Washington sentinel., 1854-06-02
A auINrUpLE ADDRESS.

The New York papers contain an address.
dated the 24th of May, and signed by James
Maurice, John Wheeler, Jared v. Peck, Rufus
W. Peckham, and Andrew Oliver, members Of
Congress from the State Of New York. Most, if
not all, of these gentlemen were elected as ma
tional democrats, and their address is intended
as justification Of their opposition to the Ne,
braska and Kansas bill.
We were most reluctant to believe that any
representative of the national democracy would
oppose the Nebraska bill /; aud nothing but the
most cogent evidence could have convinced us
that any of them would manifest violent or ex-
trcme opposition. But we began TO fear, some
weeks ago, that few of them would be be-
trayed into false position by their hostility
to the administration; and during the struggle
nthe House Of Representatives, we were panied
to see in some Of them evidences of heated and
bitter feelings.
five understand the position and principles
Of the national democrats of New York, the
repeal of the Nebraska and Kansas bill must
be most acceptable to them. The freesoil and
abolition sentiments Of the Van Buren men
produced the division Of the democratic party
in 1913, and afterwards prevented the two
fragments from uniting cordially and honestly.
1t cannot be possible, therefore, that the ma
tional democrats Of New York regard with
hostile feelings measure which is bitterly de-
nounced by freesoilers and abolitionists be-
cause it repeals an unconstitutional restriction
on slavery and forbids federal interference with
domestic institutions. All the information
which has reached us from New York, con-
vinces us that we have not misunderstood the
national democrats of that State, and that they
do, under the leadership of Dickinson, Bron-
support to the Nebraska bill.
When we first saw the address Of the five
New York representatives, we hoped that it
would set forth reasons for their action which
would at least prevent some Of the injury which
we apprehended would result from the course
they pursued. But we we're disappointed. The
address contains but little which has not been
stated before and repeated often in every form
ofexpression, whilst it is well calculated to pro-
duce the injury we apprehended. In our hum.
bic judgment there is no merit in its concep-
ton or execution. There was no possibility
that it could accomplish any good. As an as
sault upon the Nebraska and Kansas bill, and
defence Of the minority, it is most decided
failure It's effect must be, if indeed it has any
at all, to weaken the national democracy and
strengthen their opponents; and whether it has
ton by those who have labored to sustain its
authors in the hour Of danger.
The quintuple address objects to the Ne
braska and Kansas bill, because it was not ne
cessary to organize those Territories, would
require an outlay from the treasury, would dis
posses the Indians or produce their destruc
ton, by leading to the cxtinguishmcnt Of theil
titles. These however, are considered as
minor objections by the siguers of the address
when compared with the repeal Of the anti
slavery restriction Of 1920, and the fatal effects
which they apprehend may flow from reopen
ing the slavery agitation. They do not pre-
b tcHu lnuC the MISSOURI FeSITlCtOu WAS CoHStlu
tional. They could not put forth such state
ment to the American people; but yet they at
tempt to gain favor for it by an effort to give
it the character of great measure of pacihca
tion.
Not satisfied with this, they allege that thu
Baltimore platform requires every dcmocra
to resist the slavery agitation. Not conten
even with that, theyseek to fasten on the friend
ofthe Nebraska bill the responsibility of any dis
turbance which may take place. Coming from
the source it does, this attempt is really mon
strous. Can the friends of constitutional legis
lation be responsible for the agitation whic
abolition fanatics may raise2 Does any ma,
believe that the friends Of any measure vii
disturb the public peace, because it has bee
sanctioned by the law-making power2 If ther
be agitation, then, where will it come from
Every sane man must say that it must com