Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-21


whispered to it what it might expect because
il deserved, punishment at our hands. When
the contest between the national democrats,
under the lead Of Daniel S. Dickinson, and the
freesoilers, under the lead of John Van Buren,,
first commenced, and from that time till Mr..
Guthrie entered the field, the Richmond En-.
gnijer cheered us on and sustained us in the
course WHICH we adopted, and which we adj
here to at the present moment. 1t joined with
us in deprecating any interference of the iede,
raj governmental denouncing those who
would make the New York question party
| test--and in encouraging the national democ-
racy to stand firm against the freesoll phalanx.
| When the combat deepened, and when the
Treasury Department entered the heid-when
the hour of trial came--it turned pale and fled /;
and when we saw it next, it was in the camp
of the enemy, ranged along side of the Wash
ington Union, which was fighting under the
orders of Van Buren, and company for those
whom the Enquirer had ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
those to whor.. the Enquirer had plighted its
faith
This is no fancy sketch. 1t is but dim and
faint outline of real occurrences, as we will
show by extracts from the columns of the
Enquirer itself. We have not a file of that
journal, yet we have accidentally preserved a
sufficient number of its issues to serve our pur-
pose. Promising that the Syracuse conven-
| ton, at which the issue between the national
democrats and the freesoilers was made up,
was held in the middle of September, we will
invite the attention of the public to the follow.
ing extracts from the Richmond Enquirer OF
September 20, 1853, the italics being our own:
There is no need of disguise or delicate cir.
cumlocution--the generous and conhding poll
cy of the administration has exasperated rather
than propitiated the factions and feuds ofthe New
4 York Democracy and we might as well accept
the fact as it is, and determine our course &C
cordingly. II is enough for as that ace find the
abolitionists and barnbanRers of lS4S-the men
,chose taaitorous assaults on the rights Of the
south shook tie Union to its centre-aTrdyed IN
fierce hostility against the gallant band o pa
hiots ,cho nnder the lead Of Dickinson, stood
firmly and fearlessly by the Constitution and
tie Union. We may bewail the sad condition Of
things-we may lament the utter disorganiza-
ton of the party and the consequent embarras-
ments of the administration, but we cannot
stand idly by in stupid wonder and unavailing re-
greet. The dictates of prudence, no less than
the obligations Of honor, in.pel the south TO er.
tend to its faithtul friends ohaterer encourage
mea and support there may be IN a free and
generous expression Of its sympathy and ap-
proral
The democracy of the south cannot be de,
ceived as to the merits of the controversy in
New York by the specious sophistry of a Dix
or Van Buren,. We are struck rather acih,
tie uzspedkable impudence and afiontery taa
irho noe denouace disorganizers and 'bolters
,citA such an al9ectation Of zeal and sincerity
We knon ,oho the boilers are. We see among
the chiefs and champions Of the 'sotts' Of tie
present day, the re1y men cho instigated The
Buffalo t.eaehery Of 1913, and who forfeited,
6y that act Of base detection, ere,y claim to the
respect and confidence Of tie democracy Of the
Union. On the other hand, ace see sta,sding to-
gether IN support Of a common cause, the men
,cho stood together IN support Of the democratic
party IN 1913, and in support Of the Constitu-
ton and the south in lS52-neR ,cho IN erery
crisis, hare been as true to the country as to the
principles and candidates Of their party.
ave cannot doubt as to the issue Of the con-
test between the barnburners and the hunkers
of New York. A molly aggregation Of spoils-
men and Buffalo traitors, standing IN uneasy
posture, on a platform made up Of principles
uhich IN their hearts they ALLURE, cannot con-
tend against men ,cho battle for the right with
the utmost sincerity Of derotion, and ,cto DIRE
sustained and animated IN the conflict by the
assurance Of the sympathy and good-rW Of the
country. The recent enthusiastic demonstra-
ton of the bunker democracy in New York
city, shows on which side the sympathy of the
] people is enlisted. The voice of an independ-
ent press will attest to which cause and to what
men the confidence of the country is extended"
| When the foregoing has been duly consid-
cred, especially those sentences which We have
placed in italics, we would invite attention to
the following remarks, which appeared in the
Richmond Enquirer Of October I, 1853:
" Anticipating a schism in the ranks of the New
| York democracy, we gave expression month
| since 10 the earnest hope that the administration
would by no word or act commit itself TO either of
| the hostile factions. A policy of neutrality was
the only policy which the administration could
adopt consistently with its dignity the interests
| of the party. Standing aloof from the strife, il
could claim the support and the allegiance of both
factions, whilst by enlisting under the banner OF
either, il would incur the displeasure and infame
| the opposition Of the other. Now, bunker and
barnburner are equally vehement in protestations
i of devotion TO the administrations bm tie moment
tie administration lends itself to tie schemes O,
either party, abdndonS its high position, and for.
sits that unaninauy Of confidence and support whieh
u nor enjoys. ... ... ....'
We never had the least apprehension Of the
conduct of President Pierce. As he steadily re-
sisted every temptation during the presidential
| canvass to commit himself TO any particular fac.
ton, we never felt fear that he would fail TO de-
/ mean himself with equal dignity and wisdom
after his elevation the highest office in the land
No doubt 1t scond promote Tie ambitious designs
Of certain politicians TO monopoli=e the Jator ana
confluence Of the President, bit he recoeets that h,
is the REPRESENTATIVE Of the acho party, and he ii
not TO be made he instrument Of any faction % as
piriRg iRdiridudk"
!" II is idle to deny that President Pierce acouia
lose much Of tie respect Of the country, much o.
| his immense popularity, and ,couM deplorabhy nm
pair the strength Of he democratic party by com
hitting his administration TO the schemes and for
tunes Of any faction, Yet if we are TO believe
the representations Of the Washington Union, he
is en,anged, deeply and irretrievably entangled
in the disputes and designs Of faction, aud thai