Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-10-26
THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER
AND TIE LEAGUE OF FACTIONS.

guage ana dlgnlhed manners OF the Ndtt0hdt
laieliigencer. But we are sorry that candor
forces us to add that its political conduct fire.
quently reminds Of us of men we have met in
society, whose urbanc department, dignity Of
carriage, and polished address, concealed bit.
ter feelings, corroding prejudces and cunning
stratagenls.
When the Nebraska bill was before Con-
gress the National Intelligencer opposed its
passage in common with the entire Wing dele
CATION from the North but it justified its OPP
position by the fear that the repeal of the Mis-
souri, restriction would stimulate agitation,
rather than by any argument to prove that the
restriction was constitutional, and did not
trespass on the rights of any section of the
Union.
If that journal acted in good faith, and was
really as solicitous for the preservation of the
public peace as it pretended to be-ifits course
had been regulated by an enlarged patriotism
and not by party attachments and party anti
pathies -one would suppose thatithad promptly
devoted its energies and its influence, when the
Nebraska Bill became law, to prevent the
disturbance it apprehended and to preserve the
country from the agitation it dreaded so much.
But the National IHteHigencer has pursued
course entirely different-one which does not
harmonic in any respect with its apprehen-
sions of disturbance and its fears Of agita,
ton. 1t did not spring into the arena and I'M
farl the flag of repeal. 1t did not demand the
abrogation of the fugitive slave law, nor did it
call upon the Northern factions to unite against
the Democratic party, and build up an organi.
cation pledged to prevent the admission of
slaveholding States But whilst it did not be-
come the open instigator of agitation, it
adopted line Of policy which was more effec-
tive in giving aid and comfort to Northern
fanaticism than any other which its position
permitted it to pursue. Day after day it pub.
lished and circulated the proceedings of excited
and fanatical meetings IN the North. These
proceedings were not published and circulated
for the purpose Of rebuking the dangerous
spirit which they manifested, and the perilous
propositions they contained. On the contrary,
they were published and circulated as the nat.
ural results of the Nebraska bill, if not the
emanation Of just resentment for such legisla.
ton.
This course of conduct was we'll shaped
TO encourage the Northern factionists. Their
heated defamation was thus spread, by an In
aaential journal, before communities which their
papers could not reach; and their motives were
thus indirectly defended, by the central organ
OF the Wing party, from the imputaton Of self
i5hness, ambition, and fanaticiSm. When we
remember that the proceedings published by
the National Lteligencer we're interpreted
with denunciatons Of leading Democrats of the
North, and Of the Democratic party of the
Union-all based upon the passage OF the Ne
braska bill-it is apparent that the National
Iatelligeaeer has pursued policy whose natu-
raj effect was to stimulate and encourage the
Northern agitation. But this is not oil. That
policy must have encouraged the junction Of
the Wing forces Of the North with the army
Of the factionists, and at the same time
penetration Of the Wings Of the South. This
portion Of the movement, whether dictated
by design, or happening from accident was
executed by speaking kindly, as in the Mas
Eachusetts case, Of the proceedings Of North.
ern Wings, based on Freesoil principles
representing them as opposed TO Fusion,
when their object was a union Of forces on a
Freesoil platform, preparatory 10 a crusade
against the rights and institutions Of the South.
Since the elections in Pennsylvania, Ohio
and Indiana, the National InfeiligeHcer has
not been able to conceal its qualification. We do
not charge that journal with sympathising with
all the objects Of the Northern Wing, Freesoil,
and Know.nothing alliance. We are willing
10 admit that it is opposed to some Of the de-
signs Of that dangerous combination but still
its hatred to the Democratic party is SO great
80 much more intense than any other which it
cberishes-that VIC believe it would rejoice at
any injury that party might receive, no matter
whose hand should deal the blow. However
this may be, the National LateHigencer in des.
bite Of the sentiment OF the Southern Wings,
has SO far forgotten its usual caution, as 10
manifest lis delight at the reverses which |
the Democracy has recently suffered. 1t
is plain to see, also, that its delight must
cheer the Northern factionists and urge them
on in the reasonable course they are pursuing. |
They cannot but be encouraged by even the
slightest sign Of sympathy or appreciation
from an influential Journal which has hitherto
been so temperate in its language, and has so
long been considered as the central organ Of a
large, wealthy, and talented national organiza-
lion. The course Of that organ may have re.
suited from cold deliberaiion. 1t may have
resulted from accident. 1t may have re-
suited from pride Of opinion, urging it to aid
n working out the fulfllment Of its pro-
,besy. Or, it may have resulted from lie
10 the Democratic party, sitting
or the time all other feelings. In either event
We trust that It viii pause and consider-that