Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-12-04
THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
The condition of the Democratic party, in
being reduced to so small a minority in the
House of Representatives, very naturally gives
rise to the question-How comes it SO?
The Democracy fighting on the Baltimore
platform af 1852, triumphed by an unexampled
majority. In that contest the opposing hosts
were led by the great Commander-in-chief of
the American Army in Mexico, with all his
laurels still green upon his brow. But although
General Scott accepted the nomination with
the platform ofthe Wing party, he did not and
would not say he approved of it. The conse-
quence was, a belief gained ground that he
affiliated with freesoilism, and this belief de-
prived him of the support of nearly every State
in the Union, leaving him in the most pitiable
defeat that man ever received.
Had the standard bearer Of the party main
tained the antagonism to freesoilism which had
given him the most splendid of %triumphs, the
party would not have been subjected to the hu
mutations it has since endured.
But the distrust which stripped General Scott
of his supporters, by his refusal to approve the
Wing platform, entered the Democratic ranks,
the moment the leader of the party placed its
standard in the hands of The Freesoilers. This
was that fatal movement which distracted and
paralyzed the Democratic party.
Had the Administration adhered in6exibly
to the principles which gave it power, the Dem.
ocratic party would not now have 10 endure
the humiliation Of being a minority in the
House of Representatives.
But by bribing Democrats to become Free
sellers, by giving to them office in preference
to those who acknowledged no fellowship or
right to reward for any who did not fully sub
scribe to the great principles laid down in the
Baltimore platform of 1852. That the Admin
i~stration received into its especial favor free
sellers who spit upon and repudiated the prin
ciples which placed it in power, it now ac.
knowledg es. The chief of these. John Van
ed to high offices the advocates Of the Buffalo
platform, aud thus sanctioned il, they being
still of that faith. The condition of affairs has
forced its organ to repudiate John Van Buren,,
he has named the men who live and swear by
him, and who retain office. John Van Buren,
and they have not changed; they are now what
they we're when they were taken into especial
favor; and what is very certain had any pro-
per test been applied to them, the cloyen foot
would have unmasked them as readily as now.
The Democratic patriots with Roman virtue
scorned alike the threats and persuasions of
the Administration, acting under its unhappy
delusion in regard to Freesoilers. 1t hood
winked itself, and because it could not then
see the cloven foot, would not believe it ex.
listed.
But soon John Van Buren, reeking all over
and at all times with Freesoilism, was not ex.
communicated by the Union, until the com.
~plexion of the House rendered its election as
printer out of the question. 1t was not until this
covered the heresy of John Van Buren-nor,
we presume, would it ever have been discovered
if the complexion Of the House had not de.
prived the Union Of hope there. 1t has shifted
its sails now to catch the breeze from another
quarter, with which to sail without Freesoil
blasts. Its sails have been set to Freesoil
winds so long as it would propel its bark.
Ii now courts the wind from another quarter.
All these evils, the casting the Democracy
into a minority in the House, and the loss of
States are clearly traceable to the mistaken
leniency and compromise of the Administra.
ton, who at one time made the Kansas bill
an issue, and at another accommodated its
great ally, because he is consistent with the
first declaration Of the administration that it
should not be a test
Compromises Of principle are always wrong,
and will surely sooner or later bring their pun.
ishment with them.
The Sentinel was established for the ex.
press purpose Of taking the honored standard
which led the Democracy to its most glorious
victory, but had been thrown aside in shame
by those who ought to have preserved it with
their lives.