Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-04-29
DECENTRALIZATION.


4 nomination of candidate for the Presi
dency should be in harmony with the inslitn-
tons of the couutry-with the whole object,
purpose aud character Of the Government
The constitution was adopted, and the Republic
established, for great political ends--as great
public benefaction';o tie people Of this coun-
try and the world. Upon us it was intended TO
confer immediate, social, POLITICAL and religious
benefits upon all mankind it was designed to
be an example Of free and orderly government.
There was nothing selfish in the movement; 10
was indeed great patriotic, benevolent under
taking in which the Fathers Of the Republic
pledged and hazarded their lives, their for
tunes, and their sacred honor In that day
were many statesmen. Personal ambition was
confined strictly to promoting public interests.
1t was not then that rewards were asked as
peculiar consideration for Reritorious services;
men were not thrust forward for what they had
done at the expense Of the cause they had adj
vocated. The only notable instance, in the
whole war Of the Revolution, and in all suisse
quent trials growing our Of attempts to turn
its triumphs 10 practical account, in which an
individual put forth peculiar claims for per
sonal advancement and, being overlooked,
turned against his associates and his country,
was that Of Benedict Arnold. Perhaps the ca
reer Of Gen. Arnold as well illustrates as that
of any other American, the stupendous folly Of
urging compensation to individuals beyond
that which springs spontaneously from the
hearts Of the people. Gates achieved victories
over the enemy and sought as reward to be
permitted to supplar the Father Of his Country
in the chief comm the army. Van Blu
rem deemed himsc ly paid and made his
rejection by the people in 1910, and bis over
throw by the convention four years after, suf
6cient ground for abandoning party to which
be was indebted for his political estates, and
uniting his strength 10 that of the abolitionists
We have now the case Of Gen. Pierce, urg
ing his claims upon the country as a further
reward for services performed in behalf Of the
State. lie entered the Presidential Office, three
years ago, as the almost unanimous choice Of
the people. The slavery question had Just
closed, and everybody was fatigued with its
agitation as an element Of politics Both
branches Of Congress we're with him, the PEG.
pie were with him-the country was quiet,
prosperous, and pre-eminenty patriotic. But
three years have passed aud the Executive, Of
whom much was expected, has not real friend
in the Senate, and, il the House, they are like
angels visits, few and far between In the
largest section Of the Union he is not only
without supporters, but is regarded with senti-
ments Of unmingled contempt. He is, how
ever, candidate for the Presidency, and is
nominally supported by men who know how
unfit he is for the Office and how much he
dishonors the American name.
What condition Of things more than this, is
calculated to demoralize the politics Of the
country, and to cast upon its representatives
such stain Of dishonor? Does it not make
hypocricy rule Of conduct? Does il not de-
grade the legislative character Of the nation
What is TO be the gain in defeating the nomi.
nation Of Mr.. BUCHANAN at CINCINNATI Is
to build up the party2 Isit TO consolidate the
Democratic sentiment Of the Republic? Can
those ends be effected by his defeat and by the
denomination Of Pierce, or by the presentation
Of an individual whose character is diluted bv |
the Jealous support Of the President He has
power only now to carry down all his associates
to political perdtion, and the descent is easy
and the motion rapid. He has no power 70
build up, no constructive material or genus.
He carried the Legislature Of Connecticut
against us and lost US Senator. That Senator
was his official apologist; was he The Presi.
dents friend? Rhode Island was swept away
by the hooks and ladders OF the Admnisira-
ton, by the lightweight Of endorsements
forced from the Democracy through official de.
pendants. New Jersey, unanimous for BUcH |
ASAN, freed from the fearful weight OF coalition /
with the Executive, stands in the viyor o. he \
Democratic power and pride. PENNSYLVANIA.
bold in denouncing General Pierce. unanimous,
too, in endorsement Of Old Buck, gloriously
triumphs over the combined foes Of Democracy.
Are these tokens Of public sentiment to be for.
gotten, and is the Democratic party to be forced .
into such position at such time, as to com.
pei i to surrender its Senator'S in Pcnnsylva. 4
mia, in New Jersey, il Rhode Island, in Mich. 4
gan, in Maine, in Indiana, and Wisconsin? Is
it not enough that We are compelled to lose
The Presidency but must we superadd 10 this,
defeat in the Senate, defeat in the House, and
be sunken into permanent minority all over
he Union, because there is not moral frmness
enough in our representatives TO reject at once