Washington sentinel., 1856-05-31
From the Penney lvar ian Of May 90.

litical pilgrims on their journey ihither TO act
as delegates, as spectators, or us champions ol
their respective favorite candidates. Although
there are at this time numerous topics of great
interest occupying the public mind, none
awaken so much anxiety aud feeling among
all classes and all parties as the approaching
Democratic National Convention.
1t is interesting as voluntary assemblage
of the representatives of the people, meeting
together in their primary capacity, to consum-
mate the initiatory step towards selecting a
ruler to guide the destinies Of this great nation,
and as another illustration Of the capacity for
selfgovernment and ability to so combine the
action Of the masses as o meet every important
exigency Of governmental policy, peculiar to
the American people.
| IL is interesting as political assemblage,
distinct from and independent Of the regularly
| organized government, OF the representatives
of every section Of our widespread confederacy
| Separated by thousands OF miles from each
other, one common object draws them together
| from their distant homes. The sons Of Maine
grasp hands with their political brethren of
California. The Democrat Of Iowa greets his
| brother Democrat of Florida. The North,
| South, East and West are all thoroughly repre-
| sented, and each part Of the great whole that
makes up the Union sends delegate to ex
its Democratic citizens.
| 1t is interesting because most wcighty and
momentous affairs will be greatly affected by
the result Of its deliberations. A nations well
fare hangs trembling in the hands Of its mem
bers. A nations solicitude will hover over its
| proceedings. Millions Of men will eagerly
await the announcement of its proceedings,
and after ascertaining the result, millions Of
hearts will throb with Joy if their expectations
and desires are grati6ed, or with sorrow if they
are disappointed.
The doings Of the Cincinnati Convention will
be pregnant with important consequences to
America-perhaps to the world. The dele
gates should, and we think they will, bring to
their task, that calm but earnest spirit of
patriotism and devotion to the welfare of the
country which rises above all sordd considera-
tons, all mere petty jealosies, patry trick
cries, and low schemings, and be animated by
the sole desire to promote the success and ad-
| vancement of that noble organization, the
Democratic party, which has been to the nation
from its foundation to the present hour as "a
pillar of cloud by day and pillar OF fire by
night" and thus. through its success, secure
the continued we'll being of our beloved country.
At this juncture it is particularly important
that the proceedings Of the Cincinnati Conven-
ton should be of character satisfactory to the
country at large. Link by link the chains that
| once bound our Union SO closely together are
becoming weakened, if not broken. National
Conventions of any character, whether political
or otherwise, are becoming too rare The re-
cent Know-nothing Convention was but sorry
burlesque of a rational gathering, and severed
in twain ere its deliberations were concluded.
Close upon the heels Of the Democratic Ma
tiona Convention We are TO have the Black
Republican Convention, in which the nomina-
ton of Presidential candidate, who will as
pire to rule over the whole nation, will be made
by delegates representing but one.balf of the
States. To the Democratic Convention all
patriotic hearts, therefore, turn as the repre-
sentative of the only true National organza-
ton, and the only body capable of furnishing
truly National candidate, who will be nomi
mated, canvassed for, elected, and after being
elected, administer the affairs of government
upon truly National principles.
We believe that in many campaigns, compa-
ratively little depends upon who is the Demo-
cratic nominee, provided he is an honest, tai
ented man, and sound Democrat. At this
moment, however, we but express the general
conviction in saying, that much depends upon
who shall be the nominee. The times demand
a safe, judicious, experienced man, in whose
soundness of judgment, weight of character,
exalted integrity, and hightoned patriotism,
general confidence is entertained. The country
needs at her helm now, as much if not more
than ever before, a statesmen of well-approved
administrative ability, and profound knowledge
of all our complicated public affairs, foreign
and internal. 1t must be evident to the most
careless observer that the coming four years
will be big with events Of the greatest impor-
tance, and to guide us safely through all the
exigencies that may naturally be expected we
need prudent and skillful President.
We have never known period when the
robes Of party hung so loosely upon so many
men as at present. Old organizations have
been broken up, and old political combinations
to great extent DESTROYED. With that nume-
rous body who are at this moment pondering
the political question "where shall CO." the
character Of the candidate nominated by the
Cincinnati Convention will do much to deter
mine whether we are to have their assistance
or their opposition at the polls in November.
We have an abiding confidence that the Gin.
cinnati Convention will take these and all other
facts legitimately bearing upon its duties fairly
into consideration-that it will hearken, too, to
the will Of the nation as poured out daily and
hourly by the masses everywhere, and remem-
Der that the irresistible public sentiment mani
tested now in regard to the nominee, emanates
from the same tribunal that must pass final
| judgment Of approval or condemnation upon
its action. Great as are its powers, ii is rs but
a thin gauze veil dimly conccaling the greater
power-lhe people themselves-who are now
| looking anxicusly forward to its proceedings.
Delegates to Cincinnati, there are among you
many wise men, able men, true men. Let not
your reason be clouded, let not passion and
prejudice, mislead you. Give us that man
whom your clearest judgment, your incest dis
elimination and most earnest, thoughtful, de-
liberation, leads you to think will make the
best nominee. Carefully counsel with each
other, consider whose probabilities of election
will be greatest, whose capacities, when elected,
will contribute most 10 the welfare Of the ma
ton. The country has right to demand this
Of you, and if you CRAFTY that reasonable ex.
peciation, it will be satisfied with the result Of
your deliberations.
Fatal DusI at Pass Chrtsttsn.
| We regret to state that The hostile meeting
which we informed our readers was contem-
| ,lotad hntwacn twn r,rorninpnt md w known