Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-10-03
THE APPROXIMATION Parry.

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We mentioned, some weeks ago, that pro
position had been made TO form new party;
and that it was proposed to make this new
party purely geographical party. This is the
first time, we believe, that such an attempt has
been openly made, although factions have been
formed which recognized principles that Of
necessity confined them to particular portions
the country. The original "Liberty party
composed of unadulterated, fanatical Adolf
tionists, was Of this character; and recently
the Wings Of the non-slayeholding States have
entered into alliances and adopted resolutions
which must impress upon them the same char
acter.
Hitherto the slavery question, although it
entered largely into party discussions, has not
formed the distinctive basis Of any extended
organization. Until within few days, there
was not any Northern or any Southern party
formed on that basis. The Democrats and the
Wings claimed to be national, and presented
great principles ofpolicy had no reference
whatever to slavery principles which would
have been presented if an African had never
landed on our shores. But of late years the
Wings Of the North have been rapidly Adolf
tionized, until now they have agreed to throw
aside those sentiments on which they have
based their claims to nationality, and to become
fused with the Freesoilers and Abolitionists in
a sectional organization based upon geo
graphical platform.
The Northern Wings were beaten on their
old issues, and were forced to look around for
help. In the same manner, dangerous men
in the West who have been severely beaten
are casting around them for some plank on
which they may float. In their desperation
they seek to form q new party in which they
may find shelter, and to construct new or
ganization which may aid them in their designs.
They cannot gain Abundance into any national
party; and in their present exigency, they
fancy they see ray of hope in forming geo.
graphical party, whose great care shall be the
furtherance of Western interests by means Of
congressional appropriations. Ofcourse suchan
association, if it should be formed, cannot put
forth any claim to national support. 1t is the
expedient of ruined politicians prepared for
any desperate enterprise politicians who are
eager to create faction if they cannot form
party. e
The originators Of the proposition to form
Western party have not, by any authoritative
declaration set forth their views and objects in
detail. We have seen, however, expositions
from those who urge the movement. These
expositions do not contemplate any thing be-
yond obtaining appropriations for Western inn
provements. What those improvements are
and at what points they are to be made, we are
not distinctly informed, except that the con-
struction Of the Pacific Railroad is distinctly
mentioned as one of the objects to be de-
manded by the proposed sectional organization.
We have heard often of "spoils party" in
which the motives of union amongst its mem
Iers was affirmed to be Individual desire to
feed on the public treasury. But this SIS
larger aud grander idea. Whole neighbor-
hoods and communities, yea, whole sections
are invited to preconcerted descent in solid
column upon the Treasury Of the United
States. u
Surely this is a monstrous proposition, and
we have been looking for some justification of
it. But as yet we have seen nothing which
pretends to be justification except the COM
plant that SO much of the time of Congress is
consumed in the discussion of the slavery ques-
ton and so much money is appropriated for
the building of national vessels, the construc.
ton Of docks, the protection of harbors, and
the erection of lighthouses on the eastern sea
board. How the formation Of western party
can put an end to the slavery discussion we
cannot understand. We may not know ex-
actly where the west begins; but our idea is
that il contains some Of the bitterest and
most violent agitators in the Union. AS for.
the appropriations to increase the navy, to
construct docks, protect harbors, and erect
light-houses-the West derives its due share Of
benefit from them. The produce Of the West
finds its way to market through the ports ofthe
East The West is supplied with foreign
goods through ports Of the East, and the
navy is for the protection Of the commerce
Of the whole country. Woald the Western
party have the general government fortify
Cairo against foreign bombardment? Would
it have us construct dry-dock at DubudSe?
Would have us erect lighthouses on the Rocky
mountains Would it have us build vessels
in the midst Of the prairies2 But the public
interests needs all these things. The com
merce Of the West as well as Of the North,
the South and the East demands them, and
they must be constructed where they can be
made useful But the money must be ex-
pended there, and that is the rub with the Ap-
preparation Party. 4