Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-09-29
THE NATIONAL DEMOCRACY.

New York has, for sometime, been the scene
Of strife and contention. The largest State in
the Union, it is regarded with a larger share of
interest than any other State. Whatever oc.
eurs there, whether Of a commercial or political
character, possesses an interest for the people
OF the other Slates-for il is the great heart,
whose pulsations thrill to the utermost parts
of the Union.
The contest that has been going on there,
and which still RACES with undated acrimonv.
between the two divisions of the democratic
party, has engaged the serious attention Of all
who take an interest in the politics of the
country.
The question naturally presents itself to every
mind-could not their dissensions have been
happily healed, and could not they have been
brought into fraternal harmony? We had
hoped that this result might be brought about
but our hopes were destined to disappointment.
Every effort Of their own leaders failed; every
effort of eminent public men, without their
ranks, was attended with the same result No
reasonings, no remonstrances, no entreaties,
could avail. 1t was quarrel OF their own, and
the making it up was their own business
They met in convention but to part in more
complete arrangement. The sword was drawn
at Syracuse, and the contest now fercely RACES
in all the cities, villages, and rural districts of
New York. Why this war? 1t is too late now
10 ask. Why is not peace proclaimed? It is
for them, and not for M to answer.
1t is for MS to deal with practical matter
The war RACES. Which party has the strongest
claims on our sympathy? Between them we
must choose, whether We will or not There can
be no shilly-shallying, no temporising about it.
The country has to choose between these seve.
ral divisions in New York.
Which has the cleanest record the "hards"
or the "sofs p This question is to the point.
That the "hards,' headed BY that honest and
eminent patriot, Daniel s. Dickinson, have all
along been regarded as national democrats,
no ono doubts or dare deny. They have al
ways been true to their party. They have
never aided or abetted factions They have
kept clear of al isms. They have never CO
operated with abolitionists frce-soilers or disor
gnnizers. They have always adhered to the
platforms Of the national democracy They
have been true 10 their brethren throughout the
Union.
How, on the contrary, has it been with the
"softs?" Their leaders have long been known
as disorganizers. They have fomented discords.
They have created factions. They have allied
themselves with the free-soilers. They have
hooted at the platforms Of principles adopted By
the national democracy They have erected
platforms Of their own. They have sought to
pull down the most eminent Of the patriots of
the old guard, and to advance the arch faction.
lists Of their own ranks.
Such are in general terms, the antecedents Of
the two wings of the democracy of New York.
Although arrayed in rancorous antagonism 10
each other-although the respective conven.
lions have nominated different tickets, they
present the anomaly Of platforms almost pre-
eisely identical The question naturally arises.
are both parties alike honest? We wish for
their own sakes, and for the sake Of tho coun.
Try, that it may prove 50 in the end. That the
lizards" are honest and true hearted, no one
can doubt They but repeat what they have
always held and affirmed. There is no new
article thrown into their creed 10 gain favor or
10 suit IN occasion.
On the other hand, their adversaries, the
nsofts," present us with an entirely new creed
creed, too, without which they would have
been hopeless and powerless. They have
given in their adhesion 10 tho Baltimore plat.
form. Suppose they had not done SO, what
would have become Of the ofiice-holders and
those who desire Office among them7 The de-
cree had gone forth that acquiescence in the
Baltimore platform would be required Of all
who hold or ask for Office. Just at the very
nick Of time, those who had deridcd and spit
npon the Baltimore platform penitentially re.
nounce their heresiee, and throw up their hats
and break forth in load hurrahs in honor OF it,