Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-04-24

Say 1T is often stated in the columns of Demo
cratic newspapers, and in the resolutions of
Democratic meetings, that the claims of every
candidate for the Cincinnati nomination should
be fully, freely, and frankly discussed, with a
view to the calculation Of Democratic senti,
ments on that important subject. We dis
tinctly approve of this position; but we wish
to see it acted on logically. The mission Of
free discussion is but half fulfilled when it is
restored to eulogium. Let each man expatiate,
if be please, on the virtues of his own candi-
date, but allow to others the right to expose
his faults. 1t is only when his merits and his
dement's are brought face to face with each
other, that we can decide with them. The
partisans of this Administration seem 10 think
differently. None more clamorously than they,
assert the right to present, even TO impose a
candidate on the Democratic party none are
more unwilling to submit the cause Of their
candidate to trial on its merits. In this, their
caution is certainly more admirable than their
consistency. For their own sake, and that Of
the unfortunate person for whom they have
secured the equivocal honor Of place in the
list Of candidates, it would have been better
had their caution prevented them from en-
countering the perils, and the consequent de.
feat which awaits them in the unequal contest
in which they have engaged. 1t is in vain
now that they seek to avert the inquiry into
the claims and merits OF their candidate. The
temerity which induced Franklin Pierce to
seek denomination should at least give him
courage to face the consequences The De.
mocrats have no idea OF being forced into act
ing the part of a crowd Of claguers, bound to
shout their applause whenever Franklin Pierce
presents himself before them. On the con.
trary, as they have been called upon to pass
Judgment on the actor, they will do so in the
manner that becomes judicious and impartial
critics. Does the President imagine that be.
cause the democracy deceived itself in 1852,
it will allow itself to be deceived by him in
1856? Does he not know that though great
party may permit itself to be humbugged by a
small man, none but a great man can hum.
bug the same party against its will2 If it
chooses to shut its eyes, and exert its magma
ton, it may accept even Pierce for leader !;
but with its eyes wide open, no one but a
partisan Of this Administration would have
the assurance TO attempt TO pass off upon
1t dwarf for giant. Nearly four years OBJ
servaton has enabled the public, and especially
the Democratic public, 10 take the dimensions
OF MIR. Pierce pretty accurately, and to estimate
with some precision his claims and his cana
city Tor the distinguished position Of leader of
the democratic army, in the most momentous
struggle that ever illustrated the political his,
tory OF the country. In such struggle we
need a leader who commands not only the con.
hdence, but the respect and the admiration Of
the party. We need man who is an exno-
nent not only Of the principles Of the party, az
enunciated in its platforms, but Of its great i'm.
pulses and sympatbies. The Democratic Par
ty is party Of sentiment as well as of convc.
ton. 1t is founded as well on the generous
and lofty impulses Of the people as upon the
stern logic Of political economy and constitu-
nonal law. II is because the sympathies and
impulses of the Democratic Party are in unison
with the sympathies and impulses which lie at
the basis Of all our national grandeur, that it
has always appealed so successfully to the
hearts Of the people. The candidate Of such a