Washington sentinel., 1854-06-22

to the democracy the gradual adoption of her
favorite principle of free trade.
The third great epoch in the progress of the
destructive element was the systematic attack
made, first by individuals, then by the press,
then by abolition associations, then in the halls
of Congress against domestic institution,
peculiar to the southern States, until now the
halls Of legislation, the press, the pulpit, and
the private parlor have all become the arena
on which the great battle against slavery is
fought. In adverting again to this important
but hackneyed subject, we feel it due to our
northern friends to say that we speak Of it not
in the spirit Of sectionalism, but as a NANTES,
tation of the same dangerous principle OF
federal aggression. Although from the fact
of our southern birth and southern education,
we may feel deeper interest in that question
than can be expected from our northern sur
porters; and although we have no hesitation
in saying here and elsewhere, now and al
ways, that we believe its existence to be favo-
rable to the cause of national freedom, and
indispensable to conservatism, yet we wish not
to speak of it as partisans. If we know our
selves, we would oppose with just as much
sincerity, and just as much feeling any mani
festation of this destructive principle of CEN
tralism in institutions and interests peculiar to
any other section of the Union.
We take this question then as an illustra-
ton of the position which we have assumed,
that the triumph of the Constitution over sec
tionalsm, of truth over prejudice, of peace
over discord, has been due in the highest de-
gree to the soundness of the democratic party
As proof of this, we appeal to the facts de-
veloped in Congress during this controversy in
all It's stages, to tie large proportion of north.
ern democrats who have supported with lauda-
Die fidelity the principles of the Constitution,
and the almost universal opposition TO those
principles as manifested by northern wings.
In the late struggle upon the territorial bill
providing government for Nebraska and
Kansas, the fact was shown in an eminent de-
gree. Every supporter of that measure from
he free States was member of the democra-
lc party.
The greatest danger to the republican party |
springs from its own immense power. 1t re.
lures the greatest vigilance on the part Of the
rue friends its principles TO prevent the cor
,uption which is so often the result Of power
4 frequent recurrence to its fundamental doc
rines, is the only means of keeping it pure and
The immense patronage Of govern.
nent, is weapon in the hands Of power, with
which ikmay overawe even the stoutest oppo-
irion, and hence, it may sometimes happen,
hat while the great policy Of our party has
yer been principles, not men," vet ele-
ated to power, position and patronage, the
,axim is reversed, and a blind hattery Of the
IAN overcomes steadlast adherence to the
rinciples.
Our guide in all our action in this respect is
nat set forth in our prospectus. But while
we will not be ambitious to commend our
elves to- the people by blind aattery of their
ulers' it will ever be source of unfeigned
to honor and commend them as
he representatives of the principles which
levated them to Office