Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-10-14
opposIrIoN suCcEssEs.

In the great and destructive food that has
inundated Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana
the ark of Democracy has saved, we are sorry
to say, but few of the sound and National Dem
ocratic candidates. The results of these cleo
tons have been most disastrous to the hopes OF
the sound, conservative, constitutional Democ-
racy. They have inaugurated the reign Of an
archy and confusion. Men of loose politics,
loosen morals, and unscrupulous ambition have
been placed in the ascendency.
1t is much to be feared that the next House
Of Representatives will be an opposition House.
Ifso, twill be neither Wing, Freesoil, nor Know
nothing. It will be as piebald, mongrel, and
incongruous an opposition as was ever exhibited
in Congress. Should it turn out, as we have
no slight ground to fear it will, that opposition
elements will gain the ascendancy in these
elections, then the next Congress, composed of
such variant and i'll assorted materials, will be
a complete Bedlam. Instead of being an acting,
it viii be preventing body. What good can
be ELECTED by the clash and conflict Of such
jarring elements we can not even conjecture.
1t is possible that our apprehensions may
not be realized. 1t is possible that the elections
may leave us with a small majority. If So,
we shall be content. Such majority is far
better for all the purposes of party discipline
than an unwieldly and unmanageable majority.
But whether with or without majority, it is in
vain to endeayor to disguise the fact that great
and sudden change, temporary, tits true and
not on cardinal principles, has taken place in
the public mind. II is in vain to attempt to
disguise the fact that the immense masses of
our countrymen north, south, east, and west,
that united to place Democratic adminisira-
ton in power, have dwindled into minority.
in some sections of The country. What has
produced this change, we shall take the proper
occasion to say, for we have opinions on the
subject that are satisfactory to us, at least
No party can reasonably hope for uninter-
rupted success Nor is 1t well that such good
fortune should fall to the lot of any party,
however pure and patriotic. A little chasten
ing is wholesome for parties, as well as for in
dividuals. Nor should the results of the cleo
tons that have taken place, or those that are
to follow, however disastrous they may prove,
dampen the ardor or paralyze the efforts Of
Democrats. They should but quicken their
zeal, and stimulate the impulses of their pa
triotism. We have great contest before U.S.
the presidential contest Of 1856. Let us begin
to prepare for it. If present reverses should re-
suit in more perfect discipline, and in more
earnest and harmonious efforts, then will we
deem those reverses but the light Affections of
the hour tending happily to secure important
and permanent success.
Whilst we cannot repress our sorrow at the
loss to our party in Congress of many of its
useful and distinguished members, we should
not give way to dependency, but set to work
to do all that in us lies to restore them to the
position from which morbid, but we hope a
transient, public sentiment has called them.