Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-03

not only the fatted calf-but also the mutton,
pigs, and poultry were to be killed for the feast
of the penitent prodigal-surely it is carrying
the JOY of reconciliation TO too great a length
when you insist on sacrificing along with the
shoats, turkeys, and cali, the dutiful members
of the family also.
The prodigal had fallen out with the other
children of the family had quarrelled with,
fought and insulted them had stolen and in
cited to INSTRUMENTATION and instruction the
slaves of some of them had attempted to pre-
vent the slave owners from having participa-
ton in the patrimonial lands had used violent
and abusive language to non-slaveowners for
supporting the others in their Just rights, and,
after a system of outrage, had gone off, squan-
dered his own estate, and forfeited every
claim 10 regard and consideration. On his re-
turn, however penitently, it is pushing the
virtue of forgiveness into the confines OF vice,
for the Faters .famiiias not merely to welcome
him, but to allow him to renew the old quarrels
and actively side with him in new %strifes. Better
for the father to shut all out from his conf
dence, than to Danish the. dutifnl and welcome
the vicious to his bosom.
The administration may rest assured that
there is not philosophy enough at the south to
look with composure upon the Punishment of
Dickinson and his friends from their confidence,
while Mr.. Van Buren, and his allies retain it.
The south saw that band of men sacrifice
themselves for the Constitution and our cause;
they saw them inundated by Mr.. Van Buren,
and his friends because they stood up for us
and our rights. Those who surround the
President and interpret the popular sentiment
to him should take heed lest the spirit of fat.
terry, instead of stern truth, give utterance to
their speech. One thing is certain, it is
already demonstrated and will be proved
over and over again whenever an opportunity
is offered-no man or set of men can have
the confident support of the south who are
even suspected OF infdelity to the Constitu.
ton upon the question of slavery. And it is
matter of regret that the folly, temerity, want
of taste-or what you will-of Secretary Guth-
RE, placed the administration in the dilemma of
either submitting to defiance from Bronson, or
of taking sides with the ~freesoil democrats of
New York against the friends Of the south, by
his removal. Upon the slavery question the
south FEELS. 1t will not stop to reason. There
fore they voted for Pierce against Scott and
therefore they will shake from them like dew
drops from the lions mane," any administers
ton which gives unmistakeable cause of doubt
upon this all-absorbing, all-important question.
Party fealty is and ought to be extremely pow.
erful. Party discipline is essential to con-
tinued success, but far above both is the fealty
me owe to our wives and children, to our homes
and our hearth-stones.
This New York quarrel has been d~isreput-
able from the beginning, and the sooner the
administration washes its hands of it, and Of
all engaged in it, the better for its own honor
and its usefulness, the better for the safety and
peace of the country.