Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-01


Missouri.
THE WASHINGTON "UNION- AND THE
NEW YORK CONTROVERSY.
When we established the Sentinel we resolved
that we would avoid, as far as possible, all con-
troversy with members Of the press Our great
and leading object was to discuss principles
and explain public measures without reference
to individuals, and without assailing particular
presses The task was difficult one. 1t was
more especially difficult with regard to the press
of the District of Columbia. But our readers
will bear witness that we have been mild and
forbearing. Whilst we have not been assailed
directly and by name, we have been denounced
as factionists and traitors by the paper which is
understood to speak as the government organ.
We have never desired to attack the Wash
ington Union and we have never feared an
open, honest attack from the Washington
Union. If direct assault should be made on
US from that quarter, our reply would be, Lay
on Macduf." But while no direct assault was
made, we have been indirectly assailed. Men
who stand where we stand--men who say what
we say, have been stigmatized as disappointed
ofice-seekers, and have been ostracised as fac
tionists, disorganizers, and traitors to the dem
ocratic party.
We have borne all this patiently-not with a
frown of hate, but with smile of pity. We
felt confident that federal and State patronage
supported by the championship Of a metropoli-
tan newspaper, could not retrieve the fallen for,
tunes Of the Van Buren, dynasty, or crush down
the nationality of Daniel S. Dickinson, or bind
the democratic party to the fortunes of free
soil faction. Being thus confident, We were
serene and composed believing that when the
national democracy of New York exhibited its
strength, and when Van Buren, freesoilism
showed its weakness, we would have no further
trouble.
But we were mistaken. We find that the
Washington Union means to keep up the war.
In the first instance, it begged for truce. We
were willing to grant it. But that truce was
hollow and deceptive-as hollow and deceptive
as the corrupt league of lS49, which Mr.. Secre-
tary Guthrie endorses as a virtuous and holy
alliance.
Last week the Washington Union, unmind-
full of its prayers for peace, undertook to palm
off false issue, and denounced the national
democracy, on an insane and imaginary
charge 1t affirmed, without the semblance of
truth to justify it, that the national democracy
was actuated only by thirst for spoil and
that their object was to make a particular man
the next President of the United States. Not
satisfied even with that the Washington Union
presumed to dictate to the Senate, and to
threaten senators-the immediate representa-
tiyes Of the sovereign States.
We bore all these things patiently, with the
hope that senseless infatuaton would perceive
its error and stop short, even if it did not have
the manliness to retrace its steps. But that
charitable hope cannot be INDUCED any longer.
The Washington Union, of yesterday insists
upon war. II listens to no whisper of peace.
IT demands a conflict 1t calls for n contest.
A contest and conflict it shall have, even TO
the bitter end.
The article in the Washington Union of
yesterday is not true. That journal does not
understand "the union Of the democracy" If
its conductors will examine their own files, they
will find article after article repudiating their
present position. In full confidence, and with
out fear Of the result, we assert that the files
of the Washington Union will show that the
Baltimore platform was never regarded as an
amnesty to factionists and traitors. We have
before us bound copy of all the campaign
documents published by the Central Committee
which was established in this city, to superin-
tend the last presidential canvass. And we
assert, without fear Of responsible contradiction,
that no man can point to a line or sentence
in the whole book which recognized the Van
Buren, freesoilers. Are men mad? Have they
lost their senses? Do we not know that when
southern paper before the election charged the
Washington Cnion with a sentence recognizing
The Van Buren, freesoilers as an integral part Of
the democratic party, the charge was denounced
as an "mpudent forgery?' Do we not
know that the Central Committee stationed
mere III dsntuELon, rearing INC loss VI
time, telegraphed that denunciation to news
papers in the south? Does not the whole
country know that the central committee-the
Washington Union-that all Of US assailed
General Scott from the beginning and to the
end, and all the time, by charging that he would
give power aud patronage to the abolitionists
and freesoilers of the the whig party? Know
ing all these things as we do, it is not in human
nature to remain calm, and placid, and quiet
while drilled and diciplined band of free.
soilers is brought into the democratic camp
and when brought in, demand the flag of the
party and the command of its movements. But
If self control could make us suffer all these
things in silence, yet can any sane and sensible
man expect us to submit to denunciation and
abuse-to submit quietly to the band of fac
tionists and traitors, because we vindicate the
truth Of history, and prefer the fellowship of