Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-01
ssl,a From the Virginia Valley Democrat.
Secretary Guthrie,s Letter.

independent expression OF thought is one of
the prerogatives Of freemen. Blind adhesion
TO party under every circumstance is slavish,
and very often iniringes upon that Independence
Of action and expression of opinion which
should always guide freemen in the discharge
Of their duty to society and the interests of their
country. None can charge MS with infdelity to
the democratic party, its principles or its men.
We have sustained the time honored fac of de-
mocracy through evil and good report with
an energy that never tired, and with a devotion
that never abated. We believe the principles
Of the democratic party as expounded by its
fathers, If carried into effect, will rebound to
the honor and prosperity Of the Union. But
while this has been our action and our opinion,
we cannot sacrifice orr independence Of thought
by approving everything sanctioned by demo
cratic hands, which our conscience may con-
denim. We have endeavored to sustain the
policy of President Pierce in consolidating the
democratic party, and uniting its fragments in
one harmonious whole, but while we have done
this, we are not prepared to sanction the I'M
warrantable interference Of Secretary Guthrie
in the New York dispute. We regard that let
ter as indiscreet, injudicious, and disgrace to
the national democratic party; an outrage
that should not be suffered to pass by without
condemnation by the democratic press Secre.
ttary Guthrie had no right to place the demo
cratic party in the position Of sympathizers with
the sscftsn of the Empire State. The demo
cratic party Of the south repudiate in toto the
position, and disclaim any participation in
the feud. While no southern man can fail to
sympathize with the noble, generous and chiv-
lalric Dickinson and, his faithful followers, vet
prudence would dictate that they should refuse
to interfere in the squabble. But Mr.. Guthrie
has made this difficulty in New York a national
matter, and places the administration on the
side of the notorious Dix and his freesoil asso-
ciates. 1t is the most bungling and short
sighted policy that was ever attempted by
statesman, and cannot fail to be Of serious detri-
ment to the democratic party. The admins
traitor. should have taken bold and command
ing position in regard to this scufe, and applied
the gnillotine to the noisy malcontents, thereby
discountenancing any hostility to the policy
adopted by the administration If it were a
squabble over the "spoils,n as it has been init
mated, the withdrawal of this bone of conten
ton from the participators in the squaDble
would have been effectual, and silenced the
clamors of the disaffected and insubordinate.
But as it is now, by the bungling policy of Mr..
Guthrie, reproach has been brought upon the
whole democratic party, and democrats have
been forced to rest under the imputation Of
sympathizers with the New York freesoers, or
openly denounce the course pursued. This we
feeh no hesitancy in doing, and declaring our
sympathies are with the "hards in this struggle.
While we believe the administration has been
In error in this matter, our confidence is unsha-
ken in; its patriotism, There never was
President who went into office with more diff
cnlties to encounter. He was borne into the
presidential chair by a breeze of appreciation
never before witnessed in our government 1t
cannot be said that this popularity was alto
gether the result of the confidence in democratic
policy, butt was owing partly to the want of
confidence in the candidate of the whigs and
therefore, the supporters of Gen. Pierce we're
made up of discordant elements and rendered
his position more trying and perpleximg. The
object of the President was to harmonic the
fragments of the party. He made, therefore,
no distinction among those who supported the
candidates of the party in the contest of 1852.
The past was blotted ont. But he attempted
that which the experience of the world has
proven to be impossible, the uniting ofextremes
and factions. He has failed, as might have
been expected. 1t was an error of the head
which is unworthy of comprehensive states
man. Public plumber can never satisfy the de-
based and unprincipled, and oil the offices in
the gift of the government could never make
honest men out of the band of traitors who
betrayed the democratic party in 1913. 1t may
appease them for awhile, but party held to-
gether by the cohesive desire of public plum
der can never live out of the elements Of cor.
ruption, and whenever the emoluments Of Office
are withdrawn they will return to their traitor
Gus designs, and sting the hand that had nour-
ished them.
u We have never seen the necessity Of the adj |
ADMINISTRATION interfering in this squabble. It is
an official intermeddling thatlo the dignity
Of the Office, and brings contempt and disgrace
upon the party in power. lthas done no good,
but has fomented dissension and laid thefoun-
dalton Of extreme wrangling in the democratic
ranks.