Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-03

Ia letter from u distinguished ana most re-
liable democrat in Virginia, addressed to a
friend in this city,.
OCTOBER %, 1853.
My DEAR SIR: / received your letter of the
18th inst. some days since, and am pleased to
lind that my views upon the present condition
OF public affairs are in accordance with your
own. Indeed ! am at a loss to see how there
should be a difference OF opinion amongst
southern men, either in regard to the Pacific
railroad as q. government measure, or as to the
controversy now existing in the Empire State.
frankly acknowledge, that with all my par.
TALLY for the President, and my anxious desire
for the success of his administration, l am not
satisfied. | shall, however, await further de-
velopments, and by them my course will be
regulated. They must stand up s%quarely to
the principles as laid down in the Baltimore
platform, or we part company.
This New York squabble has come to a
pretty conclusion, to be sure! How true it is.
that one false step necessarily leads to another,
1t is so, both in private life and in politics.
This New York controversy was a matter local
in its character, with which the administration
had no legitimate or proper connection. Those
who were parties 10 it should have been left to
fight it out, and if this had been done, others
would not nave been affected by it. The party
in other States would have been relieved from
all responsibility and could have pursued the
even tenor Of their way, without collision with
the administration. As it is now, | fear that
division and distraction in our ranks must
follow.
Mr.. Guthrie's first letter was, in nv view, un-
becoming the position of o Cabinet officer, and
reflects precious little credit upon his intellect
and his sagacity. Indeed, it ought never to
have been penned. The reply Of Bronson per-
fectly endorsed him, in the estimation of friend
and foe, and left him in an unenviable position,
from which his letter of dismissal entirely fails
to relieve him.
The administration has been made to appear
as occupying a position hostile to the true and
recognized friends of the south, with its sym.
pathies enlisted in favor of the barnburners-
the Internal crew headed by Dix and the Van
Burens, who have been our bitter enemies for
years past, and who have spared no efforts to or
ganize a northern anti-slavery party, to make
war upon southern institutions. Can we in the
south, without the basest ingratitude, fraternize
with these men, and repudiate our old and
trusty friends under the lead Of Mr.. Dickinson?
| humbly think not; and such / think will be
the universal response from the southern de-
mocracy.
The Union undertakes to ~denounce every
man as an enemy of the administration who
will not Justify and applaud the Interference in
the New York controversy and the removal of
Bronson. This will prove a most unfortunate
issue for the administration in the south, at
least, or | am greatly deceived and in less than
two months the editor will deeply regret that
such an issue has been rendered to the country.
My sympathies are all with the "hards,' and l
should feel disgraced if l could abandon them
under the circumstances, and unite my fortunes
with those who have heretofore betrayed my
party and waged a bitter war upon the cher
ished interests Of my people. They will find
me as ready to sustain them in this hour of
their trial as they have been on past occasions
prompt to sustain us.
The Union must change its policy, or our
party will be ruined and oyerthrown. Such an
organ as it has proved itself to be in the last
six months is enough to damn any party. Never
have | known an editor who has exhibited less
sagacity, or less capacity for so responsible a
position. Whether its action is rompted BY
the administration /, Of course, have no means
of deciding.
have written hurriedly and freely, and with.
out time for revision. But / have written as |
feel, believing that sincerity should character.
ize all friendly correspondence. Let me hear
from you as to the situation Of affairs in Wash.
In haste,
.Zf