Washington sentinel., 1853-10-14
ATTACK ON JUDGE MASON,
OUR NEW MINISTER TO FRANCE.

FREESOIL ATTACK ON JUDGE MASON,
OUR NEW MINISTER TO FRANCE.
In these times of degeneracy and demorali-
zation, the best men are the best abused men.
Those who are most conversant with billings.
gate are the freesoilers, and Of these the New
York freesoilers at present snrpass all the rest
of that malignant and scurrilous tribe. But
the extent and rancorous bitterness of their
venom Is never completely manifested until
they find southern mana national demo-
crat-a true and pure patriotic asperse and
villify.
True to all its instincts and all its afinities,
that leader of the feesoil press and Of the Van
Buren party in New York, the Ecenag Post,
has greeted the announcement of Judge Mason's
appointment to the French mission, with most
yindictiye and libellous attack. Disappointed
--maddened-in consequence Of the failure Of
General Dix, a brother freesoiler, to get the
post, it violently assails Judge Mason, who was
the innocent cause of thegreat disappointment.
Is his, on Is it not, an attack from The leading
.freesod press Of Ne,c York, on the ''poficy,n as
they call Il no'c-o-days, Of tie President and Of
the administration? Had General Dix been
appointed, the Post would have been delighted.
Had any other freesoiler received the Office, it
would have experienced the same satisfaction
and pleasure. But, when Judge Mason-a
southern man, an anti-abolitionist, an anti-free-
soiler, is appointed, the Post breaks ont in com
plaint of the administration and in abuse Of its
appointee.
Win not the eyes of people be opened? Are
they stone-blind? We fear they are, unless
this exhibition Of the temper and spirit of the
leading Van Buren press removes the scales
from their eyes. 1t is useless for any one to
say that the Ereaiag Post is not the leading
press of the barnburning freesoil party. All
know that it Is, and we doubt not that all of
the freesoiers of New York-that party which
opposes Dickinson and the noble band Of ma
tional democrats and patriots who adhere to
him-share in the wounded feelings of the
Post.
1t is needless for us to pay compliments and
pass eulogiums on Judge Mason. He has
filed many high public offices-more, perhaps,
than any other man in the country. He has
been honored by the people-by his State
legislature and by the national government
with high official position. He is known to
the nation. His history, his antecedents, are
all known. He has the confidence Of the peo-
pie and Of the administration. But he lacks
tba oonfdanoa oc tba Nau, yory G.oaso;I ,,o,.t,,
This we regard as the strongest evidence of his
truthfulness as a man, and his soundness as a
politician.
We suhjom the following extract from the
Richmond Enquirer Of yesterday, in relation
to the appointment of Judge Mason:
Minister to France.
BY the appointment Of Judge Mason 10 the
French mission, the administration have secured
the services of one among the most faithful and
statesmen in the country. In the va
rious positions of judge in the federal court
member of Congress, Attorney General Secretary
Of the Navy, President of the Constitutional Con-
vention of Virginia, not 10 mention other subor-
dtnate but not less responsible Offices, Judge
Mason has displayed sagacity, patience of in
vesiigation, an equabiity of temper, dexterity
in dissipating difficulties, and general capacity
for public business, which no man in the country
possesses in ample measure. Whatever is
possible in diplomacy, Judge Mason will achieve.
with the utmost facility and propriety, and with
the least parade Of personal pretenson.
In accepting The appointment of minister 10
France Judge Mason makes a sacrifice of per-
sonal convenience 10 sense of public duty. So
far from being candidate for the place, either
directly or indirectly, he received the intelligence
of his appointment with the utmost surprise.
Nor did he determine 10 accept the position until
regard for his private interests was overcome by
the persuasion of those who. appreciating his
capacity and his true southern feeling, saw the
advantage of securing his services at the most
important point Of European diplomacy.
GAnTAxU nTcrA rnx,e rsr AR