Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-16
masbingtaa geutinel.
LION. GEoRGE NJ. DALLAS.

AVN OEOItOh M. DALLAS.
We give place this morning to the following
from the Daily Adrocute Baton Rouge, La.
respecting this distinguished gentleman who
fully deserves all that is SO well said of his
political and private virtues: aaa 4, ~
GEo. M. DALLAS AND THE CONSTITUTION
We find the following brief article in thu
Baltimore San of the I'd instant, containing az
extract from a reply recently made by the Hon
Geo. nj. Dallas TO committee of the eonsti
tutional, party, now being formed in the cit]
and county of Philadelphia. 1t shows tina
distinguished member Of the democratic party
to stand, where every one capable ofapprecia
ting his proud and independent consistency
might expect him to stand--not one inch re
moved from the old constitutional platform, Il
which he chung through all the fervor of you'll
and clings yet as fandly, when time has thrown
over his head the white emblem of patriarcha
wisdom and experience. We have, and ever
had, an unfeigned admiration for Mr. Dallas
His private life was ever so beautiful; his pub
lie life so noble, consistent, and able; his in.
tegrity, both private and political, so far above
reproach and even the breath Of suspicion
that it is always highly acceptable to us to have
occasion to bring his name before the public
with honorable mention.
The chiefest bane among American politi-
clans has been pruriency for ofice--a fever
ish desire to mount swiftly the official ladder
and never pause till the highest round was
attained. But Mr.. Dallas has never been
tainted by this prevailing weakness. Although
for years the field of his famen has been co.
extensive with the country, he has never sought
TO be made President, or to make President
hut hac hpaYa nhp ~ 49,,
as his country confded to him, with strict in
tegrity and rigid adherence to principles. We
need such men, as models for the young, and
indeed, for the old too; and we should so ap-
pceciate them and so reward them, wheneyei
proper occasion may offer, as to convince all
that true respect and general esteem are bes
secured, in political as in private life, by STRIFE
derotion to principle.
Whenever Mr.. Dallas name does appear be
fore the public, it is always as the coaseruatoj
Of tie true theory Of the Constitution. IF an
o.her distinguished gentleman, now no more
received the title of the great expounder o
the Constitution, Mr.. Dallas equally deserves
TO be called the great expounder' as well as
defender Of the true constitutional faith.
He seems now, remembering him as Vice Pres
ident under MIR, Polk, to stand before the coun
try as the representative of the Democratic
party in its unity, before divided or embarrass
ed By any local or sectional interests. Raised
at once from the walks of private life, withou
solicitation, to the Vice Presidency, the win
ming urbanity of his manners always SO re
markable in his career at the bar, gave grace
ID the discharge of the duties of that Office
duties, the responsibilities Of which, withou
being ostentatiously courted, he ever met with
a decision and nerve akin to moral heroism
On all the great issues before the country. dur
ing Mr.. Folks administration, he was uniform
" right; and it will never be forgotten, will
what Roman courage and decision of characle
he gave the casting vote, as PresideEt of tn,
Senate, against an odious protective tarif
measure. Amid all the dissensions that hav,
arisen during his privacy either of a party O.
sectional character, he has kept himself uncor
rupted: and without variation or shadow o
turning he has looked to the Constitution a.
the fit beacon TO guide the political Palinuru,
through all perilous seas
Popular sovereignty, State rights, and III,
Union might well be the motto Of any club
like the one in Philadelphia, which has con
suited him as to its organization. 1t is tn,
voice of true patriot, whe has seen battle ant
encountered defeat without dismay, which
speaks to the young democracy around him
when his clarion tones are heard saying
+" there is one comprehensive injunction, which
you will pardon me for thinking important
enough, however trite, TO repeat here-look
steadily 10 ne Constitution, and that It's pro
Uisions be strictly erecuted. That instrument
involves the being of the Union. The Consti-
tuition violated, the Union fingers only upon
sufferance; the Constitution enforced, the Union
hourishes with perennial vigor."
1t is, indeed, refreshing, in these latter days,
when irreverence for the sacred instrument OF
the federal Unon and for the sacred rights OF
the States and people under it has become SO
shamefully bold, 20 contemplate the character
Of so severe disciple and disinterested cham
pion Of the Constitution as Mr. Dallas; and re
Elections have crowded upon us SO thick as al
most to make us forget the article following
which suggested these introductory remarks:
The Constitutional Party.
The old organization Of the party being
pretty well broken into by the late elections
re-organizations under new titles are now be
ing formed. The American party is made NJ
of Wings, Democrats, and Natives. As an
tagonistic to this party, the CONSTITUTIONAL
party is being formed in the city and county
OF Philadelphia, with clubs in each ward as
auxiliary to it. This party is mainly composed
Of members of the Democratic party, and be
fore they undertook the movement, they asked
the opinion Of the Hon. George M. Dallas
upon it.. This gentleman has addressed re
ply to the committee, in the course Of which he
says; rs o8
:" Now, take il that your projected " Clubs,
resting on the broad and benefcent platform
Of Democracy, are meant to have single eye
TO the preservation Of the Union are mean
TO foster every measure having that tendency
are meant 10 detect, expose, and resist what
ever threatens to weaken or dissolve it--arC
meant, in word, 10 organize power Of sim
ultaneous action through correspondence
the press, and the ballot-box, which will raise
n rampant, at any aud every crisis, against any
and every food, however formidable, Of sec
tional and fsnatical disunion. II is in this be.
lief that ] not only approve the propriety and
expediency of your plan, but bid you cordially
God speed with it.
II viii not, though strongly tempted ad
vert TO the best practical course for the upho..aa
ing the Union. They will necessarily engage
the deliberations Of the Clubs, when formed
But there is one comprehensive injunction,
which you will pardon me for thinking i'm.
por,ant enough, however trite, TO be repeated
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