Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-10-29
PuRLIC opINIoN.

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We have hitherto RETAINED from making eX,
tracts from other papers in relation to the
questions at Issue between the different sections
ofthe democratic party We preferred stating
our own opinions and vindicating them by
such arguments as seemed TO MS strong and
appropriate. We preferred, in word, to let
those opinions rest on their own intrinsic mer-
its. But we have been SO much urged TO give
extracts from other papers, and indeed it has
become SO common with the presses Of the
country to do so, that we have determined, from
time to time, as we conveniently can, to pub
lish articles from other presses on these sub.
jects. We commence this today with a few
extracts which fully bear us out in the views
we have hitherto expressed.
Dkg~We copy from the Richmond Examiner
of yesterday the following strong article in re-
lation to the questions involved in the New
York controversy. We read it with pleasure,
great pleasure, and beg leave to invite to it the
attention of our readers. We take the liberty
of italicising portions of it.
"The crowded condition of our columns pre-
vents, to-day the extended commentary which
we intended upon the absorbing political con-
troyersy--so painful to every sincere friend of
southern interests and advocate of republican
doctrines which is now pending between Mr..
Dickinson and his northern colleagues on one
side, and Mr. Marcy, the Aaron's rod of the
administration, ON the other.
Many democratic prints are busily calculat-
,,,Er n al, 4
painfully endeavoring to fix their own latitude
and longitude in the premises. Those only
will safely navigate the dangerous seas who can
discard men in their calculations, and be guild
ed only by the compass of Pyfnciple-who can
disregard the clamor and CONSERVATION of the
crew of politicians, to calmly study the log
book and chart Of the lofty stars and armament,
which designate the path Of duty and right.
"The duty of the democratic press is to de-
fend the principles of the party, and the integ-
rity of the republican cause. 1t is under no
obligation to maintain the infalibility of erring
men whether in place or out of it. The day is
happily gone by in which the acts Of men in
authority furnish the sole unquestionabe rule
of conduct and propriety--in which the oracles
of an organ, great or small, must be received
by the faithful with the same implicit obedience
which was once accorded to bulls from the Va
tician.
"The press-evcn the political press is eman-
cipated-and the generous spirit of our repub-
lican people is found by repeated experiments,
to be more tolerant of the errors and hayward
ness of bold and independent journalism, than
of the time-serving caution Of those oracular
prints, which like oysters, shut themselves up
in prudence, and only move as carried by the
ebbing and flowing of the popular tide.
"The southern portion Of The republican party
hare earnestly deprecated the Incorporation of
Near York poiemics into oar national politics.
Theyhare from the first dmcRted The conside,a-
tion-the infatuated attention achich the al.
ADMINISTRATION has gicen to The political affairs
Of That State. Orer and orer dgoin they hare
expressed their surprise and Their modification
at tile .fact. They hare eadearoell---by acayning
each other Of the tendency Of these local st1ifcs,
to s,rallorr mp all other subjects, to the dest,uc-
ton Of o,tr achole national organisdtion--to
aacaken The authorities at Washington to Tie
danger Of their conduct.
"What has lately been their surprise and cha
grin to seeHe administration from being dtte,,-
tire and concerned spectators Of these local con-
tests, actually entering the Isis Themselves,
siding ,riM the party n,ost obaorious TO one halt
qfMe Union, and dra9gling Me ermiae ef State
IN the seaoers Of politics. That is not the worst
" 'sco '"oc' wv .JNO tfcJ race otttco ftJcIC
there ishe least political patriotism and purity;
that they hare formed al, alliance nth men
,cho ,riH either lead them astray from, national
principles on acW bet,ay item, and The South
along riM them.
$50 long dsHe administration stood dloof
from these local strifes, and dealt eren-haaded
Justice to both contestants their position acas de-
fensible they furnished the nucleus around
achich tie mhole national democracy coud rally;
their appointments from that scctioa of belii-
ge,ents ,chich ras most obnorious 10 one half
tie Union coad he defended upon national
grounds Of compromise. Bat achea they aban-
dan tie position Of neutrality and take actual
side octM an obnoxious faction against such
a,sn as DICKINSON, they compel The south Ike
acise 10 assume decided position. Rcfuced 10
that alternative, the chtcatJous and generous
south can do no otherwise than stand by Tie
men IN their trial acho stood By them IN their
oicn hibuldtioa."