Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-04-19

pected from their brave and patriotic nature
but that they should have steadily preserved
their fidelity to the Democratic party, and re-
sisted the seductive appeals of its enemies,
proves that there are some Northern" men TO
whom Gan assurance of support for the Presl-
dency" does not constitute an irresistible in
ducement to abandon their principles.
For there can be no doubt that Mr.. Pierce,
by admitting the claims of the Freesoil De-
to an equal participation in the pat
ronage of the Government without having re-
CURED any remuneration of their principles or
removing such National De-
mocrats as Bronson from Office because they
refused to fraternize with these intruders, and
by promising to such unshriven enemies OF the
Union as General Dix the most honorable and
responsible offices in his gilt, has 80 exaspe-
rated the National Democracy of the North,
that they win in no event unite upon his sup
mort Indeed. they demand his head in
charger as condition of any cooperation
with the Democratic party IN the ensuing can
yass. II is well known that no ticket can sue
coed unless it unites the whole conservative
vote. II is equally obvious that with the vote
of The National Democrats either in opposition
or neutrality, conservative success Is lmpossi-
BILE. Nor can any who look TO the success OF
the Democratic party in the ensuing contest as
indispensable to the prosperity, perhaps TO the
permanence of our Government, deny that the
vote of New York will be a most important
figure in the electoral column of the victor;
and the same may be said of the great States
of the Northwest. Nowhere is the hatred OF
the National Democrats against fanaticism
more intense than in the States OF Indiana,
Illinois and Ohio, and nowhere do they de.
mand with more determination to be led to
combat By some national, consistent and reso-
lutte Democrat, free from any personal impedi-
ments which would impair his efficiency and
divert the public mind upon collateral and i'm
material issues. But Mr.. Pierce has incurred
another disability, inevitable, perhaps, by an
Executive incumbent. He has, in the distri-
button of official patronage, ncensed and
offended thousands, who are now lying in wait
for an opportunity to repay what they choose
to deem an unjust disregard Of their claims.
This element of opposition, to some extent I'M
scrupulous and revengeful--an interest which
will not hesitate to destroy even the temple
dedicated to Democratic harmony, if it can
thereby reach those who are obnoxious-is
dangerous and to be deprecated. Executive
patronage has been unhappily of late years re-
garded as the personal perquisite of the in
cumbent; and the Administration Of Mr..
Pierce has so far advanced in this improper
policy, as to consider the distribution of this
patronage legitimate means of promoting
not only the personal interests of the Execu-
tive, but each department, with a wary view
to the future--casts its iavors upon the politi-
cal waters, that, after many days, they may be
returned with usury to the giver. If, then, this
valuable material of influence, committed to the
Administration as fiducial deposit Cor the bene-
fit the Democratic party, has been wasted and
lost in selfish and unworthy application to the
personal advancement Of those who hold il,
they can but expect indulgence for perverted
trust, and can, with no shadow of justice, ask
an indemnity for an injudicious speculation.
1t is an adventure made with iduciary fund,
and the profit or loss must be matter of per.
sonal settlement. Without asserting to the
proposition of the pamphleteer, that the South
should avail itself of any expedient of self
protection" it must be admitted that the pa.
tronage Of the Federal Government has be-
come material element of political success,
and may be honorably employed to enhance
the chances of victory. 1t is the military
chest and the magazine Of political warfare;
but this important element has been totally ex.
pended by the existing Administration. Gen
eral Pierce is emphatically out Of ammunition.
If continued in power he can make no :-ate-
rial change in the official personnel Of the
party. There can be small hope Of vacancies
or Of promotion II is well known, moreover,
that an oflice-holder who has been withdrawn
for some years from the locality where he has
been active and translated 10 Washington, has
no more influence than if be had been dead
for the same length Of time. Upon the other
hand, the Black Republican party is openly in
the field for recruits. 1t is offering pay,
bounty, and plumber. II will run anew the
Missouri line of Office, and will promote no one
to station or salary who is not ut heart Free
soiler. The Democratic party will need some
of this element Of patronage. 1t must be at
least able to counterfeit the designs Of its an
tagonists by offering an equivalent induce.
ment the present Administration will, as we
have shown, have none to bestow. 1t has even
given to the Freesoilers the insane hope of Sc.
curing their services by number Of valuable
Offices, which it cannot take away without &C.
knowledgiug in the face Of the world the con-
sideration upon which it was bestowed. Any
attempt on the part Of this Administration to
evct the stipendaries from Office, would result
in an exposure Of the true consideration upon
which its bestowal had been founded. The