to any such
design. They do not charge Mr.. Marcy even
with design to build up freesoilism for its
own sake. This is the indirect effect, and not
the direct object of his course.
1t does not require extraordinary perspicuity
| to comprehend all this. Gov. Marcy was
| prominent and persevering candidate for the
Presidential nomination in the last Baltimore
convention and it can be doing no injustice to
him to suppose that he would not object to q
representation of his claims. But, in order to
success it is indispensable that he should have
the entire vote of New York With the national
men in the ascendant he could not hope for
this They had, with great unanimity, urged
upon the President the appointment of Mr.
| Dickinson to post in the Cabinet. The in
ference from this was irresistible. Gov. Marcy
saw and appreciated the indication, and acted
accordingly.
1t will be seen, therefore, that the vote Of
New York, in the next Baltimore convention,
| is the hinge upon which has turned the whole
action Of the administration in reference to this
| State. The object has been carefully con-
| cealed--the most plausible reasons have been
i given for every step. The whole thing has
been adroitly and skilfully managed. But the
unmistakeabe truth stands out in bold relief,
! that, in order to give to the candidate of the
freesoil men the rote of the State, the power Of
the President has been used to give to the lat
ter the control of the State.
This key unlocks the whole mystery. The
Richmond editor need be no longer Eat loss
for an adequate explanation" of the matter.
1t stands plainly revealed. Although the object
Of the policy adopted towards New York has
not been to strengthen the anti-slavery element
in the politics of the Union, this is its una
mocracy to ask themselves whether the entire
ascendancy in New York can be given to men
who supported the Buffalo platform in l84S,
and who still adhere to its principles with safety
to the democratic party, or to the confederacy
Of the States
1t is to prevent this ascendancy, and for no
other reason, that the national democrats Of
New York have dissolved their connexion with
their freesoil brethren. They have sacrificed
their power in the State, and hazarded their
relations to the democracy of the nation, in
order to guard from danger the rights of the
south; but the south seems inclined, instead of
responding to the act, to prefer utilization with
its old and inveterate enemies. Is this essen
tial to show its fealty to the administration?
Cannot southern men separate President Pierce
and his general policy from the game which
has been playing for the vote of New York?
Is sympathy with the men who have ever stood
by them and their rights identical with "oppo-
sition to the Administrations
| These questions are addressed to the states.
men Of the south. Southern sagacity, as well
as southern gratitude, are about to undergo a
trial, and we shall soon see how they will stand
the test. VINDEX.