Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-05-03
1.-THE STRUCTURES OF THE BALTI-
| MORE REPUBLICAN, ON THE SENTI-

rights.
THE STRUCTURES OF THE BALTI-
MORE REPUBLICAN ON THE sENTI-
MEL.
1t has pleased the Baltimore Republican TO
indulge itself in some ill.natured remarks on
the course which we have thought fit to pursue.
After taking MS TO task for some recent articles
those, we presume, relating to the unfortu-
nate Cuba policy Of the Administration, and
to the inconsistent course Of the Washington
Union-the Republican, with lofty and impe-
rial air, says:
off the Sentinel has joined the ranks of the
opposition, let il honestly say so; we shall then
know how to treat it. But don't let that sheet
pretend to Democracy while it is laboring to
sow discord in the Democratic ranks, and is
giving aid and comfort to its enemies"
The time has passed by when such attacks
can either do us damage or disturb our equa-
nimity From the foundation Of the Sentinel
up to this hour we have pursued the same IN
deviating course. We have sought TO be
honest, outspoken, and Independent. Neither
ibellers, nor panegyrists, we have censured
when we felt that animadversion was called for;
we have commended when we thought that
commentator was due. We have never
claimed, we have never desired to be, the
organ of those in power. We have had
higher and a nobler aim-to be the honest
organ of the American Democracy Our
worst enemies cannot accuse us Of having
swerved in any instance from Democratic prin-
ciples. We do not arrogate to ourselves more
than is just, when we say that we have, under
all circumstances, sternly rigidly, and faithfully,
adhered to the principles of the Democratic
party. We have done so in sunshine and in
storm.
If to follow the reputed organ Of the Admin.
istraton in all its changes and tergiversations,
be the test Of Democracy, then we win no
doubt be found wanting. Sometimes, prema-
ture in its expressions Of opinion, it has, and
without any apparent hesitancy or chagrin,
most obediently eaten its own words, on dis
covering that the Administration held differ
ent views. At other times it has been lost on
sea Of conjecture. Nor has il been unusual to
see it take both sides Of question in the
course Of few days. That no doubt, squares
with the Republicans ideas Of Democracy. 1t
does not agree with ours.
We indicated our course in our prospectus
andSin our first articles. We said that we
should support the policy Of the Administra.
ton when in harmony with Democratic prin-
ciples and policy, and oppose it when at va
rance with those principles and that policy.
This we have done. And yet upon the whole we
have, we believe, been more consistent in sup.
porting the Administration than has been its
reputed organ.
What the Republican likes" and what it
dislikes, are to us matters Of equal Indifference
We shall pursue the even tenor Of our way,
regardless either of its praise or its censure.
When the Sentinel was first issued we were
furiously set upon, by all those presses and
politicians who bold that servilityis the greatest
virtue. and independence the greatest vice that
a Washington newspaper can possess We
stood our ground, and II, in our unsought battle
with our adversaries, we did not achieve a
triumph, we at least came unscathed ont Of the
conflict. They have given up the contest, and
left us where we we're at first II is too late in
the day for the Republican or any other journal
to seek TO renew the strife.
II the Republican desires to know whether
the Sentinel is Democratic or an Opposition
press, let it refer to our past course. Should
il see fit TO engage in that investigation, we
defy It to point to one single instance in which
we have deviated from the Democratic creed.
When tho reputed organ has been afraid to
speak, we have spoken out boldly. When it
has taken both sides of the same question, we
have taken and adhered to one side--the
Democratic side. But enough-nor should we
have said this much, but for the unprovoked
attack Of the Baltimore Republican.