Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-22
THE IRON HEADs-ANOTHEH NEW
PARTY.

| The tendency of the age is towards the
formation of new alliances, and new associa-
tons. The complexion of things, in other
words, has become eminently partycolored.
Old measures which had their origin in the
early days of the Republic, and which rested
upon fair construction Of the Constitution
are discarded as obsolete and unsound. New
issues are formed which have no relation to
the legitimate objects of governments and
which have for their design, moral reform,
sectional agitation or proscrptiye tyranny.
Candidates present themselves to an enlight-
ened people with no further claims upon their
| suffrages than their strict adherence to cold
soater, and their disposition to prescribe the
same beverage to others. Others urge their
meritorious claims to support, on the ground
that they will agitate questions which do not be-
long to government, and which interfere with
the domestic relations of onehalf of the con-
federacy. Othersagain prescribe those whoare
recognized by the Constitution Of their coun-
try as eligible to Office, and confne their sup
port, on the mutual assurance principle, to those
alone who are members of their organization.
Among the number of these modern ASSOC
Citations are the "Iron Heads party which
is yet in its infancy, and whose strength as yet
is confined to its name. We publish below the
resolutions by which this new organization
proposes to be guided. To the principles con-
tanned in these resolutions, we have no objec-
ton. On the contrary, they breathe the pure
spirit Of States Rights Democracy, and, as such,
we heartily endorse them. But in all kindness,
we respectfully ask its members what good can
be attained by seyering their connection with q
party whose principles are identical with their
own, and uniting in an exclusive organization?
Let US glance for moment at the nature Of
these resolutions, and we thinkevery candidmind
will be satisfied that they are in almost every
respect analogous to the principles by which
the Democratic party have ever professed to be
guided. Wherever they have diverged from
those principles they have erred. The first
and the last resolutions are merely personal,
having exclusive reference to the organiza-
ton of the party. The second resolution
declares the Constitution to be the supreme
law, and sacred charter. In this the Iron
Heads differ from no party that we have
ever known, except the faction which re-
lies upon the principles Of the higher law.
The third resolution having reference to the
rights of foreigners in our country has ever
been an acknowledged principle Of the De-
mocratic faith, from the administration of
the elder Adams to the present day. The
fourth, which declares opposition TO all the
various factions and "-ismsn of the day, is
the same which has ever guided the Republi-
can party. The next resolution, il we under
stand it Alright, does, indeed, differ materially
from every party that was ever formed in any
country or in any age. To discard an issue, is
to discard principle, for a measure is at last
but principle in action. To reject princi
pie because it is Gold and hackneyed," is about
as wise as to reject nourishment because 1T has
been always used, and about as just and hui
name as the custom of the Brahmin, who leaves
an aged parent to perish on the shore of the
Ganges. Age has been always considered
the test of truth. That which has stood the
wear and tear of time, is entitled to respect
even if not to confidence. To discard an obso-
lete issue is er ~ termiai, universal usage
for as soon as revived it ceases 10 be obsolete
The last resolution of the series proposes no
new test OF qualification for ofice-and only
differs from the professed principles of the
Democratic party when taken in connection
with the preceding, which confines all the
liability, honesty, and fitness to discharge" the
duties of an Office to the Iron Heads.
In all candor and seriousness then, we ask
again, what can be gained by this new organi.
cation on old principles? fit is charged that
the Democratic party is corrupt what guar
anty have the Iron Heads that they, standing
upon the identical platform of that party, will
not also become corrupted?
We are, and we have always been, opposed
to these new associations, which ephemeral,
though their existence may be, are ever pro-
ductive of harm. The State Rights Republi-
can party, which, founded upon the Constitu.
/ ZION, mas Deeu nthrit
three generations, and vindicated its claim to
wisdom and to patriotism, is at last the safest
guarantee to secure the country from the mad.
ness Of fanaticism, and the dangers Of federal
aggression.
REsoLUTIoSs.-From the present state Of
distraction which prevails inthe two great
political parties of the country, out Of which
/ have sprung up new political organizations
believed 10 he adverse to the Constitution
Of the United States, and therefore injuri-
Gus to the best interests anu welfare OF this
Republic, we, in spirit of patriotism, &c
solemnly unite together to form political as
socation under the impregnable name Of
| IRON-HEADS, whose object shall be, the de
fence of the Federal Constitution, the main
tenance Of the rights of the States, the pro
lection of civil and religious liberty, and the
preservation Of our glorious Union: Therefore
Resolved, lst That in becoming members O
this association, we renounce our allegiance tt
| all other political parties or associations 4