Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-19
THE NEW ORLEANS DELTA ON THE
BALTIMORE PLATFORM, AND THE
VAN buren, VERSION OF 1T.

We publish today very able and well writ
ten article from tie New Orleans Delta. Its
statements are well put; but yet it contains re-
marks which we % not approve Of For in
stance, we object 10 the manner in which the
compromise is mentioned, and we believe that
full justice is not done to Mr.. Polk. But, con.
Quoting an independent press, it is not our
habit to erase even from our correspond
ence, much less from our extracts Our
purpose is to present public opinion to men in
authority, for it Is necessary, for the safety of
the country, that the honest, virtuous public
opinion shall have its full weight.
When anything can be gained by represent.
ing John Van Buren, and his allies as having
repented of and abandoned freesoilism, the as
sertion is unblushingly made that, by virtue Of
such repentance and abandonment, they are
good, honest national democrats When, on
the other hand, any responsibility can be got
ten rid of by separating him from the softs, as
they are called, and making him out a free
soiler, that is done in the same INSCRIPTIONS
and unblushing manner. Now, what is John
Van Buren,? He is both soft and free
soiler. He is the leader and chief of the softs
and the freesoilers. The article which we
copy from the Delta shows, on his own au-
thority, that he considers himself bound by
the Baltimore platform only during the con-
tinuance Of the present administration. AT its
expiration then he will consider himself au.
thorized to renew agitation on the slavery
question.
Moreover, he considers himself as bound only
by the specified stipuations of that contract
he and all his allies, the softs Cuba is not
named in this "bond' How will he and his
allies act should the Cuban question be sprung
upon us? What has the south--what have the
national democrats-what has the administra-
ton to expect at his and their hands. We but
throw out this question--for our crowded col
umns will not admit Of our dilating on the idea.
If confidence is given to the softs and the free
soilers, and withdrawn from the national con.
stitutional democrats Of New York and the
north generally, deplorable indeed will be our
condition when the Cuba question comes up
as come it doubtless will. These things should
be the subject Of serious reflection. But We
will no longer. detain our readers from the fol.
lowing extract:
The Baltimore Platform, 49,.
WITH THE LATE IMPROVEMENTS AND ALTERATIONS
SUGGESTED ny JOHN VAN BUREN, RETRO
sPECT AND A WARNING. .",..
The mask is off at last, and the real value 81
the Baltimore compromises Of 1852 is clearly in
Dictated by one Of the most prominent parties to
the arrangement. John Van Buren, has given
us, at the eleventh hour, his estimate Of theil
intrinsic worth and probable duration.
We cannot be inattentive to the words o.
John. He is the ablest of his clan; the fore
most freesoiler Of them all the most ready
though the most licentious in debate; the bodies
and most INSCRIPTIONS in action; the Cory
phaus, in word, of the dangerous principles
which have leayened the politics Of New Yorl
ever since the presidential disappointment o
his subtle and scheming father.
| We like candor, and John is candid. He hal
rarely been mealy-mouthed in expressing hi
views on the agitation of the slavery question
While it was difficult to fix the exact places Q
other leading disturbers who coquetted will
abolition, while the position OF Seward himsel
was somewhat equivocal, the opinions and pc
litical status of this heir to the Van Buren, no
toriety, we're not mistaken for moment Thu
south never saw him anywhere but in the rank.
of her enemies. His helm, like Henry thu
Fourth's, was the "oriHamme Of war; Hi
words acted like rallying-cry, and his inau
ence was felt, as an inspiration from one wins
Of the rebellous array Of freesoilers tothe other
He personifed the restless and reckless disaf
fiction Of New York. .
It is true he forgot his characteristic cando
during some months, and even went the length
OF deceiving many Of his friends and enemies
He became a patriot suddenly, and was ever
suspected Of falling desperately in love with
the Union. He stood upon the Baltimore plat
form and struck q most becoming attitude
All parties looked mp to him with amazement
Some regretted his recresncy, and there wal
wailing and crashing Of teeth amongst the