Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-10-28
A REVIEW OF THE LAST SEVEN
NUaETtVS

inaugurated on the fourth day of March last.
True to- the north, true to the south--the very
impersonation Of national democracy, his whole
party looked to his opening administration with
hope-his opponents looked to il without fear.
His inaugural was welcomed almost like a ma
tional song by the vast assemblagc that heard
II, and by the whole nation as soon as they read
it. 1t kindled that patriotic ardor, that gener-
Gus enthusiasm that national pride, which the
airs of the nation stir when they burst from a
full and skilful band. Norris it surprisingahat
our new Presidents address excited such feel
ings and met with SO favorable a reception at
the hands Of both democrats and wings. 1t
breathed the very spirit of American patriotism,
and indicated line of policy in harmony with
the times, and congenial to the wishes and ex-
pectations of the country
His cabinet was announced-m ministers and
other officials to foreign countries were ap.
pointed-changes were made in the offices APP
pendant to the several departments at home
but, with the exception of a little discomfort
and disapprobation here and there, as will al
ways happen when immense masses of people
are interested, there was general satisfaction.
Such was the confidence of the American peo-
pie in the new and gallant President such
their love and admiration for him, that they
were willing to approve of almost anything
that he might think ft to propose. But few
important events have occurred since the ad-
ministration came into power. The two most
important are the Koszta case and a case in
Pennsylvania under the fugitiyeslave law.
The former menaced us with a war abroad !;
the latter threatened our tranquility at home.
The administration managed the first with sig
nal ability, consummate tact and answering
firmness. The whole country broke forth into
praise of the ability, frmness, and true Ameri-
can spirit evinced in the Koszta letter which
emanated from the President through the hands
and over the signature of his Secretary of
State.
In respect to the case that arose under the
fugitiye-slave law, the whole power of the go
vernment was put into requsition to sustain
that law, which is compact and covenant be-
tween the north and the south. There was no
shutting, no temporising, no hesitancy, but the
President distinctly indicated, through high
functionary of the government, Hon. Mr. Nc
Clelland, his fixed determination to see that the
law should be fully and faithfully executed.
The President has thus shown, whenever the
occasion called for any such manifestations,
ability, frmness, and fidelity. He has carried
out the policy and principles to which he was
pledged. That Franklin Pierce is an honest
patriot and generous, heightened, and chival-
rous gentleman, we have never for moment
doubted.
But we understand the controlling exigencies
of his position. We see clearly and distinctly
how pretended organs and selfconstituted ad-
vocates have misrepresented the President to
serve their own ignoble purposes. And in this
behalf we allude especially to the dismissal of
Judge Bronson and the coarse style in which Mr..
Guthrie has discharged his official malevoence.
Mr.. Guthrie was engaged in sharpening his
axe and examining the neck Of the New York
collector for weeks before he did the murder.
He has shown himself capital headsman for
great criminals. He makes them suffer MS
much as possible in advance of the execution.
Nor does he decapitate them at once, and with
a single clean stroke. No, indeed, that would
be too much happiness for them. He reasons
and hacks by turns-frst a reason and then
blow, and after drawing through his reason
ings, he gives one hearty and final blow, and
rolls the mangled head on the block
| But this is a DEPRESSION. We said that Pre-.
sident Pierce has been forced into the re.
| sponsbility of one mistake, and that in
directing the expulsion of Judge Bronson
from Office. On this point we have written
much-the press of the country has written
much. 1t has been presented in every point Of
view. Some approve the removal Of the col
lector some disapprove it. Of the latter are
we. 1t grew out Of meddling with local feud
in New York, that never ought to have been
nationaized. Unwise presses changed the
venue from New York to Washington, and un-
wise and insincere counsels forced the admin
istration to connect itself with it.
As the mercenary hireling soldiers of Eu-
rope, that a century or so ago went from coun-
try to country, bargaining to Stay or be slain,
at fixed and liberal rates--as those soldiers were
accustomed, when acting in concert with armies
to whom they had hired themselves, to go into
battle under their own captains, their own ban
ners, and as distinct bands, SO did the Van Bu-
rem freesoil faction come into the national dem
ocratic party. They have ever since maintained
their separate organization. The old feud that
existed between them and their adversaries has
never been healed
1t lately exhibited itself in new aspect, if
not in new FORM The national democrats
felt as they were and are, entitled to the conf
dence Of the democracy of the country, of the
| cabinet, Of the President. Their adversaries,
the treesoilers, aspired to this confidence, which