Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-04-21
THE CONDITION OF THE PARTY.

"The signs of the times indicate clearly that
the democratic party is to have a severe strug-
gle to maintain its ascendency over the com
bined elements of opposition that are now or
ganizing for the conflict Washington Union
This remark is very true. 1t contrasts, how
ever, very strongly with some remarks which
the Union has seen fit to place before the pub
lie heretofore If our memory is not at fault,
the Union has labored with much more zeal
than intelligence to induce the belief that
the administration was strong. powerful, and
triumphant; that all its motives were pure and
virtuous; that all its acts were wise and we'll
Judged and that the results Of its efforts had
met with the commentator of the country.
But yet, as faithful chroniclers of passing
compulsion to say that the administration is
not strong is not powerful is not triumphant /;
that the people do not think that all its mo-
tives are pure and virtuous; that the people do
Judged, or that the results of its efforts have
met with the commentator of the country.
But why, let US ask, is the democratic party
standing on the verge of disintegration? Who
places it in that position?
We appeal to the language of the onion
itself to prove that great peril hangs over the
democratic party. We appeal to the Union
itself to furnish proof that great dangers me-
mace the democratic ascendency. Having done
this, may we not ask how is it that the demo
cratic party, SO powerful and triumphant in
1852, is so weak and distracted in 1854? If
honest upright men, seeking counsel from
honest and upright men, had controlled the
policy Of the government, could such state of
things exist? ethink not and our opinions
are formed not without experience, and not
without some knowledge Of the narrow calibre
and weak principles Of the men who now con-
troll the public affairs.
The Union admits the exigencies into which
the democratic party is now placed. 1t utters
cry for help and assistance. We are ready
to help and assist it, for the sake of the demo-
cratic party. We will play the part Of the man
mentioned by 4Esop, who warmed serpent and
was stung by it. We will do the charity, but
seek to avoid the reward for poisoned fang
is not apeasant or acceptable recompense.
There is no Disgusting the fact that the demo-
cratic party, powerful and triumphant as it was
twelve months ago, is now supine, indifferent,
and distrustfu. There is no Disgusting the
fact that the elements Of opposition have been
growing every day. The Union has exhausted
lis ingenuity in efforts to make it appear that
the results of recent elections taught no real
practical lessons. But now it abandons, when
it is too late, its dangerous undertaking. That
journal ate its own words on the Mesilla ques.
ton; it ate its words on the Pacific railroad /;
1t ate its words on the Sloo grant; it ate its
words on the Nebraska bill and, after eating
them, threw them up and swallowed them
again-all the time pretending to speak in be-
half of the administration.
This time-serving and indirect course has
disguised the people. The citizens and voters
of the country are Disguised by it. They be-
lieve that the Union speaks, as it pretends to
speak, for the administration. Therefore a
universal distrust has grown up among the peo-
pie, even amongst the truest and sternest dem
ocrats, who believe that they have been .duped,
defrauded, and cheated, and that the high
places Of the government are surrounded by
mean, low, and contemplate men, that keep
off from higher sources every expression of
honesty and disinterestedness, and do but "crook
the pregnant hinges of the knee that thrift
may follow fawning."
We have much more to say on this issue,
but we do not wish to say it now.