Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-03-22
THE WASHINGTON UNION.

It has not been many days since we felt con-
strained to notice the devious and unsteady
course of the Washington Union in regard to
the Nebraska bill. Very reluctantly we called
attention to the fact that it OF one time de-
clared this bill to be the "test of democratic
orthodoxy" and that before this emphatic an
nouncenlent could produce its proper effect,
and Immediately after the election of its editor
to the post of printer to the House of Repre-
sentatives, it, for SOME reason not assigned by
it, contained an article relaxing the test, and
leaving the various members of the democratic
family either to support or oppose the measure
os to them might be agreeable. This an
nouncement went out to the world with all the
power Of official emphasis. 1t was supposed
that the Washington Union could make or un-
make tests at pleasure-that it could either
issue bulls Of accommodation or grant abso-
luton as to it might seem proper.
We said, few days after the announcement
appeared, that it wosd do mischief. We said
that many who would otherwise have supported
the bill would then feel relieved from all obi
CATIONS to do so. The result has realized our
fears and fulfilled our expectations.
But, after much Of mischief has been done,
the Washington Union, with characteristic YER
satility, and with fckleness that but for the i'm.
portant interests involved wouldIbe ludicrous,
comes out and re.es;ablishes the test-at least
we presume that such is the object of its article
-rC H.. IL, Ia5 x 49,
Territorial bill" We give an extract from that
article:
However many Of the wisest and best OF
our public men may have preferred that the
merits Of the proposition to organize the Ter.
r;tores of Nebraska and Kansas should not,
for obvious reasons, be made matter of issue
between the two great parties, the turbulence
and violence Of abolition fanaticsm, combined
with the persistent hostility of northern wings,
seem 10 render the continuance of any such
condition OF things hopelessly impossible. Not
only, therefore, are the democrats TO be once
more rallied, as distinct organization, in favor
OF the great principles of congressional non
intervention and popular sovereignty, (both
being the vital elements of the proposition OF
Senator Douglas, but the high duty will be
confidedsso them Of preventing the enemies OF
that proposition from making it source OF
deep and widespread SECTIONAL DIVISION"
Again, the Union says: ave say then that
the issue has been deliberately made, and
wickedly made by the enemies Of the democra;
cy on this bill of Senator Douglas, and as
democrats, we cannot hesitate to accept il"
How, we would ask, can such contradictions
be reconciled? Are they not unworthy Of one
OF the metropolitan organs of the American
democracy Do they not more resemble the
changing humors of q capricious child, than the
SOBER dignifed, and well considered suggestion,
10 be expected from a political journal Of high
pretcusions?
We would be pleased to see the Washington
Unionpursuing plain, straightforward, conss
tent course; and when we point to its errors
and inconsistencies, we do so to call its atten
ton to the dangers aud difficulties that result
from them to the democratic party.
Some few months since feud sprang mp be
tween the two divisions Of the democracy o
New York. The Union espoused the course
of one division with much zeal and with I'M