Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-11-24


cyfc Raaroad, Mr.. Guthrie's protectice tariff;
the oar Of the Mem York Shells, the appoint,aenf
o. Governor Reeder, and-but the exceptions are
too numerous. Verify, We begin to think that
we shall not have room for all of them there
fore we must stop.
1t is chiefly to its practical tergiversations, as
evidenced by indiscreet alliances and alfilia-
tions, that we have taken exception.
However much or little blame may attach
to the Union on account Of the Emergencies
to which we allude, no part of the response.
bility for those Emergencies can fairly be laid
at the door of the Sentinel on the contrary,
when the Union has gone astray it has been
despite our iterated and reiterated cautions,
warnings and expostulations.
Our readers will not fail to remember that
upon the breaking out of the war between the
"Shells" in New York, we cautioned the Union
not to interfere, and particularly not to inter.
fere in favor Of the Softs and against the
Hards that the latter with Dickinson as their
leader had fought the good fight Of the Con-
~stitution and State Rights through good and
evil report, while the Softs, the Buffalo Plat.
form men, led on by the Albany Alias and
John Van Buren, had been their most siren
uous, bitter, and vindictive opponents. But
persisted, and having at that time, aud therein
the reputation and appearance of being the
organ of the Administration, not only antago-
nized as to itself, but as to the administrator
also, the only sure and reliable friends of Con
stitutional State Rights in that State, which,
because of its population and wealth, and con.
sequent weight and influence in the electoral
college and popular branch Of Congress, is
known and recognised as the Empire State.
The course of the Union had the effect of
antagonizing the Hards towards itself and the
Administration, not for a day only, but ixedly
and forever.
The Softs, then, with the New York Ecen-
ing Post and the Albany Atlas for their organs,
and John Van Buren, for their leader, from that
time forth were the sole reliance Of the Union
and the Administration.
The Post, Atlas, and John Van Buren, were
then, and for q series of years had been, nothing
else than Abolitionists. We told the Union so
at the time.
Well, the Softs duly appreciating the strength
of their position, and that in New York the
Administration could not afford to offend them,
because they had been so open in the avowal
of their Buffalo sentiments, and had showed
the cloven foot 50 plainly, that the Union, the
quasi organ OF an Administrative which had
received the vote of every Southern State, was
constrained to attack and read out of the party
each and every of those we have mentioned.
Like frozen and expiring adders, which have
been warmed into life, they have stung the
bosom which had cherished them.
John Van Buren, in various speeches has
given utterance to expressions hostile, if not
contemptuous towards the Union, and the
Albany alias, which the Union but a few short
weeks ago cherished in its heart of hearts, in
reply to the bull of accommodation Of the
latter, and in illustration Of the Unions incon-
s~istency, states that, after the death of Cen
eral Armstrong, it became doubtful whether
the Union could get the public printing Of the
House Of Representatives. 1t was deemed so
important to elect the proprietor ofthe Admin
i~stration organ, that every effort was made to
secure it. Says the atlas
"A small number of members met in caucus
and placed him in nomination. Others of the
Democratic members refused to participate in
the meeting, and, without their concurrence,
the election Of the Administration candidate
was deemed exceedingly uncertain. What was
done ? The refractory members we're convoked,
and a distinguished gentleman of this State
was authorized to assure them in the most
solemn manner, both on behalf Of the PREsI-
DENT and General NICHOLSON, that IN no erent
should The Nebraska. Kansas biz be made a
party test, nor should support Of, or opposition
to, the bill any wise affect The Standing Of The
person nth the Adminisfrdtion Of the Demo
cratic party! The pledge was accepted. The
election was made
This statement Of the Atlas, which may be
denominated "a statement with circumstance
was made in IFS columns some weeks ago, and
has attracted the attention of the press general.
ly, get 10 This day Il has not been denied by The
Union.
Acknowledging the principle that however
much disappointed and discouraged, we should
never be weary in well doing, we tell the Union
that il owes it to itself, and to its political
friends to make public a calm and d~ignifed,
though, very decided denial Of the charge Of
the Atlas.
The Union, after all that has taken place,
is not in position TO pass this matter by as
emenating from a source not entitled to con.
sideration. BY its own course, the Union has
given consequence to the Atlas, and cannot
with propriety pass over in silence a charge
brought by its quonddm respected friend.
At the risk Of being thought o~Hfcious, il
may be, in this matter, we give our advice to
the Union-indeed we do not feel at liberty to
withhold Il.
The Softs were never in good faith with the
true Democracy. The Union drove of the
Hards, not from the Democratic party, for