Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-01-21
THE cLoyEN FOOT AT LAST,


THE cLoyEN FOOT AT LAST,
Since the time when we perceived that the
Washington Union entered into an alliance
with the New York Iti6tnas and Times, both
OF which are whig-sbolition journals, and with
The Albany -ilas and New York Erening Post,
which are aemocratic,abolition journals, we
have expected every morning that the Wash
Ington Union would show its utter and entire
des;itution Of all political soundness.
We have not been disappointed. a few days
agothe " ashington Union undertook to assumea
virtue Thichit had not, and with hated breath and
trembling nerves; and palid face and shivering
limbs, it ventured TO hiut-to suggest--in the
most meek eyed manner that It's abolition con-
frere of Albany was wrong with regard to the
Nebraska bill. But the Albany Argus stands
firm, and the Washington Union becomes soft,
Ike fresh butter in August
The Washington Union Of yesterday de-
noGuees those who would give the compromise
Of 1850 fair play in Nebraska, by removing all
Obstacles to its full and free and untrammelled
operation there 1t has the audacitv even to
denounce those who would simply, to make as
surance doubly sure and to put an end to agi
tation repeal by express terms that portion of
the Missouri compromise which curbs and re-
strains the compromise Of 1850, whilst Ne
braska remains territcry. ~
The Washington Unaoa admits that the Mis-
c--,- commemorative v-sr --1nr3r-:-,-;o,.l Tho
Washington Tnsoz preiends to admit that the
principles Cd The eoupromiseofl 1850 constituted
not only final, but a full, perfect, and complete
settlement of the slavery agitation. But now
thai sapient journal comes forth and demands
precedence for the Missouri compromise as FIX
ing the territorial condition of Nebraska, and
dendunces any attempt to repeal that unconsti-
tutional aer, IN order 10 give force and virtue to
the Baltimore platform.
The disingeuaousness of this course of ac-
ton can be equalled only by the motives which
prompted it. The Washington Union having tar
nisted its virtue and entered into an alliance
with dishonest men, finds itself in most unen-
viabe and Notifying position. 1t has not the
manly straight forward courage to retract and
apologize for the wrong it has done; and there
fore it must follow its seducers even to deeper
infany. Such is the path of erring men as
we'll az Of erring women, if resolution and cour-
aye stimulated by recurring sense of virtue
cannot bring forth contrition and repentance.
The Albany Atlas---the old Van Buren, freesoil
orran---is satisfied with the condition Of Ne
braska if the auti-slapery restriction Of 1920 is
applied 10 it whilst a territory; and the Wash
ugton Eiaon must bow its head and be salts
fed too although it attempts to humbug and
oambooz'e the south by stating that in The" al
stguc9 the Missouri restriction which II pro-
tects and defends against the principles Of the
compromise Of 1850, is in violation Of the Con
stitution OF the United States 1t is said that
misery makes strange bed fellows and we say
that something besides misery--improper pur-
poses, impure motives, and unpatriotfc designs,
make as strange bed-felIows az misery has ever
made or will ever make.
But it may be said that we deal harshIy and
cruelty with the Washington Union Fewthings
could give us more pain than the proof Of such
charge against us; because we pride ourselves
on being kind, amiable, and forbearing. To
Vindicate ourselves on this point, we must beg
leave TO make the following quotations from
recent issues of the Washington Onion.
In speaking of Judge Douglas Nebraska
bill, the Washington Union said on the fifth Of
this month:
"NEBRAsKA--MR. DOUGLAS REpoRT.-Tup
CoNPRoMIsE.-The report submitted 10 the
Senate on yesterday BY Mr.. Douglas, chairman
of the Committee on Territories in the Senate
in regard to a territorial government for Ne
braska, will be read with profund interest
This subject has been looked to with serious
Z apprehensions, in consequence of the suppo-
sition that it might fearfully revive the slavery
agitation. Mr.. Douglas was fully impressed
with the importance and delicacy Of the issue
involved, and has devoted the full power of his
capacious mind TO its investigation He has
arrived at conclusions which seem to us to be
unassailable. He plants himself resolutely
upon the compromise of 1850 as a final settle
ment--not final merely as to the territories then
in dispute, bat final as to all future legislation
for territorial governments.
adopting this as the basis of his action, he
has applied the great pacific principles of the
compromise measures Of 1850 to the bill for
organizing the Nebraska Territory. He goes
further, and extends the provisions of the fugi-
tiYe,slave law TO the Territories. The reason
ing Of Judge Douglas strikes our mind as I'M
answerable, and we indulge the confident hope
that the propositions submitted by him will be
unhesitatingly affirmed by Congress. They
present practical test Of the sincerity of the
covenant entered into by the democratic party
at Baltimore. II the principles Of the compro.
mise, as brought forward in the Nebraska bill,