Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-19

abolitionists. The hope of Africa-the terror
OF the south-had gone over to the enemy's
camp, and carried off the orderly rolls and
colors with him. Lucifer, son Of the morning
and OF Martin, had fallen. Others, meanwhile
hailed the conversion of the agitator with de
light. When he laid down his arms, they were
confident Of peace. The calumet had replaced
the tomahawk, and the Narragansetts came tc
the tents of the Mohicans, and the Mohicans
forbore to smite them. John was to be seen
no more upon the war-path.
We never believed much in his conversion
We had investigated his antecedents," as Mr.
Guthrie would say, and were sceptical of his
| sincerity. We saw him mount the Baltimore
platform with astonishment We knew moi
whether he came there rs n criminal to receive
punishment, or as an erring friend to be for
given. When he assumed the latter character
we said amen to the absolrO te of the party
though we had little faith in the heartiness OF
his contrition. We believed him to be like
Goldsmith's Italian, even in penace plotting
sins anew
What has he done? @
Simply, then, he has announced that the
Baltimore reconciliation, which made the
presidential election of $50 so proud and
sweeping democratic victory, was by no
means definite settlement of the slavery ques-
ton. 1t was only temporary and convenient
arrangement, by which the spoils"- the
ultima thule of Van Buren's patriotism
could be conveniently attained. 1t was Goa
lition between Peter and Paul to deprive Mi
chael Of the keys of that heaven which we pro-
tanely designate the Treasury, after which they
were free to fight with each other over the
NHau Al IL IA Il
union and harmony of profit, not Of patriotism
"a place beggar's bargain. OF course it was
not the intention of its authors to make it this
sloyenly piece of ayaricious patchwork; but
such is John Van Buren's Interpretation of it.
Such is his reading of it by the light Of the
Tammany lamps, and amid the applause Of his
followers }
II we are not mistaken, the following propo-
sition, with the accompanying resolution, was
not the least important plank in the Baltimore
convention. 1t was, in fact, the central beam
on which the safety Of the whole edi6ce de-
pended: ,a
"That Congress has no power under the Consti-
tuition 10 interfere with control the domestic
institutions Of the several States, and that such
States are the sole and proper judges of everything
appertaining to their own affairs, and prohibited by
the Constitution; that all efforts of the abolitonists
with questions of slavery, calculated to lead TO
the most alarming and dangerous consequences;
and that all such efforts have an inevitable ten
dency TO diminish the happiness of the people and
endanger the stability and permanency OF the
Union, and ought not TO be countenanced by any
friend of our political institutions.
"Resolved That the foregoing proposition covers
and was intended TO embrace, the whole subject Of
slavery agitation in Congress, and therefore the
democratic party Of the Union, standing upon this
MINT b,, Jgere
faithful execution Of the acts knoaon the compro
mise measures. satled by the last gress-the act
for the retaining of tugitives from service labor
included, which act, being designed to carry out
avith dsty thereto 6ereppaled or so changed as to
destroy or impair its efficiency"
The people who hailed this expression of the
opinions of the convention with extravaganza
delight were probably under the impression
that the words used in the construction Of the
resolutions embodied some meaning, and were
not the mere q roth and fury" of the momen-
tary excitement. Here, said the masses, is an
end to the battles of the north and south South
Carolina may lay down her arms, and Massa.
chusetts must be content. The fat ofthe great
united national democracy has gone forth, and
the era Of agitation is over, The rights of the
States and the principle Of non-interference are
fully vindicated. Van Buren, has pledged him
self to this platform. He has accepted every
stick Of it. He is no longer freesoiler, but
nationalist; he belongs to no section, but to the
whole party. He must break his word Of honor
before he can tip over this platform, and John
is an honorable man. His conversion is com.
plete, and the compromises-let us sing Hal.
lelujah for the fact-will last forever. The
platform will remain sound while there's
strength in hearts of oak. +.
Such were the popular original understand.
ing and Interpretation of the Baltimore resolu-
tons. But it was vulgar one What diff.
ferent meaning they assume when John Van
Buren, essays an explanation
The following is his view Of the question, and
shows how far he considers the "holy alliance"
of so binding and obligatory on his conscience
and that of his followers:
When the platform was constructed, / stood
upon it here and ventured to predict that the
State of New York would do SO likewise. The
action of the first democratic State convention
that followed this prediction, and the election by
an overwhelming majority, confirmed its truth.
regard this platform as Ia substance declaration
that The compromise measures inelnding the fagi-
tttesiarG iatg arctic remain nndtstnr6ed during the
administration Of General Pierce and to be faith.
fully enforced; that the slavery agitation is not to
be rcne,ced la or out Of Congress, Nnder any pre-
text whatsoever. This inuoirrs no appreciation Of
those measures.
This is certainly a new version Of the point
and purpose of the resolutions adoptedpby the
convention. We will soon need rariorum
edition of them. Meanwhile, we must congrat-
ulate John on his return to those ways of can
dor and truth which used to distinguish his
early days, when he was regarded as the "young
Ascanius" Of abolition.
II aciN be pe,ceioed that, according to his
opinion, the Baltimore platform 'oas intended
to lastonly four years The contracting parties
engaged to leacethe planks standing during the
administration Of Franklin Pierce, and no
longer At the expiration Of his term of Office,
the calumet was to be flung aside, the toma-
hawk unearthed, and the old rallying-cries re-
newed in the startled ear of the nation. The
war between State rights and abolition was to
rage again. The era of agitation was to re-
turn, and John to be at full liberty to raise
the old Undertook banner and return to his
legitimate mission-that of an eloquent rowdy