Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-02-28
A POLITICAL TRIANGLE.


article in its issue Of the Goth instant. The
Post is the Know.nothng paper of Richmond
1t openly avows its sentiments. Itpractices no
conccalments and disfgures itself by no sup
pressions. In speaking of the " American O'
gan," the Know-nothing paper of this city, it
says
q 1T is but Justice to ourselves to say, that we
have never agreed with this paper in its at
tempts to sink the slavery question, IN connec-
nection with the American Organization Be
lieving the Order to be the only conservative
party now in existence, we see not how the
slavery question can be passed over. II is OF
the very essence of conservativism-th ques.
.;or nf oil others. most affected nv the National
This extract suggests some reflections.
The Knownothing Order is an organized
Order. 1t pretends to be a national party. II
aspires not only to elect constabes, magis.
trates, clerks, members Of State Legislatures,
and Governors, but to elect Congressman, SEN
ators, and Presidents. To do SO it has made
platform. That platform, we have been,
time and again, informed by the american
Organ, "ignores" the question of slavery
the vital question in the South. Under this
system of !" ignoring it may elect the rankest
Abolitionist But that is its policy. It's lead
ing rule, if we may accept as authority the de.
clarations OF the american organ, is the "sup-
preston of TRUTH the sitting Of opinion, the
struggling Of principle.
Under this system, which gave ample verge
and scope enough-indeed unrestrained license
to the Abolitionists, Senator Wilson was
elected in Massachusetts. His abolitionsm-
denied by the Organ, which represented him
as a State Rights mana "strct construction.
ist," and refused to publish his abolition en-
dorsement of Mr.. Burlingame's abolition lee
organ, was openly proclaimed BY the new
Massachusetts, Senator, on the floor Of the
Senate Chamber Unable longer, and with
any show Of candor, to hide General Wilson's
sentiments, when publicly proclaimed by him.
SELF the organ quietly repudiates him.
But the Post is before the organ. The
Post" repudates the Organ. 1t does not
agree with the Organ. 1t "never agreed" with
Now what sort OF party is this? The great
dignitaries and the mighty councils Of this
party have proclaimed, authoritatively pro-
chained; have written, written in black and
white; have made rule, binding rule, a
rule adopted after ample reflection, that the
question or slavery shall be ignored" The
"Orgda" says that it is wholesale rule and a
binding rule. 1t stands by it. The new Abo-
lition Senator from Massachusetts, refuses to be
bound by it. The Organ repudiates him ian
after thought.) He repudates the Oyga,,-we
must suppose. He cannot stile the great and
volcanic impulses Of Abolitonism. On the
| floor of the Senate Chamber he gives open
and emphatic utterance to his Abolition opin.
| ions.
| Then comes out the Richmond Re,,ny Post.
Ii repudiates both the American Organ and the
new Massachusetts Senator. 1t repudiates the
| organ because IL IS in favor of ignoring" or
sinking the slavery question. 1t repudiates
Senator Wilson, because he repudiates the Or.
gan and refuses to be bound by the rule which
demands the sinking Of the question Of
! slavery. Here is triangular contest. The
Orgon wants to "ignore' or :" sink the ques.
ton Of slavery Senator Wilson will not agree
to il, because he is an Aboitionist. The Vir.
ginia Post will not agree TO il because il is
pro slavery paper
This thing, then, called Know nothingism,
is not a national party! What is the use Of
political party in these thrty.one States that is
not national? If not national, it cannot aspire
70 elect a President. II must be local. 1t will
have to content itself with electing fcedog
ollicials-small politicians, magistrates, and
other State officers.
If it is to be local party, its objects and
policy are plain. II is but a plumber party
an oiiice-seeking party. Long ago we knew,
and we said, that il would not be a national
party. The scurvy abolitionists OF the North,
and the hungry demagogues Of the South
were offered a premium TO enlist in its cause
Extremes met. But slavery, as we knew
would be banished rs an issue from its immac-
ulate creed. it has been banished. We see
now abolition knownothings and estate
Rights" Knownothings. We see Bank Know
nothngs and anti.Bank Know-nothings
so on through the political catalogue.
The party, We believe, is dead and damned.
For never since the origin Of this government
has any party sprung up but this, that had the
unbushing effrontery 10 attempt to coalesce an.
| tagonisms and unite extremes. Nor has any
other party ever attempted to sink, J" "stran.
| gtc,' and ignore" vital constitutional ques.
tons All that it wants is rope enough, and
i viii iniallibly hang itself--an ignoble death,
which il richly merits.
VERMoST.--On the last Wednesday in March
the election in this State will take place for the
/ council Of censors, who are chosen, we believe