Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-10-29
From the Alexandria Standard.
Judge Bronson,s Removal.

we do not consider that friendship Is best man.
iiested by indiscrminate praise, or enmity ne
cessarily eyinced by occasional censure. The
general policy of Mr. Pierce and his constitu-
tlonal advisers we expect to approve of and to
applaud, because they were placed in the posi-
ton which they now occupy because Of their
past devotion to the principles of the republi-
can party, and on account of the confidence
which the people entertained that their future
course In the administration ofthe government
would be but counterpart OF their former
lives. Our Jealous advocacy of Mr.. Pierce's
election, and the cordiality with which we
hailed his elevation to the highest office in the
world, does not at all constrain us to approve
acts which call for northumberland which,
IN Jeoparding the integrity of the party, en-
danger the success of its principles. On the
contrary, we should be forgetful Of the duties
OF an independent journalist, and recreant to
the cause of the true democracy, if we allowed
to pass without notice of our disapproval
any act which we conscentiously believe to be
wrong. Such an act do we consider the recent
removal of Judge Bronson from the custom
house at New York-in such light do we re-
gard Mr.. Guthrie's interference in the New
York controversy. 1t little became the exalted
position which that gentleman occupies. It
was eminently calculated to establish danger.
Gus precedent. Whether intentional or not. II
was essentially an interference on the part of
the federal government with State affairs. and
serves as an unmistakeable Indication Of the
alarming growth of the centralizing influence
of that government. Let us look to Mr.. Guth-
RE himself to see il we can find any iustifica-
ton OF his course. In his first letter, Mr..
Guthrie clearly admits by implication that the
democratic party in New York was divided and
disorganized. In his second letter he states in
plain terms that he wished to guard the collect
or against distinctions between democrats
founded upon local politics and local divisions
In his former letter he tells Judge Bronson that
lit so happens that your appointments have
generally been made from that portion of the
party to which you adhere;" another implied
admission to the effect that the question which
had caused the division was federal in its
character. Now, if Mr.. Guthrie knew-as
we have every reason to believe he did know
of the division of the party; if he did not
wish the collector to make his appointments
with reference to the opinions Of the ap.
pointees on State politics; if he was dis
satisfied with these appointments, as his first
letter plainly intimated, what, we respectfully
ask, could have been the ground of that dissat-
istaction? Was he dissatisfied that the men
who had been true to the democratic faith. and
suffered political martyrdom for indicating the
principles adopted and set forth in the Balti-
more platform was he dissatisfied that these
men had come in for share of the custom
house patronage? We cannot do Mr.. Guthrie
the injustice to believe it. We cannot believe
that southern man and a State rights repub-
llcan can have more sympathy with Dix than
Dickinson. What then could it have been that
called upon the head of that distinguished and
talented old line democrat, Judge Bronson, the
Indignation and resentment of Mr.. Guthrie |
We have it in Mr.. Guthrie's own words, in |
which he expresses the expectation that Judge
Bronson would recognise that portion of the
party as democrats who, distinctly avowing and
firmly maintaining the principles Of the Balti |
more platform, are entitled to be so recognised, |
in the only way that will carry conviction with |
1T. We do not pretend to quote his exact words, |
but we give the literal meaning Of them.
Now, there is no complaint that the bunker
democrats had not been appointed to office. |
And what can the honorable secretary mean
when he speaks Of that portion of the party
distinctly ayowing and firmly maintaining the
principles Of the Baltimore platform, unless he |
means the freesoil portion of the democratic
party who voted for Van Buren, in 184S. We
can see no other construction which Mr.. Guth-
rie's letter will bear; and yet, again, we have
him expressing disapprobation of Judge Bron
sons course, as stated by that gentleman when
he says: ut is possible that may be mistaken
in supposing that the reesoil section has got it's
full share of the places; for in distributing the
little offices in my gift, which have for the most
part gone among the rank and file of the party
have neither had the time or the inclination |
to do much by way of investigating the ante
cedent of men who were supposed to be all |
right men," Mr.. Guthrie understands from I
this and complains that .tfeesoiters have been |
appointed to office, and yet the appointees were |
taken from the freesoil section of the democratic
party--the very men whom Mr.. Guthrie, if |
we understand him, wished to have appoint |
ed. Was this course worthy of James Guth- |
RE? Was it consistent with the character of I
the statesman, or in keeping with the bearing |
of a man who dares to do right, regardless Of |
consequences? To complain first that the free
soil democrats had not been appointed by Judge /
Brcnson--not only to request, but to demand |
that no distinction be made between the two /
sections, and, then, when overmastered by Judge I
BrOnsons gentlemanly and unanswerable re-
jonder, to deny that he had ever intimated /
such wish, and to expel the collector from the |
public service! Can the officer who dismissed |
Judge Bronson from the custom house at New /
York in terms which, if in accordance with his
own ideas of good taste, are certainly incom.
patible with the dignity of his office-can he
be a colleague, agreeing in the sentiments
which Judge Campbell and Mr.. McClelland
recently expressed, the former in his letter to
Mr.. Benton, the latter in that which he address
sed to Colonel Wynkoop, of Pennsylvania?
"1he timid may .falter, and the treache,,ous
may desert, but the democratic party will con-
denim, Internationally condemn, this act of Mr..
Guthrie.
From the southside Democrat.
Daniel s. Dickinson and the Virginia De-
mocracy.
The New York Epeniag Past quotes some
extracts from the Norfolk Argus to show that
the true patriot, whose name heads this para
graph, is losing friends in the south, especially
IN Virginia. We find among these extracts
the following:
sour people will not consent to become the
victims of corrupt and truitorous demagogates,
bllndly bent on the accomplishment Of their |
own selfish schemes Of factious ascendancy.
h.n H.. s,.1, Ill