Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-10-06
rr.E posIrIoN or PARTIES.

The position which the two great parties
hold with regard 10 each other il not generally
understood In many quarters We see express
sions that would indicate that democrats even,
think that the old party lines have been obliter-
ated, and that We are now verging or new
era Of good feeling.
This is great niSake. One which is cal
culated to do much harm to the democracy.
1t is true that the federal party no longer meets
rs on its old issues. II is true that no party
is wiling 10 come before the people rs the
champion Of the American system. 1t Is true
that no great organization presents itself be-
fore the people as the advocate Of high tariff
Of bank charters, Of special legislation, OF a
bankrupt law or Of distribution Of the pro
ceeds of the sales Of the public lands But
vet he would look upon public affairs in America
with narrow vision, who would conclude from
the present appearance Of things that the great
federal wing party IS dead.
The federal wing party is alive and more
than that, it viii never die. They who think
differently have read the history of parties in
this country, and the history Of parties in all
countries, with but little profit.
II may possibly be true that The wings and
the democrats will never have another encoun-
ter on their old battle fields. 1t is probable
that the wings viii never put forth protective
tariff, or a national bank as distinctive meas
ures Of federal policy. II is not improbable,
however, that they may bring up the system OF
internal Improvements in new, and perhaps, in
q more insidious form than it has ever yet been
presented to the public. But however this may
be, there is one thing sure and certain: the
feelings and the habit Of thought which made
man federalist forty years ago, and which
made him whig ten years ago still prevail,
and still have an active force with regard TO
the questions which are now, or which may be
before the country.
They make great mistake who believe that,
when the measures Of a party are crushed and
DESTROYED, that the party itself ceases TO exist
It more frequently happens that measures
proposed, distinct measures-are the result OF
IN antecedent party feeling and bias which
survives them, and which, continuing to exist,
deyelopes itself in other measures, and exhibits
itself in other principles. It may be that the
wing and democratic parties will never again
meet in fair encounter on the question Of pro-
lection; but yet the pre-existing sentiment that
induced the wing party TO oppose free trade
exists now in all its force and vigor; ana It
will manifest itself whenever it can do 80 with
reasonable hope of success.
Definite distinct propositions are rarely the
basis ofhonest political organizations. Honest
political organizations are generally founded on
sentiments and principles which show them
selves, and make themselves manifesto definite
and distinct propositions. Looking to English
history, we do not perceive that there is any
one question now in practical existence that
was dreamed Of at the time when the parties
in England first assumed their distinctive and
separate characters Yet the parties in En-
gland are as cearly and as sharply defined TO
day as they were three hundred years ago.
Within those three hundred years, Great Bri-
tain has seen all the yicissitudes that can
fail on any nation. The questions which first
divided parties there--all Of them have passed
away and are known only to the student. But
yet the parties exist there in al their vigor and
force.
These principles we wish 10 impress on our
readers at the present time. We wish them TO
unders;and-for it is necessary that they should
Understandable parties are based on princi
pies above and beyond mere propositions of
Legislative policy. True! propositions Of policy
are the things BY which parties exhibit them
Eelves practically; but beyond those things is
the spirit which is the basis Of party union
y. These remarks may appear metaphysical and
abstruse at the present time; but yet we think
the present is the very time when thc democ.
racy Of the country ought to consider them.
We see, on ali sides, from the democratic press.
the assertion that the wing party is oyerthrown,
or distrganized, or destroyed. Such belief
would be a most fatal delusion; and its preva-
lence would place our party il imminent peril.
The wing party is defeated, but it is not over.
thrown and destroyed. The whig sentiment
the wing feeling-exists now as strong as it
ever existed and although it may not exhibit
itself in its old forms, it will surely exhibit it.
self in some form. Therefore it is incumbent
on the democratic party TO keep its weapons
FURNISHED, its discipline perfect, and to give a
thorough and hearty support to the firm and
eminent patriot who now fills the chair Of the
Chief Magistracy.
EDA- JAMES GoRDoN BENNETT returned on
Monday last from his European tour.