Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-06-05

even by our silence, the past, present, or future
errors committed by the Administration-et us
fight them with our open principes-let us send
good and true men to our State and national
councils-let sink the doctrine Of availability,
and put forth for the next canvass our best and
worthiest statesmen Then shall Democracy be
again triumphant-then shall our principles be
brightly blazoned upon the pillars of our institu-
tions which they have SO long upheld, and which
they will perpetuate for generations to come.
Such is the course we have selected for our
selves, and by the help of God we will keep it
unto the end.
THE "UNION" IGNORES SLAVERY
"SETS RATSBANE BY THE POR-
RIDGE
Is the Union the organ of the Administra
ton? 1t says it is not, but that it has had the
happiness to agree with the Administration on
most questions of public policy. This, or
something like it, is the position claimed for
itself by the Union in recent set-to with the
Latelligencer.
Does the Administration agree with the
Union in the views expressed in, its article
entitled "The Democratic Position on the
Slavery Question:" That is the question?
Are the Administration and the Union agreed
"hat no party embracing members at the
North and the South can be national OR har.
monious in its organization achich does not .er-
clude the question Of sIaueyy from ats creed p
We have been so much astounded by the
article Of the Union that, lest by some obtuse-
ness of ours we have not caught its true in
tent and meaning, we publish it entire in
another column for the perusal and grave con-
sideraton of our southern contemporaries.
Besides arguing that the question of slavery
should be excluded from the democratic creed,
the Union says the members Of the party "may
differ as pidely as is possible as to all subjects
not embraced by their party creed.n
The ignoring" of slavery is approved by
State-Rights Senator Wilson. That slavery is
sectional and not national, was the subject of
labored speech Of Senator Sumner. Excluding
the question of slavery from the party creed,
and admitting that members Of the party
may differ as widely as possible as to all
subjects not embraced in the party creed
Chase and Giddings would make capital de.
mocrats
The question constantly recurring to us is,
Have we not mistaken the meaning of the
UntonP We think we have not. The Union
says:
off we are right in assuming that the North
and the South can never harmonise on the
abstract subject of slavery, it follows that there
can be no such things as national parties, er.
cept upon the basis Of an entire exclusion of tie
subject from their political creeds. No mathe-
NAUTICAL proposition is more true than that the
only basis of party organization is an agreement
amongst those who enter INTO it upon the sub
jects which they recognize as belonging to its
creed. They may differ as widely as is posi-
bic as to all subjects not embraced by their
party creed, but to be harmonious inside of
their organization they must have common
sentiments, and stand together on a common
platform. These truths will command ready
assent, and they demonstrate the proposition
that no party embracing members at the North
and the South can be national or harmonious
IN its organization uhich does not exclude the
question Of sldrery from ITS creed"
Whatever the Union may think of the policy
or propriety of entirely excluding the subject
of slavery from the democratic creed it may
be assured that its proposition will meet favor
able response from those, only, who are willing
to sacrifice principle for the sake of the loaves
and fishes. To ignore the subject of slavery,
is to abandon the democratic helms to
abandon the conservative d0trine Of Slate
rights--the only hope for the permanence Of
the Union. The paramount practical value of
the doctrine Of State rights, has been in its re.
sistance to the fanatical encroachment upon
the institution Of slavery.
To withdraw the subject Of slavery from the
party creeds, will be to take away the food
which sustains the doctrine Of State rights. For
want Of a practical application Of the doctrine
Of State rights the public attention will in time
be withdrawn from it. It's value will be lost
sight of. No check will be interposed TO the
extending power of the Federal Government,
and centraism and consolidation will follow,
and as an escape from the consequent anarchy,
monarchy, and government Of bayonets.
The extraordinary positions assumed by the
Union could, if carried out, but have the effect
Of bringing down the Democratic party from its
high estate, and thoroughly abolitionizing it.
The Democratic party has established its hold
on the affections Of the people by its steadfast
adherence to principle through evil and good
report in defeat and victory. Measures, not
men" has been its battle-cry. Itbas not valued
victory, except as the victory Of its principles.
1t has discarded all trucking expediency to
elevate men to office.
The Democratic party has never been salts
fed as party test with simple pledge Of
to the compromises Of the Constitu.