Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-02-15

lead to good results. But the feesoilers main
tanned their organization, and there was no ac-
tual fusion, although portion Of those who
sustained General Cass in l848 coalesced with
the freesoil organization; and the title of "sof-
shell democrats" was bestowed on them, while
that Of ahard-shell or adamantine democrats"
was bestowed on those who refused to follow
them.
When it was ascertained that the destruction
of the compromise of 1850 could not be ac-
complished, the abolition element of the old
Buffalo freesoil party fell back to its old posi-
ton; and the Van Buren, freesoilers, having no
practical issue on which to stand, would have
fingered while and disappeared, but for the
| growing out of a too earnest desire to carry a
State election. Indeed the Van Buren, free
sellers have dwindled away, but astute and
cunning management has enabled them to OBJ
tain recruits for their organization, although
the recruits they have obtained do not concur
in their sectional heresies.
The united soft-shell and freeson forces sus-
tanned the Pierce and King ticket, and theresa
lutions adopted by their convention at Syracuse
induced many, even beyond the limits Of New
York, to believe that both elements of that or
ganization were sound. We were not of those.
We placed no confidence in the interested
promises of men who had been guilty Of such
crime as the Buffalo treason, especially when
those promises were made under suspicious
circumstances. We could see in the naughty
tone of the Van Buren, party no evidence Of
humility and we could see no traces Of repen-
lance in their insolent carriage-none OF hon
esty in their eagerness for the spoils of office.
From the first we denounced them as men not
to be trusted, and foretold that they would pay
no more respect to the platform Of 1852 than
they paid to that Of 1874 and l848, when they
united with the abolitionists at Buffalo to de-
feat the democratic party, and that they would
desert the party again whenever interest or
ambition or revenge should prompt desertion.
We were not mistaken. The Nebraska test
has acted upon the Van Buren, freesoilers like
the spear of thuriel, and they stand exposed
before the country. Their votes in the Tam
many-hall committee, and their more recent
votes in the legislature of New York, when
they went in solid column against the Nebraska
bill, prove that we have not wronged them by
an unjust or an uncharitable Judgment. They
have fed from the first test which has been
applied to them. Pretending to be the best
and firmest friends Of the administration, they
are now in open opposition to the first measure
which has been brought forward in Congress
whose success is matter Of deep concern and
anxious solicitude to the administration. We
hope that those democrats democrats of
l848-who have been seduced into their or
ganization by false pretences, will come out
from among them. The time has come when
the sheep must separate themselves from the
goats.
Some Of those who left the national democ-
-racy of New York to enter the freesoil organi-
cation were actuated by selfish and corrupt
motives; others may have been tainted past
cure by the impure association but we trust
that the mass Of those who labored for fusion,
and who have opposed the national democracy
of late, viii spurn the men who have proved
themselves faithless to pledges, false to princi-
pies, and utterly destitute of every quality
which is entitled to confidence. We believe
that many Of them will do SO, and abandon
the betrayers to their fate. If they do that,
if they sever their connexion with the faction
lists who would stir up agitation, and come up
manfully to the support Of the Nebraska bill,
we will be an ongst the first to welcome them,
and applaud their conduct The votes in the
Tammany Hall committee, coupled with ex-
plantations we have received, give us confidence
in the belief that we will be able to extend
that welcome and give that applause. The
general abstract principle Of non-intervention
has been acknowledged. Let its practical APP
pziicdtion be sustained and all will be well.
The non-intervention principle was not in
tended as temporary emollient butas perma-
nent cure. It was not adopted for Utah and
New Mexico alone. The principle on which
the Missouri compromise was based had been
repudiated by the very men who now insist
that it is sacred and new basis was taken as
q full, perfect entire, permanent and final set
Element in principle and substance of the diff
culies growing out of the slavery question.
The democratic party is pledged-yea, and the
wing party is pledged also-touphold and main
tain that basis, and the pledge cannot be vio-
lated without dishonor and degradation; nor
can that pledge be kept in good faith, with
out repeating the restrictive and hostile clause
Of the Missouri compromise, and returning to
the true principles Of the Constitution so that
non-intervention, which was established in 1850,
may operate effectively. Let none be fright
ened by the threats of agitation. If agitation
comes, it will come from miscellaneous fac
tionists. But shall honest men shrink from
the right and turn their backs upon their
plain duty, because unworthy men, of little
real influence, threaten to raise clamor
They are powerless now but if their big voices