Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-24

Is the Democratic Party in Dangers

Is the Democratic Party In Dangerf
This is question of the gravest Importance,
upon which we propose to offer few refec-
tons. Another question which is behind it, in
case it should be answered in the affirmative,
is, show did it become so ?" The latter branch
OF the subject we postpone to a future occasion,
combining ourselves, for the present, to the first.
If history be philosophy, teaching by exam
pie, it must be instructive to consult its lessons
Upon looking back to the origin of our govern
ment, we are at once struck by the extraordi-
nary difference between its early and latter
periods in this particular viz: that for the last
fifteen years, the revolutions ofpartes have been
incessant. No administration since that of
General Jackson, has been able to transmit its
power to its political friends as successors.
Washington, Jefferson, and Madison were not
only able to maintain the ascendancy of their
party, but to hand over the trust which had
been committed to their hands to their political
friends. But in these our days all this is
changed.
After Mr.. Van Buren's four years, the demo-
cratic party was violently hurled from power,
''retortis rioleatis uadis," and the wings came
sweeping in like a hurricane. In four years
more Mr. Polk reversed the entire order Of
things, which lasted only for one term, when,
in lS4S, another tempest swept over the land
and again placed the wings uppermost. But,
as if some law of periodical mutation governed
the destiny of the nation, four years again saw
another change; and the slippery eminence of
the presidency is now again occupied by
democratic President. General jackson was
the last of those great men who handed over,
as legacy, the power which the democratic
party had confded to his keeping. 1t is not
difficult to discover the cause of his success.
The same sagacious boldness which constituted
an element in his military character was also
found to stand out in bold relief in his civil
administration. He placed himself at the head
of his troops when discharging the former duty,
and of his party when acting as a civilian.
\ The same system of strategy characterized
both functions. He fought the Bank of the
United States as he fought the British troops at
New Orleans. His attack Of the latteron the 23d
Of December, 1914, and his removal of the de-
posites in 1888, sprung from the same element
of his character, which we have designated as
sagacious boldness. The one gave confidence
to his troops and the other to the people.
Like the gallant Henry the Fourth of France,
his white plume was always to be seen in the
thickest Of the fight Perhaps no man living
in his generation, but himself, could have stood
up against the pelting of the pitiless storm
which ragged around him during the panic year
of 1884. But the people saw him maintain his
ground to the last inch, and they rallied around
him as a brave and intelligent people will al
ways do around leader whom they love and
respect. If the statue which graces President
square be emblematic of his civil as well as
military career, it is well represented as bare
headed; for Shakespeare has not more forcibly
depicted Lear, as exposed to the fury of
natural storm, than history will hereafter de-
scribe the noble old Roman as enduring the
tempest Of the political elements with no pro-
lection or defence for his naked brow.
1t was owing to his unfinching frmness
that he kept the vestal fire alive in the temple
of liberty, and placed the fortunes of the repub-
lie in the hands of a successor, alas incompe
tent to the trust. If the allegory of the statue
should be critically carried out, there ought to
be placed behind him upon the same horse,
small figure, with his arms thrown around the
waist of the old hero, to be carried into power
by the fearless sagacity of his chief
AS we have already said, Jackson was the
last of our Presidents on either side who pre-
served his party for his successor. Since then,
the ship of state has been alternately on the
top of wave and in the trough of the sea- At
present, she is riding gallantly on towering
height. Is she destined to make plunge?
That the democratic partyis harmonious now,
even the most sanguine cannot maintain. We
profess to know something of the feelings of the
south, and we say that everywhere there is
springing up that individual opinion which soon,
by the laws of sympathy and attraction, will
form that honest, and therefore omnipotent pub
lie opinion, which must be heard. AT present,
it is like those small springs which ooze forth
at either foot of the Allegheny Mountains and
meander gently along through woods and fields,
until their union constitutes stream sufficient
to float navies upon its bosom.
The southern people have looked upon the
struggles of the gallant Dickinson and his
friends with the same deep feelings which ami
mated them when they contemplated our brave
army in Mexico. Both were lighting the bat
ties of the country under the glorious flag of
the stars and stripes, surrounded by enemies
and far away from their friends. But far off
as the national democrats Of New York were
from the democrats of the south, they were not
too far to be reached by the consultations of
sympathy. Many an ardent aspiration has been
breathed forth for their success. Many pa
triot heart has heaved deep sigh lest they
might be discouraged by the odds against them,
and be involved in one common ruin with the
democratic party and the Union of the States.
Our hope is in the President. His opinions,
as officially promulgated, come like healing
balm upon the wounds Of his country. With
these as his guide, oil that is necessary is for
NH W pluce himseii IN the 'front.' OF the battle,
and carry into effective practice the manly and
patriotic sentiments which he has not feared to
avow.
PETER HEN, distinguished admiral in the
Dutch service, rose to that rank from a cabin
boy, and in a desperate conflict with the Span
iards was killed in a moment Of victory Their
high mightinesses, in respect to his valor, sent
a deputation to condole with his mother upon
the loss of her son. The old woman was found
in her original obscurity at Delft, and, in her