Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-10-27


most solemn manner, both on behalf Of the
PRESIDENT and General NICHOLSON, that IN
no eee'a should the Nebraska Kansas bill be
made a party test, nor should support of, or
opposition TO, the bill in any wise affect the
standing Of the person ,oih the Admiaisra-
non on the Democratic party! The pledge
was accepted The election was made"
These "reminiscences are things of the past
but they have an ugly look. If true, as the
Atlas declares, il was thoughtless and in
discreet thing in the Union to make an enemy
OF the Atfas--an enemy, possessed of all its
secrets-anenemy smart, sharp, unscrupulous-
an enemy that does not hesitate to "peaeh"
Nor is it alone with the Alias that the Union
has fallen out: In its issue of yesterday we
were astounded to see regular bull of ex.
communication against that great chief of the
Softs, John Van Buren,. In commenting on
late speech of Mr.. Van Buren,, the Union says:
at is hardly necessary for us to comment on
these sentiments. They erect an impossible
barrier between Mr. Van Buren, and the Demo.
cratic party. They place him so nearly on
the same platform with Mr.. Seward, that it 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 free State. Mr.. Seward is for
the same thing as to Kansas, or any other Ter
ritory that may hereafter ask admission. Mr.
Van Buren, ehfectually cuts himself loose from
the national Democratic organization by avow-
ing these sentiments. We do not assume to
read him out of the party, but we should be
untrue to Democracy if we could hesitate
moment to furnish the evidence contained in
his own speech that he has read himself out of
the party. When southern Know nothngs
shall quote from his speech to fix unsoundness
on the northern Democracy, let it be answered
at once that neither John Van Buren,, nor any
other one who entertains these sentiments and
stands on the Van Buren, platform of l848, can
claim fellowship with the national Democracy"
How Mr.. Van Buren, will bear this expul-
sion from the Democratic party remains to be
seen. We doubt not that it will draw from
him some revelations that will sadly disturb
the equanmity Of our neighbor. Cheek by
jowl as they were--sworn companions and bro
theirs in the war against the Hards, interchang-
ing no doubt the most delicate political conf
dences- We may expect disclosures from Mr..
Van Buren, that will startle and confound our
indiscreet neighbor He has a ready wit,
whitening sarcasm, a crushing ridicule, and a
most convenient political conscience. 1t is not
to be supposed that John Van Buren, will
tamely submit to the denunciations of the
central organ.
But what are we to understand by these sud-
den and hot COMBINATIONS of the Soft organ
and the Soft leader? Have political events
demonstrated to the Washington Union that it
took the wrong side in the war of the New York
Shells !? Does it mean to repudiate the whole
Soft party? Does it mean to endorse the con-
demned Hards? Does it repent and retract
If so, why does it not come out frankly and
confess that its course has been wrong?
| Like the Albany atlas, John Van Buren, is
not one whit more Of an Abolitionist now
than he was when the Union and he led
the Softs. We always told the Union that
John Van Buren, was a Freesoiler. John Van
Buren, himself proclaimed it everywhere. All
his antecedents proved it.
What can be the cause Of this sudden indig-
nation Of our neighbor? We do not perceive
that it has any more reason to hurl its thun-
derbolts against the Atlas and John Van Blu
rem now than it had years ago. Something is
in the wind
We shall not be surprised to see our neigh.
| Dor, the Union, in short time declaring in
favor Of the Hards, and acting as though it had
always sustained them. Its chief charm, like
that Of woman, consists in versatillity-in CO
quetry-in sudden and surprising changes.