Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-06-05
THE DUTY OF THE DEMOCRATIC
PARTY.


gestive. A General, whether victorious de-
feated, after the smoke of decisive engagement
clears away, does not resign himself to naction
or supineness. If the latter, he gathers up the
fragments that remain of his routed forces, and
encourages them to prepare for another fight. If
the former, he surveys the ground far beyond his
present condition and calculates not only the
chances Of maintaining his ascendancy, but the
proper mode in which that ascendancy should be
maintained.
The Democratic party Of Virginia has achieved
great victory. Nay, more; the Democracy of
the whole country have achieved great victory.
Never was such interest felt, never such encour-
agement given, or such aid afforded, without the
limits of Virginia, in any previous contest. The
principal reasons of this interest we have already
given. and it is not necessary to present pur-
pose to reiterate or multiply them Our object
now is to point out what we believe to be the
true duty of the Democratic party in the Union
We feel that in doing this, we may be charged
with arrogance by some, and impolicy rash
ness by others-while there may be those also
parasites, fatterers, and corrupt mercenaries
who may ascribe course to unworthier motives,
Of which they, and not zoe, are capable. We
think, however, we know our duty as public
journalists, "y0utltul though we may be-cer-
tain it is, we know what we think right, and ap-
preciate to the fullest extent our responsibilities.
However, if the heavens fall, we will write as we
think, for we hold our charter from no source but
our own energy, and our own conscience
"charter illimitable the winds, to blow on
whom we please"
We premise by saying that too much weight
and importance are given to administrations, and
that parties too often held responsible for ALL
the acts Of an Administration. This is wrong
manifestly wrong. In the election, for example,
that has just taken place in Virginia, we have nc
hesitation in saying, that but for the interference
Of the present Administration and its consistent
organ, the result would have been far more en-
couraging. 1t was the additional weight that the
party had to carry, in Virginia, that the false
policy of the Administration imposed upon it,
which at one time SO disheartened our hosts OF
friends.
We think, therefore, the period has arrived
when party not approving of, or agreeing with
an Administration, whose policy has brought in.
to dsrepute its long established principles should
take the right of expressing that dissent and dis
satisfaction If this is not true, why did not the
old Wing party adhere to the policy of the Ad
ministration of John Tyler--they elected him
he was their President. But how soon was il
apparent that his policy was not their policy
nor his principles their principles. Now, we take
leave to say, that the Administration of John
Tyler was one of the most brilliant in our an
mails. But did not the Wing party, which
placed it in power, in mass, renounce it?
That it was its true policy to do so, there can be
no doubt 1t preserved its integrity and nation
atty by so doing. 1t would have stultifed itself
to have done otherwise. The Wing party was in
favor of United States Bank. of a protective
tariff, of the distribution of the public lands, and of
every and all the principles that went to build up
its great organization. President Tyler, on the
contrary, after assuming the duties and re-
sponsibilities Of the Chief Magistracy, manifested
his disapproval Of all these measures Of the pers
party which brought him into poicer. Where would
have been the Wing party if it had allowed Pres
ident Tyler to have erected these new and strange
gods for it, Let us see if there is no analogy in
the cases.
1853, Franklin Pierce took the Presidential chair.
1t was accorded him by most overwhelming
majority Of the American people,, The Demo
cratic party made him their standard bearer-its
principles were emblazoned on every banner
they were the time-revered principles of the old
Republican party, enunciated, and never, TO that
period, compromised or renowned. The party
never was so strong, never powerful, never so
numerous, never 500 united. The Opposition
party-the old Wing party, we mean, before its
fair proportions were disfguered by the excres-
cence Of acknowledgements not only dis
heartened and discounted, but really with much
magnanimity seemed TO be satisfied to await the
progress of events, and with no small degree OF
confidence, that the public affairs would be adj
mnistered with patriotism and judgment. The
first duty Of President elect, is TO choose his
constitutional advisers-his cabinet. They con-
sist Of seven, and the first element in their selec-
ton should be a homogeneousness Of opinions on
public matters. Otherwise, an Administration can
not be marked by consistency and steadfastness
Of purpose, which are so necessary to inspire
confidence. Were they chosen with a proper
regard to this important point BY no means
The vain and futile policy arose before the vision
Of the President, Of uniting all the various sec
tons Of the Democratic party throughout the
Union, and making il harmonious whole He
seemed TO think il had been reserved for him 10
accomplish this mighty miracle. Hence in the
formation Of his cabinet, he took gentlemen the
very antpodes of each other-like the mulberry
tree, that has no fpo leaves alike
This is clearly illustrated in the fact, of por-
ton Of the cabinet favoring that mammoth scheme
of internal improvement by the General Govern
ment, the Pacific railroad. All will remember
the shock that was given to the sensibilties of
the Democratic party throughout the whole
country, at such abandonment Of one Of their
most cherished landmarks So great was it and
so general, that even the Washington Union,
which had labored so yaliantly in its advocacy at
first, as to call forth the praises Of the veteran
editors of the National Intelligencer, tainted and
fell back upon the old party lines again. Next
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