Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-09-20


their names will be stricken from the list.
-.
LP We give place to the following leader in
the Washington Union Of Saturday. We do SO
with pleasure, and with none the less pleasure,
because we have received no such act of Justice
from the Washington Union. If we see and
speak the errors of those who are against us and
our principles, equally alive to any de-
monstration calculated to do good to our party
which may come from them. We so candidly
endorse every sentiment of the article, that we
consider it duty to lay it before cur readers
"rhe star in the East."-Response 10 VIC
torious Virginia, North Carolina, Ten
nessee, Alabama, and Texas.
The Maine election is the first response from a
Northern State TO the democratic victories of the
South
AT the moment when her national sentiment
seemed to be almost extinguished, and when abb
olitonism goated at the prospect Of securing her
aid in its most atrocious treasons, the popular
heart Of Maine spoke trumpet-tongued through
the ballot-boxes, and'the wild fusion offanaticism
retired, with its columns crushed and its spirits
broken.
This most seasonable demonstrgton-the be-
ginning, a we solemnly believe Of an irresistible
reaction in the free State against all the projects
of the adversaries Of the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
some valuable lessons. First, and above all, it
shows that a steady adherence to the doctrines Of
the Constitution is Of being indicated by
the popular decree. Ii shows that coalitions be-
tween the revolutionary elements Of fanaticism
cannot be maintained. 1t recalls citizens who
have been deluded into the lodges Of Know-noth-
ingism back to duty 1t clears the pathway to
future contests, by leaving in the field the only
two parties that now exist in this countryside
Democratic party, with the Constitution for its
shield, and the abolition or sectional party,
pledged to the overthrow Of that Constitution.
This makes clear and defnitiye issue. There
is now no installing the parties that stand arrayed
against each other, nor the objects TO which they
are respectively committed. Many circumstances
conspire to make this state of things clear and
unequivocal The Democratic party i solemnly
committed to the grave responsibility Of protect
ing the rights Of the States and the guarantees Of
the federal compact.
We know that there are some who even now
remain in the Democratic organization who at
tempt 10 evade the full endorsement Of the prin-
ciPles Of the party, nv declarations in favor Of
other issues, and BY laudatons Of certain admin
istrative measures 10 the exclusion Of others.
But the time has come when politicians Of this
class must either openly reject or openly adyo-
cate these principles. No middle ground can be
occupied by any man claiming 10 be Demo-
crat.
Declarations in State conventions, or else
where, eyasve in their character, and designed
to soothe the sensibility Of men who although in
the Democratic organization, are Freesoilers al
heart, are neither suited to the times, nor worthy
Of fearless, powerful, and honest party. II is
the duty Of the only National party-thc great
Democratic host throughout this broad Union
not only TO utter strictly national sentiments, but
to maintain them everywhere boldly and with
vigor. This course, which we are glad 70 see Is
50 universally resolved upon, will drive out,
from the Democratic organization the fanaiical,
selfish, hypocritical, tme-serving tide-waiters,
who are inconvenicntly active when the sea j.
smooth, and the skies are bright, but who, on
all locations Of real trial, hang like dead weight
upon the skirts Of party they are unwilling
manfully 70 defenI, and yet are not quite ready
to leave Let them depart in peace If need be,
LET them have notice to quit Their places will
be filed with better men-men ready 70 contend
for the right, in storm as well as in sunshine il
is the simple truth, verified by experience every
where, that while the opponents Of democracy
can do nothing without isms, the Democratic
party can do nothing with them, their abettors,
but to cast them out by action just, direct, sgni
hcant
We must look not only the present, but the
future, ~ the face. Rather than see our creed
pared down, or shorn Of its fair proportions so
as TO be accommodated to this local interest, or
made agreeable TO that sectional idea, we should
welcome wide and lasting defeat Rather than
act with merwho shrink before the war-cry Of
Abolitionism, or who hesitate 10 assault Tie
savage prescriptions Of religious intolerance, and
TO denounce those who seek TO plumber the pub
lie treasury, we would hail minority as the high
est honor, attained, as i would be, in company
with men honestly united upon great and en-.
during principles.
Let the Democracy, then, grid their lons for
the coming contest Let them fling back into
the teeth Of faction the language of resolution
and Of defiance yainly will abolition howl
against the rights Of the States--vainly will
Know-nothingism hurl its missiles at the adopted
citizen-vainly will fusion seek 70 rally free
people against the only written Constitution that
recognizes all the rights Of man--if the Denoc-
racy Of the Union is true to ITSELF TO its doctrines
and to the expectations Of the people. Those
who are not for US in this struggle arc against