Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-12
MIR. cocHRANE,s SOLUTION.

The charge that we have made against the
softshell Convention, at Syracuse, is, that their
platform is SO obscure in its meaning and SO Del
phic in its expression that it impossible to rely
with confidence upon it. Wetherefore appealed
to the remarks OF some of the principal advocates
of the platform to ascertain its meaning, and,
among others, to the speech of John Cochrane,
esq, of New York. But here we were sadly
at fault again. The explanation was a little
less plain than the resolution, and we found, to
our regret, that although we could see the foot
print well enough, it was impossible to distin-
guish the heel from the toe.
We defy any solver of enigmas, or decipherer
of obscure records, to give US rational and
consistent solution Of this singularly opaque
speech. And in order that our readers may
see that we judge not too harshly, we viii ex-
tract some of the glazing inconsistencies with
which the whole effort is filed.
Early in the action, we are informed by Mr..
Cochrane, that when he acted as an humble
member of the Barnburner party, he reeollects
their principles to have been "Freesoa, Free
Speech, Free Men," and he stands upon Ha,
platform nor." Now, if Mr. Cochrane means
anything more than miserable, bubble upon
the word .freesoil, he means that that word
shall be understood in its generally accepted
sense soil from which the institution OF
| slavery is excluded. Such certainly was the
meaning designed by the Barnburners OF
| which party Mr.. Cochrane's modesty impels
| him to say he was an humble member. Hence,
according to his own confession, we have this
one fact settled, that Mr.. Cochrane is Free
soiler.
Mr.. Cochrane subsequently uses the follow
ing very lucid and consistent language:
81 believe that in l84S, when operating for
the exclusion of slavery from the Territories
that we're free, through the instrumentality OF
the Wilmot Proviso, we were neither then in
consistent nor are we now departing from that
position when advocating the universal princi-
pie, that it is the right Of all men everywhere
in this country whether it be State or Terri
tory, to govern themselves"
From this expression, we deduce the conclu.
sion thai, in Mr.. Cochrane's opinion, there is
| nothing inconsistent in the resolution of the
convention on the Nebraska bill, and the vii
mot Proviso. We are thus again thrown in.
to doubt as to the real Interpretation which
should be placed upon language which is all
things to all men, and which changes its
construction, as the Chameleon changes its
color, with whatever it comes in contact with
If the resolution approves the principles Of the
Nebraska bill, then it is in direct opposition tc
the principles Of the Wilmot Proviso. The
one leaves the question Of domestic institutions
with the people, the other unconstitutonally
vests it in Congress. The one makes the PEG
pie sovereign, the other makes them the mere
colonial dependents of strong central gov
eminent. The one gives TO the people Of al
the States common right TO settle the Terri
tory with their property, the other denies thai
right to the citizens of nearly one-half of the
Confederacy. That Mr.. Cochrane, or the reso
luton which he advocates, can, at the same
time, countenance and support both princi
Piles, is quite as absurd as that man can serve
| God and Mammon.
There is but one consistent idea running
through this carefully drawn resolution, and
that is to commend itself TO men of every sen
timent and persuasion. There is but one con
sistent idea in Mr.. Cochrane's speech, and thai
is his entire opposition to the extension Of
countenance Of slavery in the Territories.