Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-12-22
THE ORGANIZATIoN-TH DEMoC-
RACY AND THE CONSERVATIVE
KNOW-NOTAINGS


culations. The organization of the House Of
Representatives which by many has been
eagerly looked for from hour to hour seems to
be as tar oil as 1T was at the beginning. On
does not yet appear. But the unsound ele
ments in the House having thus iar--neary
three weeks--Eliled to effect an organization, il
begins TO bea prevailing as it is a most inter-
esting inquiry, cannot a union of the sound
aud conservative elements of the House bring
about this much desired result? Bysound and
conservative elements are meant the Demo
Gratis, the Southern Wings snd Know-uothiugs,
and such OF the Northern Know-nothings as
refuse TO affiliate with the Freesoiers.
The main difficulty, and it is in our opinion
more imaginary than real, in the way of a
union Of the conservative Know-nothings with
the Democracy, with the view of electing the
Speaker and other officers, is the resolution
which was adopted at the Democratic caucus
The Southern know-nothings say that the
resolution is offensive to them, and that so long
as it stands, they cannot aid the Democracy by
their votes. Manyof them declare with much
emphasis and more passion that the response.
bility of not organizing rests on the Demo
Gratis, and that the true cause of il is to be
found in the resolution of the Democratic
caucus.
Now, in orderto show that the resolution so
bitterly complained of, is altogether molten
sive and entirely right and proper, NE subjoin
it:
RESOLVED, That the Democratic members Of
the House Of Representatives, though in
temporary minority in this body deem this a
lit occasion to tender to their fellow-citzens of
the whole Union their heartfelt congratu lations
on the triumph, IN the recent elections in seve-
raj OF the northern, eastern, and western, as
well as southern States, Of the principles Of the
kansas-N ebraska bill and the doctrine of civil
and religious liberty which have been so pio-
lently assaied bya secret political order known
as the known-nothing party; and though in a
minority, we hold it to be our highest duty TO
preserve our organization and continue our
efforts IN the maintenance and defence of those
principles and the constitutional rights Of every
section and every class of citizens against
their opponents of every description, whether
the so-called Republicans, Know-nothings, or
Fusionists; and TO this end, we look with con-
hdence to the support and appreciation of all
good aud true men--friends of the Constitu.
ton. and the Union throughout the country.
This resolution was adopted at Democratic
caucus of the members of the House of Rep
resentatives. A new Congress was Just about
to meet. Many of the members of it were
fresh from the excited contests that have taken
place between the different parties in the diff
ferent States. In many Of the States, the
only enemy they had to encounter was the
new order. In other Of the States their
enemies were the Black Republicans. In
others, still they had to- contend against
both Of these organizations. These con-
tests were marked by an unusual rancor
and virulence. Even in the Southern States,
where, with the exception Of an ignoble few,
there was a perfect concurrence Of opinion be-
tween the two parties in regard to the great
question Of slavery, political animosites were
inaamed to the highest degree
The Democratic members coming fresh from
these acrimonious contests, aud bringing with
them vivid recoections Of the trying scenes
through which they had just passed. assembled
in caucus almost before they had the time to
brush from their garments the dust of travel
Seeing that they were in a minority in the
House, aud determined to make no corrupt
bargains or entangling alliances, and deter.
mined also to maintain, in its integrity, the
organization which they had with so much diff
fculty preserved, the Democrats adopted the
above resolution.
We maintain, whatever may be thought TO
the contrary that the resolution is unexcep-
tionable. 1t merely reasserts what was as
serted in all the canyasses in all the States. Ii
was, too, but renewal Of the pledges that the
Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western
Democrats are wont to make to each other
when they first meet together, after an ex.
citing contest. II bat expresses what Demo
Gratis have right to express at all times, and
on all occasioas-their loyalty to Democratic
principles, and their antagonism to all parties
that oppose them. The language Of the reso.
luton is as mild and courteous as il is possible
for language to be.
Yet this resolution is the subject Of great
and grievous complaint on the part of South
ern Know.nothngs, and many Of them declare
that although they are anxious TO vote for the
Democratic. candidate, in preference TO the
Freesoil candidate, for Speaker, that they can
not do so with the resolution hanging over
their heads. In other words, they demand the
rescison Of IT, They demand IT. too. in the
face of disclaimer by the author of the reso
luton, made on the floor Of Congress, Of any
intention TO offend the sensibilities of any CON.
sentative man. They demand il, too. in the
face Of the fact, that the resolution concludes
with the following language, which conserve.
tive Know-nothings might very properly an
proprate TO themselves:
ave look with confidence TO the support
and appreciation Of all good and true men