Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-17
THE MEETING ON MONDAY NIGHT.

We perceive that efforts have been made,
through the telegraph, and BY other means, to
misrepresent the character and purposes Of the
late meeting Of the national democracy Of this
district held at Cops saloon. We had no
agency in getting up the meeting, and nothing
to do with the resolutions which were adopted.
Indeed we never saw the resolutions until we
saw them in the narrative Of the reporter. But
we were fully assured, before the meeting, that
its object was to congratulate the national
democracy of New York. on the unexpected re
suit of their recent contest with Van Buren,
fr.esoilism. The proceedings Of the meeting
show that we were not misinformed on that
point.
1t is needless for US to say that the returns
Of the New York election afforded US much
qualification. We were panied that untoward
circumstances had given the temporary con-
troll of the empire State to the whig party.
But we had long been prepared for such a re-
suit. When the Van Buren, rutfians broke up
the convention at Syracuse, they took the first
step toward giving the State into the hands Of
the wings. If there was any doubt as to that
fact, Mr.. Secretary Guthrie's uncalled for and
unjustfable interference in behalf of the soft
shell freesoil organization, against the regular
national democracy, removed it entirely. That
interference was equivalent to proclamation
that the wings should gain the ascendancy in
New York, for it enabled the freesoil faction
lists to use the weight and influence of the
federal authority to overawe the timid and
influence the corrupt.
The success of the wings having been fully
assured and made certain by Mr. Guthrie's
conduct, we were forced to reconcile ourselves
to it as we best could, and to turn our atten-.
ton to the other points involved in the contest.
In doing that, we perceived, at a glance, that
the triumph of the Van Buren, factionists over
the national democrats, under the lead of such
men as. Daniel S. Dickinson and Charles
O'Conor, would be the heaviest blow which
the democratic party has ever received, as it
would dishearten the true men of the north,
and place the democracy Of the south in a po.
siti6n where they could be scourged without
the power Of offering adequate resistance. On
the other hand, we believed that the triumph
Of the national democracy Of New York, under
the discouraging circumstances imposed by
Mr.. Guthrie, would crush out the freesoil her
esy, impart new strength to true men every
where, and assure the country that the demo
cratic party was entitled to public confidence.
Under these circumstances, the defeat Of the
freesoilers in New York was most gratifying to
us: and it was well calculated to suggest to
the national democrats of the District Of Col
umbia public expression of their JOY at such
an unexpected and suspicious result. There
fore they called meeting on Monday night to
express their feelings and as freemen they
had right to do SO, without let or hindrance
from freesoil sympathisers-fro government
stipendiares or camorous Office seekers. There
was no purpose to denounce the President or
begin an opposition to the administration; and
they who have been laboring to require a sub.
servient support to all the acts Of men in au-
thority, as the only test Of party fidelity, arc
the worst enemies Of the democracy. When
ever democrats shall be ostraciscd for censur-
ing secretary because he ntcrferes improper
" and extensively in State politics, and seeks,
BY means OF patronage, 10 give nationality to
local confcts-whenever democrats shall be
ostracsed for reprobating an alliance with free
sellers, and for rejoicing when freesol fac
ton is broken down, then there will be an end to
the democratic party, for it will no longer be
worth preserving.
There was much confusion at Cops saloon,
occasioned BY a concerted movement on the
part Of persons who thought they might safely
initiate the performances Of Cochrane's men at
Syracuse, since they have been endorsed by
the Treasury Department. But still, these
gentry were not in such force as to put an end
to the meeting before its purposes were accom-.
plished They produced much confusion, bu,
they could not prevent clear and explicit mani
fes,ation Of sentiment A most disgracefu
scene was presented, but it was the legitimate
result Of Mr. Guthrie's course. When the
head Of the treasury enters the political arena
in order to sustain the conduct Of Van Buren, anc
Cochrane, backed up by band Of DULLES ane
49,
at that government officers and official expec
tants should attempt to break up a democratic
meeting in the city Of Washington. But we
cannot do better than close our article with the
following pertinent remarks, which we find in
the Baltimore American Of yesterday:
On Monday night meeting of the national
democrats was held for the purpose of approx
lug the independent action of the national dem
ocrats Of New York. Of course such an OPP
portunity Of doing homage to the disbursing
authorities could not be overlooked by the spec.
Mating politicians. The meeting was ostensi-
bly, peaceable and patriotic. Its objects were
stated in three propositions !. That the nom
ination Of Mr.. Pierce was in consequence Of
his declared hostility to freesoil and disunion
doctrines. 2. That the BALTIMORE platfor n was
not an amnesty authorising the renewed agita
ton of these subjects. 3. That the attempts Of
the departments to crush the freedom Of opinion