Washington sentinel., 1854-02-11
"FACTIOUs FRIENDS OF THE Me-
BRASKA BILL"

The chosen word in the vocabulary of the
Washington Union is the word faction. 1T oc-
ours so often in its columns that it must be
kept ready, set up in type, to be used just as we
are accustomed to use pepper and salt. Most
of it's editorials for the last six months have
been lavishly sprinkled with it. All who do
not exactly agree with its opinions are de-
nounced as factionists and traitors. 1t should
be made more lenient to the shortcomings OF
its brethren of the press, by penitential re-
membrance of its own. Its course for months
past has been devious and unsteady-so devious
unsteady, and inconsistent, as to excite the
contemptuous raillery of its enemies, and the
unconcealed modification of its friends.
Under the above caption of " Factious friends
of the Nebraska bill" the Union, of yesterday,
presents its readers with about half column
of structures on the course of those people and
presses who have expressed dissatisfaction with
the resolutions of the Tammany committee in
regard to the Nebraska bill. Whether named
by it or not, we feel that its denunciations are
in part intended for us. Men and journals may
be denounced generally or specially, just as
birds may be shot in the covey or singly. Be-
ing one Of those who have declined to follow
the devious course of the Union, and have
therefore incurred its displeasure and come in
for share of its censure, we feel it incumbent
upon us to abandon idle ceremony, and to de-
fend ourselves The mode of warfare adopted
by the Union is not such as our taste approves.
it assails by indirection and condemns without
naming u.s. 1t is fond Of ambushes and of tree
fighting. 1t is certainly more manly to come
out in the light of day, to look ones adversary
in the face, and to say my assault is on you,
defend yourself
From the first we have been the steady un-
swerving friend of the statesmanlike measure
to which we refer. We have regarded it as
above and beyond all mere considerations Of
party With this single exception, whig
may, but democrat must, be in favor OF it.
No man can be sound State-rights democrat
(for State rights and State equality constitute
an. essential part of the democratic greedy and
oppose the non-intervention doctrine embodied
in this bill. Indeed, it has been announced by
the Union, that the support Of this admirable
mode Of settlement is the test of democratic
orthodoxy. To this test we adhere, and we
desire to hold all others to it. To those who
come up honestly and manfully to its support
we willextend the right hand Of good fellowship
Those who hold back and say nothing, and
those who oppose it more openly and courage
ously, we will turn our back upon. We would
not rake up past differences, however great
we would not revive past feuds, however acri
monious. We would quit all inquiry into po
litical histories and personal antecedents. w,
would seek for no test in the past, but W,
would regard this bill as the practical and onl,
present test of soundness. If men honestly Q,
for it, no matter what may have been thei
past course, no matter though their sins ma
have been as scarlet with us they shall be a
white as snow But those who claim to b.
democrats, and yet refuse the test, shall receiv
no countenance, encouragement, or protection
from us. If they have been false up to thi
time, remain false now, and promise to be falls
in the future, they should not, and they shal
not, go unwhipt Of Justice We now com
to the inquiry, who approve, and who oppos
this bill.
There are three classes of opinion in regar