Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-26
TO the Democracy Of the state of New
York:

We address you, fellow-democrats, in the
language Of congratulation. We shall do SO,
we trust, with moderation, but with direct
and manly firmness, not unworthy OF the alacri-
| ~ and intrepidity with which you have sus-
| tanned your cause, and contributed to the sub
Stantial results of the campaign. When, on
former occasion, before the elections, we APP
| pealed to you, BY all the high and urgent con-
siderations which govern the actions of en-
| lightened and patriotic men, we did SO with
| full appreciation ofall that you would be called
| TO encounter, and the great and generous labor
you would be expected to perform. You en-
tered the field with what, to minds less determin-
| ed than your own, would have been great dis
| couragements. You had suffered for four years
| from the depression and political demoraliza-
ton OF an unnatural coalition, disguised under
the deceptive, but alluring phrase of "union
and harmony" Prominent politicians, here
| tofore acting with the national democratic
| party of the State, quitting their former asso-
Citations for ambitious or selfish proposes, seek
| ing the alliance of the freesoil faction, and
| aiming to carry with them into its ranks all
within the reach of their influence or the allure
ments of their official positions, had not been
altogether unsuccessful. The insolence, the
insincerity, the INSCRIPTIONS desire of domin-
| ion, and the resort to violence and outrage to
obtain it, on the part of the freesol leaders and
their allies, had rendered separation as un.
ayoidable as it was desirable; and you had
boldly not rashly, severed the chain which
bound us to the Promethean rock. All were
not prepared for the act. 1t was not under
stood by some, and was msrepresented by
others. BY the freesoil demagogues and the
minions OF power, the separation of the true
national democratic majority from its abolition
counterfeit minority was denounced as "bolt-
ing" and threatened with punishment as re-
bellion. The timid and time serving hesitated
and the interested, even among those whose
sympathes were in our direction, seeking Office
in the localities, were content to bear servitude
ifthey could win the spoils. All the engines of
power in the national and State governments
were brought to bear against US. The federal
administration, forgetting its antecedents, for
teiting its claim to nationalism, dscarding the
true friends and uniform supporters Of the
principles under pretended adherence to
to which it had obtained power, and taking to
its confidence and association the most malig.
nant and INSCRIPTIONS of the freesoil leaders,
denounced the honest movement of the de-
mocracy of the State, and elected from official
stations wellknown democratic incumbents,
who, in the exercise of the inalienable rights
of opinion and action, dared to stand with their
friends upon the old grounds of nationalism
An eminent and capable democrat, whose
| purity Of life and consistency Of public course
/ stood proudly in contrast with the freesol fac
tionists, was prescribed, hunted down and re-
moved, with summary insolence which has
no parallel in our political history. The power
of the custom house, with all its means of an.
noyance and intimidation, was brought out with
the utmost hostility. Every man within the
1 scope of its yengence was threatened, and all
who hung in expectancy upon its fayors were
promised. Vast sums OF money were raised by
CONSUMPTION upon retainers, and by the hope Of
Interior rewards. The army of postmasters
and place men of all grades we're urged or
threatened, and in many instances quickened
to unsual efforts to sustain freesoilism or para
! USED in their repugnance to it. Members Of
Congress- protesting national feeling until the
| appliance of governmental reward or favor
came between them and their duty to their past
| opinions and associations, took the field as
1 active instruments of power at Washington
/ and venality at Albany. Anything less than
entire servility was stigmatised as "insubordi.
nation and the old national faith as the heresy
/ Of "irreguarity.'' The abject doctrine of pas
sive obedience which our fathers resisted, and
which great and free nation have exploded,
both in faith and practice was never more
openly avowed by authority or enforced by des-
potism. In all departments of the State gov
ernment throughout all our great channels of
internal commerce, every independent national
democrat, who refused to succumb to this
odious tyranny, was instantly thrust from Offices,
at whatever sacrifice to the public interest and
the subservient agents of brief authority
posted along our thoroughtares to renden me-
NAL service, and to secure votes in this great
contest between power and principle.
i A body of patriotic men, entering such a
contest under such circumstances, with little
preparation, without organization, with re-
stricted MEANS and relying solely upon their
principles and the honest impulses of the peo-
ple--with such combinations arrayed against
them, with all the accessories of wealth, official
position, travelling emissaries, itinerant orators
belching personal calumnies, and ready alike
to nstigate violence, or to practice imposture
and, stimulated by government encouragement
and patronage, would have regarded a result
far less favorable as a substantial victory. The
cabinet at Washington, and its subsidized press
there, echoing the groundless and impudent
assertions Of their freesoil orators and presses
here, affected as much to deride our weakness
as to denounce our position. They said we
should not present show of strength, and
they kindly awarded ms, in the majesty of their
presumption, overwhelming defeat and political
humiliation. But when these interested and
vaunting predictions are all overthrown and
reversed by the actual result-when under such
adverse circumstances we show not only more
votes than the freesol faction and its combined
deserters from the national party, but CRAFTY
ing results in most of the details, and in nearly
every direction, how great is the real triumph,
how potent the moral victory for the present
moment. and how cheering for the future
Permit us to recall some Of the fruits Of this
great victory,
George W Clinton, the first of the nominees
on the national democratic ticket, leads the
freesoil and coalition candidate, Isaac Yer
4 planck more than three thousand votes; and
we have an average majority over our freesoil
opponents on the entire ticket for State officers.
To the senate the national democrats elect
eight, and the freesoil and coalition but two.
To the, assembly the national democrats elect
a decided majority over the coalition In Ave
of the senate districts, where the "united demo
cracy,' socalled, presented their nominations,
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