Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-09
THE NORTHERN WING PARTY.

an article under the caption of Southern
Democratic Consistency; J" wherein it attempts
to show that the northern wing of the Demo
cratic party is equally unsound on the ques,
ton Of slavery, with the Northern Wing party
With triumphant air it then appeals to South
ern Democrats to follow their own prescription,
and separate from faction corrupt and un-
sound
1t Is singular illustration Of the prejudice
which is engendered by party association, that
intelligent Southern Wing papers should not
see the difference between the two cases. We
have never contended, nor has any one to our
knowledge contended, that the entire mass of
democrats at the North are sound and reliable
on this agitating question. But it would be
easy to show that while this Abolition senti-
ment has attacked the Democratic ranks in a
few instances, it has spread itself throughout
the whole mass of the Wing party at the North
10 use the language of the times, the cases in
the Democratic party have been sporadic, while
IN the Wing party the disease is epidemic. By
reference to the recorded votes on the question
OF slavery in its different phases, we find that
IN almost every case a majority of the Demo
Gratis OF the North, and even in the exceptional
cases, a large minority of those Democrats
voted in support of the Constitution, uphold
ing the rights of the South In every case
an overwhelming majority of the Northern
Wing party voted in opposition to those rights,
and In many cases the entire party stood un
divided IN that opposition. While it would
occupy more space than we usually devote to
our editorial columns, yet we hold ourselves
prepared to support this assertion from the
journals Of Congress, nor do we think that the
well-intormed editor of the Richmond Whiq
will contest the truth of the proposition
But we have other and higher grounds on
which to base the assertion that the Democratic
party at the North is sound on this question.
When by fanaticism or any other cause mem.
bers of the Democratic party espouse Freesoil
and Abolition sentiments, they find it necessary
to withdraw themselves from the party with
which they had been allied, and to form new
associations. Such has been the case with
many Of the Freesoilers at the North, over
whose early Democratic principles the Wing
press seems to gloat in triumph. Such was the
case with John p. Hale, who severng his con.
nection with the Democratic party accepted the
leadership Of the Abolition army, until he met
with his quietus from the true hearted Demo
Gratis of New Hampshire. Such was the case
with Charles Sumner whose extreme Peace
views, and ultra Abolition principles met with
no sympathy from a party whose first great
principle was the Constitution of their country.
Such, too, was the case with Martin Van Blu
rem, at one time the chosen champion of De-
mocracy, but who was spurned even BY his
most cordial supporters, when false to the prin-
eiples Of his party.
These eases and many others of the same
class prove incontestibly that the National De-
mocracy have pursued the very course which is
nowrecommendedt to the Southern Wings. They
have in every instance repudiated any alliance
with Northern Democrats whom they believe to
be untrue to the principles of the Constitution
fl We are as much opposed to sectional agitation
as any man, and we recognize every true De-
mocrat, be he from the North or the South, as
brother. Let the Wing party do the same ;
and if they can find sufficient number of
Northern Wings, (who are faithful to the princi
pies by which they profess to be governed, to
form northern wing Of their party,) then let
them unite We viii be the last to prohibit
the bans. Let them take candle, as did Do
genes in his search for an honest man, and in
the spirit Of candor seek for those Of their
party in whom they can confde. We win
even aid them in the search, and apprise them
Of the fact that, in looking carefully over the
records Of Congress, they will find in the House
of Representatives three Wings from the North
who were willing TO carry into effect the con.
sttutional provision. for the return of fugitives
from labor. They will not find single North.
ern Wing who was willing TO wipe away the
foul line of division which in 1920 arrayed
one section of the Union against the other
not one who supported the repeal of that
odious compromise, which has so we'll been de.
scribed by Mr.. Jefferson as "a geographical
line, coinciding with a marked principle moral
and political, which, once conceived and held
mp to the angry passions Of men, will never be
obliterated; and every new imitation will mark
it deeper and deeper"
AS we have said before, we do not deny that
there are many who have been numbered in the
Democratic ranks, who have proved false on
this question. But while we make this &C.
acknowledgement, We contend that they have in
every case been repudiated. Nay, more, we
assert, and we have the best grounds for the
assertion, that the first step taken by Demo
crat who espouses Freesoil sentiments, is vo-
UNFAIRLY to separate from party, with whose
principles be can no longer have any sympathy
and from which he can no longer expect any
countenance or support. Is this true Of the
Wing party? Are there not numbers Of
the recognized members and leaders of that