Washington sentinel., 1853-10-15

the rebel host, through whose detection alone
Gen. Cass was defeated. But noic, when two
strong and vigorous resolutions are added to
the platform OF lS48 by the convention OF 1852,
the fastidious gentlemen Of Buffalo leap upon
it, and shout more loudly in its favor than the
most faithful-and follow up their new born
zeal and devotion to democratic principles, by
sturdy demands for plunder, and the exaction
of the head of the traitor Bronson who refuses
to obey their sovereign bebcsts.
Was ever such insolent hypocrisy? Are they
to be trusted? Can tyedchery be thus reacdrded,
and constaacy be thus punished, without putting
the oneata premium and the other at q discount
Who would be true, when truth meets such
neglect? Who would not be false, when trea-
son obtains such a reward?
Now what has called for the circular Of
October Sd? What Judge Bronson's crime?
What has called forth the sympathies of the
distinguished secretary for those whom Judge
Bronson has declined to appoint? Has the
collector appointed any who are unworthy Of
public trust? Or are their opinions matters Of
objection to the "Smon Pures" of Buffalo
memory?
Is there to be no discretion in the collector
in making his appointments? Is he not to
judge whether applicants distinctly avow and
firmly maintain the principles of the Baltimore
platiorm?a Or are his appointees sodistasteful
that they must be rcmored to make room for their
hungry betters? And must these behests be
complied with, or collector Bronson forfeit the
office, which the patriot Dickinson declined,
and asked and obtained for his friend?
According to the rules Of the treasury de-
department, believe, it is competent for the
collector to ascertain by other means than the
invoice, whether it be false and feigned, or true
and genuine. Circulars to that purport have
issued from that department, and control
the action of Collector Bronson and others.
By the recent circular, it appears that the rule
in respect to applicants for office is different.
The collector is bound by the nroice of the ap-
plicant, however suspicious his appearance, or
previously Objectionable his character. His
professions of fidelity conclusive of the fact.
Now, is it not right when the collector receives
an application alroiced as of the Baltimore plat
form of 1852, around which, there hoyers the
scent of the Buffalo gathering Of lS4S, that he
should subject it to closer examination, and
expose to the gaze of the public the hollow pre-
tences Of those, who, under the veil Of fidelity
to party, the Constitution, and the Union, con-
ceal principles opposed to the settled policy of
the one, and dangerous, if not fatal, to the ex-
istence OF the others? We hold, that Judge
Bronson should do so and failing in this re-
spect, would much more deserve the reprehen-
sion Of the department than, when, like a faith
full sentinel, he guards the patronage of his
Office from the entrance of the avowed, as well
as secret foes of his party and his country.
In my opinion, if public patronage is brought
to the aid of any principle, it should be be-
slowed upon the most faithful adherents Of
truth-the brightest examples of genuine pa
triotism. To use it 10 buy np traitors, is to de-
moralize the government by making it tribu-
tary to vice and villainy. To use it in the be-
stowment of Office upon the true patriot is to
make the action of the government responsive
to the noblest impulses and the best aspirations
of our nature. The true principle-the only
principle that is worthy of the age, worthy of
our high mission as party, worthy of our
country-is, that truth and virtue shall receive
the need of reward and appreciation; and that
falsehood, treachery, and vice shall receive no
thing but the retribution Of well-deserved pun
ishment.
/ have not felt, and believe no Virginia de-
mocrat has felt, desire for the disruption of the
party in New York. or the Union. We are anx-
ious that the president we presented to the Bal
timorc convention, and that the administration
we assisted to raise to power, may prove by
merited success and by wholesome measures,
worthy OF this glorious party and those noble
principles which we shall ever sustain. In the
conflict which has unhappily arisen in New
York, breach has been made in its organiza
ton, which we cannot heal; but respecting which
we cannot avoid feeling a deep interest. Our
hollow truce of I849. We enlist underthat ban
ner which foated over the true party in 1S4S,
and which trailed in the dust only when defec-
tive and treason made victory impossible. We
rally to that gallant man whose truth has been
tested in adversity and in prosperity; who, in
the splendour of public position, as in the OBJ
security of private life, has supported the prin-
ciples Of the Constitution by maintaining the
organization of his party. When the war is
waged between the Baltimore and Buffalo men
of 1913, whether then, now, or in the future,
the democracy of Virginia can take no other
position than acih the patriots, and against the
traitors Of that memorable era.
For one, solemnly protest against the course
which the Secretary Of the Treasury has thought
proper to pursue, because / can see in it only
ruin and disaster to the party and to its princi-
pies Turn out Bronson and his party-and
where is the administration Ianswer in deep
sorrow 10 ttro,cs itself into the arms Of Me
speak with alarnl-I think I see an abyss be-
fore it, from which ! would fain warn it to
draw back. Be true, would say in all kind
ness to the administration, to those who have
always been true to the democracy of the Union.
Turn away from those who only evince their
good faith by an eager love for the spoils Of
Office when victory is gained, and have exhib-
tied their treason by a detection which brought
us defeat, and placed abolition and freesoilsm
in the ascendency in the country.
A VIRGINIA DEMOCRAT.
NatinnaI Gnriaeifx.--The Smithsonian Insti.