Washington sentinel., 1854-03-26
a BALANCE OF POWER PARTY.

~
In the eonvulsions, strifes, and changes of
politics, organizations of men known as balance
of power parties are not unusual. Such or
ganizations are sometimes composed Of men
who separate themselves from one Of the great
parties of the country sometimes of men who
have been connected with both parties, but who,
from some motive or other, have become dissat-
isfed and disaffected. When parties are nicely
balanced, the withdrawal from their ranks of
few persons, who will not agree to carry out
the views of either, but insist on the adoption
of their own views, paralyze and render pow
erless such parties. Sometimes, in cases of
close division, one man has held in his hands
the controlling power; sometimes three, some
times larger number, have held this power.
These organizations usually hold themselves
in readiness to act with the party that approx
mates most nearly to their views.
From some hints thrown out by the leading
papers Of the hard persuasion, it is believed by
some that an effort is now on foot to organize
that division into balance Of power party in
reference to the Nebraska bill.
No man who has watched the course Of events
for some months past and who is acquainted
with the expressions and prosecutions to which
the New York national democrats have been
subjected by the administration, can feel sur
prise at witnessing on their part displays of i'll
will and resentment towards the administration.
The meanest thing that crawls will turn in re.
sentiment when trod on. The feeblest insect
will use its sting when assailed by an enemy.
Then it is not TO be wondered ut that honest
tried democrats, Of the Jackson stamp, should
become excited, angered, and revengeful under
Course of treatment alike unwise, unjust, and
oppressive.
After many legitimate efforts and as many
signal failures, to bring this controversy before
the country and get decision on its merits
from the House Of Representatives, the national
democrats have in the Nebraska bin found the
means Of making themselves heard and felt
1t is known that, although not an administra-
tion measure in its origin, it has yet received
the sanction of the administration. A formal
declaration in its favor has been made, and it
is thus received as a quasi administration
measure. We refer now to the Senate bill
with the Badger and Clayton amendments.
1t is coniectured and believed by many that
the hards are against this bill because the Presi
dent and the cabinet are in favor of il, and that
they are determined to show the President and
the inetthat, though despised, prosecuted, and
rejected. they hold in their hands the power of
controlling events and the power of retaliation.
Another aspect Of this case presents itself.
The national democrats have been the true and
tried friends of the south. Indeed they separated
from the softs because the latter would not
come UP to their standard Of constitutional or
thodoxy in reference to the equality Of States
and the rights of the south. They felt that this
their noble effort in behalf Of their southern
brethren entitled them to sympathy, considera-
ton, and cordial acceptance. They felt that
in their controversy with the softs they had a
right to claim the cooperation of their south
ern brethren. When Congress assembled, they
found their expectations disappointed, their
hopes crushed, their claims sighted, and their
rights trampled on. Their voice of complaint
on the floor of Congress was not only unheeded
but it was hushed. This mortified and exas
perated them. 1t is conjectured, from the
tone and temper of articles in some of then
journals, that they mean to avail themselves oi
the opportunity now afforded them of retalia
ting gently on the southern, members. These
&c ,of
Although we have given the views and con
lectures of others in the foregoing remarks, we
have presented them strongly, and in plain
language. We think it best to state the whole
matter in such form as that it cannot be
mistaken or misunderstood.
Are these conjectures and speculations true
and well-founded? We shall proceed on the
hypothesis that they are not altogether in
correct, and make few remarks Of our own.
We would respectfully ask the brave, deter
mined, and able men, the justice Of who's
cause is as clear to us as the MONDAY sun
if it would not be far nobler, more generous
more patriotic, and more statesmanlike, to cas
from them all petty spite, all memory {
SiiONahSSo aho Wfonbs, Nnen u sicat ncooui
like the Nebraska bill, involving the rights {
States and the peace and contentment of th
country, is up before them, than to perm
those wrongs and grievances to lead them to
course that must leopard the success Of
principle as dear to their hearts as il is to on
own2 Let them not punish the Constitr
ton in their desire, and not unnatural desir,
to punish their persecu tors. We do not doul
that the passage of any bill for the organ
xation Of Nebraska and Kansas Territorie
with the non.intervention principle embodie
in it will be seriously retarded, if not abs
lutely endangered, by the course that has bee
indicated. fby their means and agency sue
result should take place. they cannot fail I
percei We that those who have given them o
fence BY suspecting their fidelity viii feel an
will declare that those suspicious are ampl
- l. A. Al .--~.