Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-11-03
THE ALBANY ATLAS, oHN VAN BUREN,
AND THE WASHINGTON UNION.

exhibited by the SOftS OF the State OF New
York is the most pitiable and humiliating.-
Composed, in a great measure, of the voters,
in opposition to Gen. CAss, they are now sup
porting men and measures that are diametri-
cally opposed to all their former professions,
and have rendered themselves a bye-word and
a reproach. 1t is a sad sight, indeed, to see
a great party which once excited the admira-
ton of the whole country, by the independent
and manly stand which it occupied in defence
of correct principles, become corrupt and pros
tituted, and while feebly protesting that it has
not changed, yet lending its influence and ex-
ertions for the support of a National Admins
tration which has outraged every principle of
Freedom, abused its highest prerogatives to adj
vance to cause of slavery-propagandism, and
lent its power to crush out" the sentiments
of justice and human rights.
Such is now the situation of that portion Of
the Democratic of the State of New-York, de-
nominated Softs. The cause of their ~prostitu-
ton has been that they have been favored in
the bestowal of the patronage of the General
Government. The National Administration
set out with a desire to know no difference
amongst Democrats. By this arrangement,
the Barnburners of the State of New-York,
came in for a large share of the offices in that
State. This aroused the jealousy of the Hunk
er or Hard section of the party, and the con-
sequence has been that in endeavoring to con-
troll the appointments in the State, the latter
have lost all. Since the removal Of Collector
Bronson a Hard has stood no chance of ap-
pointment, and the Softs have had undisputed
sway.
The re-agitation of the slavery question, pre-
cipitated upon the country by the Repeal of
the Missouri Compromise, put a new phase up
on the matter. The Hards FASTENED to avail
themselves of the opportunity, and early took
a position with the advocates of slavery extern
sion. That having become a test of Democrat
ic orthodoxy, the Softs were in danger of los
ing caste, unless they repudiated the doctrines
they had previously professed and swore fealty
to the pro-slavery cause. We are sorry to say
that the sacrifice of principle was easier with
them, than to give up Office. Very many of
the Van Buren, men of 1S4S, have learned to
pronounce the Shibboleth, and have made their
peace by renouncing their principles. They
have forgotten the noble example of BUTLER
who was decapitated in lS4S by Polk, because
he was true to his friends and to his principles.
We published an article a few weeks ago,
from the Albany Atlas, which went to show
that the Barnburners were, from some cause,
getting somewhat FESTIVE under the lash of their
task-masters, and for which it was formally
read out of the Democratic party, by the great
National Democratic Pierce pro-slavery organ,
the Washington Union. Notwithstanding the
accommodation, however, the Atlas continues
to bid defiance to the powers that be-" Its
last disclosure is, that solemn assurances have
been given by members of the Administration
hat difference of opinion upon the Repeal of
the Missouri Compromise should not be a test
of orthodoxy, but every Democrat should have
~ hSh w OACiSioC hS OWu JuuStutHt DIS 10 Tile
justice and propriety of that measure.
Now, our wellknown, eloquent and witty
friend, JOHN VAN buren,, has got himself into
difficulty. He too, has been endeavoring to
perform the impossible feat of holding on to
his principles and to the National administra-
ton at the same time. AS might have been
expected he has demonstrated that tho tbing
can't be done. One day last week he makes
a speech at Oswego, which was reported and
published, and in which he defends the resolu-
lions of the late Syracuse Convention, as being
the sam adopted by the Democrats who sup
ported VAN buren, in l84s, and as covering
the whole question now declares himself OPP
posed to the extension Of Slavery, and thinks
the best course now left, is, "to compel the
Administration to carry out in good faith" the
provisions of the Nebraska-Kan bill. which
he predicts will make Kansas a free State
but if not, he "agrees with those who say
" Kansas must be ~free.""
For uttering these heterodox views, while
supporting Mr.. PIERCE, the Union reads him
a lecture, which closes as follows -
" 1t is hardly necessary for us to comment on these sen.
timen:s. They erect an impossible barrier between Nh.
Van Euren and the democratic party. They pIace him 80
nearly on the same platform with Mr.. Seward. that II is
not easy to decide which is most hostile to the democratic
party. He is for keeping Kansas out of the Union at all
hazards, unless she comes in as a free State. Mr.. Seward
is for the same thing as to Kansas, or any other territory |
that may hereafter ask admission. Mr.. Van buren, efec- |
tually cuts himself loose from the national democratic Or !