Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-03-04
A COOL PRoPosITIoN.


The Southern Know-nothing papers very
cooy advise that the Democratic party, instead
Of making their own nominations for the Presi-
dency and Vice Presidency, shall adopt the
Know-nothing nominees for those two high
and honorable Offices. This mpudence is IN
deed sublime. They say that if the Demo-
cratic party wish sound, conservative, State
rights President, they ought al once 10 take
Mr. Fillmore, and thank God for being so
highly favored What, say they, j. the use Of
n Democratic nominee, when such man as
Mr. Fillmore is offered 10 the country?
We shall not gravey argue the question
with these gentlemen. since the grave discus
sion of such question would be ridiculous;
but we would with all due humility suggest to
them that they permit the great National De
mocracy to choose for themselves.
The only struggle in the South is between
the Democrats and the Know-nothings. Thus
far, with The exception of two or three States,
the former have signally triumphed. Yet,
smarting as they do under their overwhelming
disasters, the Know-nothings, with brazen
effrontery, call upon the victors to ground their
arms, abandon their organization, and deliver
up themselves body and soul
Yet something must be allowed to them
some Indulgence in the way Of eXultstion,
since, notwithstanding the thick array Of diff
culties that encompassed their late convention,
they managed to make a nomination Their
hearts were much oppressed by sadness during
some stages Of that convention. They were
menaced at every turn with grand rupture.
A total want of sympathy and congeniaiiy
was manifested by the ill-assorted elements Of
which it was composed 1t was plainly seen
that what would please the South would dis
please the North, and rice rersa. II was found
to be impossible to agree npou platform that
should clearly, inteligibly. and decidedly ex-
press aarthing on the subject Of slavery. The
difficulty was. therefore, avoided By adopting
a platform that contains nothing but empty,
unmeaninr words. This, weak and wishy.
washy Is IL was, drove from the convention the
delegates from seven or eight States. who re
nudate both its resolutions and nominations.
After this stampede. what was left Of the con.
vention proceeded 70 make nominations. When
those nominations were made, the convention
INDUCED itself in demonstrations Of the widest
ioy. As soon as the telegraph communicated
the fidngs to the masses Of the party, they,
like their representatives in the convention,
also became frantic with delight. In their de
lerium they seem 10 have mistaken the noni-
nation for an election, and have been firing
guns, holding meetings, and making speeches
ever since.
WHY the Southern wing Of the party should
be SO transported with delight al the nomina-
t;on, we n IT understand. They will be at
loss them Ives TO assign satisfactory reason
for it. when they are reminded Of the anti
slavery opinions expressed by their candidate
in his Erie letter of descriptions yet to be
retracted and when they remember, too, that
M to this time he has been as dumb as
oyster in regard to the Nebraska bill; that he
has never expressed himself either for or
against It's repeal, and has never manifested
bis sympathies in respect to those difficulties
which are now agitating the young Territory,
and are of so grave and momentous charac-
ter as 10 have drawn from the President of the
United States one elaborate special message
and one well considered proclamation.
On all these questions Mr. Fillmore his been
discree'ly dumb. and yet his friends in the
South blinded BIZ their hatred Of the Democ.
racy and their admiration for him, are throw
ing up their hats and shouting at the top Of
their voices. Indeed, they 90 so far as to say
that it is the duty of the Democratic party to
aid in his election.
Excuse rs gentlemen. if you please. When
we offer our candidates to the people of this
country, we will offer men who have written
no !" Erie letters'-men who are not afraid to
open their mouths; men who are opposed TO
United States Banks. high tariffs, and all Of
the old Federal measures; men who have de-
clared their opinions on the Kansas question
in all its aspects and bearings, and who have
not only expressed but acted out sound con-
servative principles.
That Mr.. Fillmore is dignfed gentleman
and man Of ability and experience in public
affairs, we unhestatingly concede, bnt what
claim be has to the support of Southern men
for the high Office, for which he now stands as
a candidate, we cannot see. But no matter
what opinions be may hereafter express on the
subjects to which we have alluded, he will still
be the Knownothing candidate.
As it is, however. he stands on platform
that means nothing. and is himself altogether
unpledged. Whether he will remain dumb and
uppledged to the end Of the canvass, remains
TO be seen.