Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-06-16
EXCLUSION OF THE QUESTION OF
SLAVERY FROM PARTY CREEDS-
THE "wAsHINGTON UNION

THE "wAsHINGTON UNION
A correspondent of the Richmond Enquirer,
under date of June 9th, chides us for assail-
ing the recent ant-Southern article of the
Washington Union, entitled '.The Democratic
Position on the Slavery Question" The En-
quirer's correspondent courteousy, but decidedly,
suggests that we have misinterpreted, perverted,
and distorted that article We shall proceed to
maintain our first position, and to show that the
article in question either has no meaning at all,
the meaning'which we attached to it.
Before doing SO, however, we take leave to
premise that the Washington Union is our neigh
Dor, it is published every day, and in the same
city in which the Sentinel is published. AS we
exchange with the Union, we may reasonably
presume that its conductors read our structures
on the article in question. If they did not, it
was their own fault.
We choose to adopt this hypothesis. Nor
can we presume that, not denying our inter
probation, they either sought or desired foreign
help. Since the Washington Union has not con-
troverted our positions, and as we cannot believe
that when assailed, it would seek the aid of for
eign and an anonymous, though courteous pen,
tons to notice the crtique of sc f. H." the
Enquirar's correspondent. Yet as the subject is
invested with much importance, as we are on
the threshold, if not in the midst, of perilous
slavery crisis, and the reply to our article
emanates from sold Virginia" the Citadel of
slavery, State rights, and the Constitution, we
will waive all privilege and proceed to respond
to it.
The writer says, in substance, that the question
of slavery divides itself into two-fold PROPOSE
ton: the abstract and the practical questions.
He argues that the Union only contends that
Southern men should not demand of Northern
men the recognition of the institution of slavery,
as blessing in the absraci-asA social and po-
litical good He contends that for all useful and
practical purposes the Unions article is right, in
asmuch as it recognizes and seeks to protect the
institution of slavery everywhere. We say this
is the sum and substance of the writer's argu-
ment. The process, however, by which he ar
rives at his conclusion, is not only questionable,
but amusing. Here il is. He says:
81 cannot suppose that the Washington Union,
even were il to give other evidences of trucking
to Northern presumption, lrould be guilty Of the
sutctuut dOsUuty OF TAXING u position upon TINS
subject far behind that of the Democratic cohorts
of New Hampshire, New York, Connecticut
&C.
The writer's supposition that the Washington
Union would not be guilty of an '.abslrdiy is the
argument against our construction Of its article
Absurdity What absurdity has the Union
not committed 1t has praised with trucking
subservieney everything that the ADMINISTRATION
has done. 1t has been for and against every i'm
portant measure that has been before the people
1t is to-day for Nebraska, tomorrow against
Nebraska at one time for the Pacific Railroad
at another time against il one moment for Sc
cretary Guthria's proposed protective tariff, the
next against it, in the abstract; in regard TO Kan
and Governor Reeder, it is neither " fish,
flesh, fowl, good red herring" 1t is everything
by turns, and nothing long. II is against all
secret societies, and against all political ergani-
zations outside of the Democratic party and yet it
approved the meeting of the ofice-holders and
wire-workers here last summer, which proposed
to form party outside Of the Democratic party,
TO put down the Know -nothings, as if the Demo
cratic p arty TO weak TO do so. 1t is against
slavery, and for slavery. II pirates Of the abstract
and the practical aspects Of the slavery question
and so mixes and confuses its comments, defni
tons, and propositions as to create doubt in the
minds Of its best friends as to its meaning
If the Union wishes to speak plainly and in
telligibly, why does it not do sol Is il cursed
with defective utterancei Can il not say tina
black is black, and white white. Two thing
ought 10 have occurred TO the courteous defende
Of the Union, (the 'Enquirer's correspondent
The first is, that if the Union was misrepresentet
by the Sentinel, il ought TO defend itself The Sc
cond is, that the defence of the Union By
&C. F. H." requires most nice and druggist
like weighing Of phrases, and a most careful ant
precise splitting Of hairs. The whole defenc,
proceeds upon the hypothesis that the languag,
of the Union is Of doubtful import. Why, then
instead Of attempting to make certainty out o
most perverse and ambiguous riddle, why, in
stead Of assaing US, did not the Virginia CORES
pendent Of the Enquirer address through the
columns Of the Enquirer a request TO the Union
to express itself more intelligiblyi
In these perilous times, slavery is too delicate
and too vital a question to be sported with
There should be no riddles and antiquities about
il. Least of all should the Government organ
be sustained by southcrners and virginians in the
utterance Of such riddles and antiquities IF the
organ has no tongue, let it be dumb; If il has
let it speak plainly on this the vital question Of
the day, or be condemned.
The correspondent Of the Enquirer in his effort
TO defend the Union encountered many Difficult.
ties. lie seems 10 admit that the Union assert.
nothing plainly and pointedly. He has TO rely
upon deductions and inferences His whole com.
muncation proceeds on the hypothesis that the
language Of the Union is, Of doubtful import
That is enough TO condemn the article.
The writer to whom we refer does us injustice
in his anxiety TO do justice TO the Union. lie
assumes that we are disposed to exact Of north.
ern men the pledge that they are advocates Of
slavery in The abstracf-that they regard IL as
social and political blessing. lie represents this
as the point Of difference between the Union and
ourselves. He argues that while the Union
valves the ''abstract" question, and is csntent
with their acquiesence in the recognition Of the
1..w..~ al.