Washington sentinel., 1854-06-22
THE MISSION OF pEmocRacY.

The opinion prevails that one of the dire re.
suits which will follow in the wake of existing
ianatlcism is the dissolution Of parties as now
composed, and the erection on their ruins of
sectional organizations. Such result we would
deplore as fatal TO the success and the very ex-
istence OF the Union, but we see no reason to
entertain such an opinion. In our last paper
we referred to the probable schism Of the whg
party, but we attributed it to the existence OF
the diverse elements Of which that party was
composed, to the fact that two great principles
of construction were pursued by the same par.
ty; the one based upon latitudinous construc.
tion OF the Constitution and thereby strength
eping the federal government, which is but its
creature; the other attempting by sirict con-
structon of that instrument to maintain the
sovereignty of the States, and to check the
growing power of their central agent But
when parties are formed merely upon Sec
tional and not constitutional basis; when the
general welfare is made subordinate to local
policy, and when enlarged patriotism yields to
mere sectional prejudice and fanaticism, then
indeed would we apprehend the destruction OF
a government, which would be less q subject Of
regret, because Of its failure to achieve the OBJ
lects for which it was organized. To heal these
dssensions, to allay the storm of sectional strife
and to cling TO the Constitution as the only ark
OF safety in that impending storm, is the high
mission Of the democratic party. And never
was there time when that party should keep
its eye so steadily fixed upon the mark of its
high calling than now when it may be tempted
astray By the alluremeuts OF power. and the
corruption that so often flows from brillian,
success.
In the short space Of sixty-seven years there
have been three periods when the Union was
threatened with destruction, each manifestinr
itself in different way, but all due 10 the same
great principle Of federalism.
On each Of these occasions the principles 0
the democratic party restored peace to tn
troubled country, and hope and confidence t
the statesman and patriot. The alien and Sc
dition laws, during the dangerous administra
ton Of the elder Adams, gave rise to that grea
code of democratic principles, the resolutions 0
'9S and '99; the new testament OF our faith
which came not to destroy but to fulfil the
Constitution. In the history Of that period il
to be found one of the striking characteristic
of the republican party. The establishment o
great principle has ever been held by then
paramount to the mere settlement Of an exs,
ing difficulty; and thus the rent made in th
Constitution, by those great twin monsters Q
which we have spoken, was not merely patches
mp by compromise applicable alone to tb,
then present crisis, but was thoroughly repaired
by the PRONUNCIATION and adoption Of princi
pie Of construction, which has been found ap
plicable through ell succeeding difficulties.
Again, when the tariff Of ls2s--"the bill o
denominations its unjust discrimination
against one section Of our country, threa,enec
the destruction Of the Union, the dissensiol
was healed By sD adjustment which promise'