Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-05
"LET SECTIONAL JEALOUSIEs BE
aTIFLED.0


the repeal of the Missouri restriction, excams:
"Let sectional .iealousies be stifed; let Sec
tio,al parties be discouraged by such appeals
as must alscays operate upon honest men de-
voted to their country and her true greatness"
We subscribe most heartily to- the language
Of the National Iatelligeneer, and we entertain
the hope that the ancient organ of the Wing
party will sustain its own words.by emphatic
action. That journal must, however, pardon
JUS for saying that it has done much, very
much, to give force and volume to the recent
outbreak of the anti-slavery excitement, and
has lent the weight ofits great influence to en-
courage those who were scattering the seeds Of
the sectional jealousies which ought to be sti-
fed, and laboring to build up those sectional
parties which ought to be discouraged.
The principle reason which the National In
telligencer gave for opposing the Nebraska
bill, was the agitation which the passage of
that bill would produce. When the bill be.
came law, the course Of the National Inteui-
gencer was well calculated to foment, encour-
age, and exasperate agitation. That journal
seemed to be resolutely determined to produce
the result it had predicted, as if regarding the
validity of its own claim to the power Of pro-
phesy of more consequence than the peace and
of the Union. From the beginning
1t chronicled the proceedings Of anti. Nebraska
meetings, thereby giving them circulation and
influence throughout the country.
These publications were not accompanied by
censure-nol not even by sign of disapproba-
ton. On the contrary, they were published
without censure and scattered through the
country rs specimens Of the natural indigna-
ton Of patriotic men who had been offended by
the action of the two houses of Congress.
Whilst the Nebraska bill was before Congress,
we considered the National Latelligencer as one
of the journals which deprecated agitation so
much, and as having SO little ground of COM
plant against the bill, except that which was
founded on the fear Of agitation, that it was
committed to earnest exertions to calm the
public mind and thwart the evil designs Of
northern fanaticism.
the Nebraska bill became law, the National
Intelligencer refused to aid those who wished
to discountenance factious opposition. 1t pur-
sued course which gave every one right to
believe that the wish was father to the thought
when it foretold agitation and excitement"
1t was soon apparent that the Wings of the
North would originate the storm, If one should
come, and all the cunning and experience of
tho National Intelligencer was brought into
play in order to protect them from the conse-
quences of their unpatriotic conduct. Even
when the Wings of Massachusetts, hoisted,
amidst unanimous acclamations, the Freesoil
and Abolition banner, the ancient organ Of the
Wing party, attempted to shield the Wings Of
Massachusetts, whilst it attributed the conduct
of their convention to feelings of natural re-
sentiment, and thereby gave them countenance
and encouragement in their wicked and sec.
tional course.
Since that time, the National Iateligeacer
has gone even further. 1t has, with an affec-
tation ofcandor and appearance of fairness,
urged on the hosts of Northern fanaticism by
grave censures on the disposition which the
South has manifested to resist the threatened
assault Of the combined forces Of Wings, Free
sellers, and Abolitionists. 1t had the cool
hardihood 70 exculpate the Northern Fusonists
from any faint of sectonalism, and to censure
and stigmatisc the people of the South as fac.
tious sectionalsts, because they denounced a
sectional crusade against themselves, and were
making preparations to meet its fury If it should
come upon them. Whilst things wore this
aspect, the National Intelligcncer insulted the
good sense Of the public by attempting to
place the South in the attitude of the aggressor,
benton forming sectional party to injure the
interests and trample on the rights of the North.
This conduct was equivalentto defence oil
Northern fanaticism for its effect, if not its OBJ
ject and purpose, was to protect fanaticism
from Just responsibility, to mislead the people
as to the true position Of affairs and to en-.
courage wicked men. TO prosecute their wicked
designs. But now, we hope that change has
come over the spirit of the htclligence's
dream. We trust that it is now--late though
It bs--sensible of the perilous practices il
has countenanced and encouraged. 1t ex.
presses its desire to stiAe sectional jeal
ousies, and discourage sectional parties Lei
II stand to this position. Let It cease to en-
courage agitation. Let it place the respon'
sibility Of sectional jealousies and sectional
parties where it properly belongs and it maj
do much to repair the wrong which party at
tachments has induced it to commit We have
much respect for the National batelligencer
and it would aff,rl US much pleasure to see
il retrace its steps and retrieve its errors.
DROWNING THE VOICE OF TRUTH
II will be seen under our telegraphic heat
that the Abolitionists Of Chicago, true TO Ado
A n - 80 Il