Washington sentinel., 1854-07-22
A WARNING TO WEAK DEMOCRATS
THE TEMPTER.

-ssess-
A WARNING TO WEAK DEMOCRATs.-
THE TEMPTER.
An insidious effort is on foot to weaken the
democratic organization, by attempting to un-
dermine the virtue and alarm the fears of some
OF its weaker members. Some living in anti
slavery communities, and either themselves
tainted with the prevailing unsoundness, Or if
sound, afraid to proclaim their opinions, are
objects of great soicitude to aboGlionists, free
soilers, and anti-slavery wings. Every effort
that can be made to draw them of from the
democratic party, is being made. The man
agement displayed by the sedueers, is the very
perfection OF art They approach different men
in different ways. They seek to alarm the
timid, to purchase the mercenary, and dazzle
the ambitious. while they woo with soft bland
dishments the manly spirit that would defy
menace, and chastise violence.
If the northern wings were to approach the
northern democrats and propose, bluntly, that
they should quit the democratic organization
and unite their fortunes with the fortunes OF
the whig party, the proposition would only ex-
cite indignant scorn, or contemptuous derision.
The democrats thus approached, might very
properly inquire why they should forsake the
triumphant banner of democracy to join de-
feated army, whose ranks had been thinned by
desertion, and whose flag had been trampled
in the dust. They might ask, too, why they
should be invited to renounce the principles
and the traditions of their own party, and,
without rhyme or reason, assume, take up, and
profess the principles Of their ancient enemies.
If the abolitionists and freesoilers were TO
approach them with like oyertures and propo-
sitions, the outrage would be even more fla.
grant, and the insult infinitely deeper.
The seducers are too cunning and too adroit
thus to make their approaches. They are old in
sin, and like all old sinners, they are artful and
insidious. They knew that "names are things
and the names ofwhig, aboltionist and freesoiler.
are very disagreeable things to the democrats.
Hence they determined to cast aside their
names, call conventions, organize new party
by means Of an unprincipled and proAigate
amalgamation and christen that new party
with whatever name the fusion might think fit
TO choose. With this view, they have called
their conventions, and they hope to have the
cooperation and sympathy Of timid and un-
sound democrats in the non-slaveholdiug States.
What any democrat can expect to gain by
allying himself with so motley a band we cannot
conceive. What he will lose we can readily
understand. BE will lose the eclat that at
taches to victory; he will lose the respect Of
those around him; he will lose his selfrespect;
he will lose the high repute that belongs to vir-
tue; he will lose that virtue itself; he will re
nounce the certain fixed and noble principles
Of a great, patriotic, and triumphant party, for
principles unGxed, variant, and contradictory
lie will exchange the honorable associations of
his whole past life, for associations that he has
avoided as a pestilence, and sbhorred as
degradation.
Let the amslgamation select the loveliest
and the most euphonical name that it can
find, those who compose it will still be the
same that they have ever been--the same in
proAigacy, the same in leprous unsoundness;
and the recreant democrat who joins them will
feel like an honest man among thieves.
Nor will he gain anything by such fraterDiza-
ton. A democrat uH dlrays be suspected Jy
abolitionists and freesolrs. They cannot
trust him. They may tickle him with compli.
ments and encourage him with promises-but
If an honor is 70 be conferred, an Office to be-
slowed, or reward 10 be given, The recipient
viii be one Of the tried and the trusted.
Such democrats as can be won will be re.
ioiced over as "brands sna,cbed from the burn.
ing,p but like new recruits and young converts,
they will be fosced to give place TO the regulars,
and the members OF long standing and ap.
proved fidelity.
We would then say to such unsound demo.
Gratis as may mediate junction with the great
Fusion party---thiok before you leap. We would
caution them not 10 put their faith in abolition.
ists, their trust in freesolers, or bearkcn TO the
honied words Of the northern wings. Let them !
resist the charmer, "charm he never so wisely" |
Let them flee the tempter, no matter how sweet !
his syreD tongue, how soft bis soothing voice or |
fair has promised rewards. Leap not into the
yawning chssn, though The green grass may
grow on its sides and sweet flowers may
tempt with their beauty and their fragrance.
Plunge not into the raging food Its crystal