Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-05-01
THE "HIcHMoND ENQUIRER" AND
EGSIDENT PIERCE.

those who do not regard him as immaculate as
itself. There is temperatures about the ar
tcle which invites rejonder in the same
spirit. We, therefore, have determined to ex-
pose the talacies with which the article, we
are constrained TO say, abouAds, but 10 main
tain good temper and becoming fairness in do
ing so.
We regret to say that we cannot precisely
agree with our contemporary idea of the
independent neutrality of the Enquirer,
which, like The Washington Jni0a, it seems it
has resolved to exercise I'm the struggle for
the nomination of the Cincinnati Conyention!"
1t is our misfortune, perhaps, to be too practi
cal, and to have paid too little attention TO meta
physical distinctions. Hence we must be ex.
cused for not exactly seeing an independent
neutrality" 10 paper advocating the claims
Of no particular candidate for the nomination,
and the editor OF the same paper vouchsafng
to the Democracy of Virginia elaborate
pamphlet recommending but one individual
for that position. 1t is not the mere paper and
ink that gives direction and influence to po.
l!tical journal; il is the opinions aud sentiments
of its conductors and editors. And if these
publish pamphlet taking different course
garded as supplement to that paper. When
is it that the Richmond Enquirer will not
henceforth ne regarded as Pierce paper-an
editor is more than human if he can be as
liz in "a, If tba
dency as our friend of the Enquirer has shown
himself to be Of General Pierce-if he can SO
master his impulses to prevent his prefer
ences from peeping out even in the paper
itself?
After announcing its intention to be the
guardian-ge of the private and public
characters If every distinguished and trusted
Democrat, te goodly work it has chalked out
for itself) tie Enquirer goes on to protest
against the attacks on President Pierce, in
which certain journals in the interest of Mr.
BUCHANAN necessarily indulge. We waive its
epithels Of d" trcacherous friends" because we
are quite su e we were not meant TO be EN-.
braced il tiIs category. Treachery implies
breach Of faith, Of confidence, Of actions run
ming counter to professions. The accusation
will not lie AGAINST US, as we never had the for
tune, good O bad, to occupy any such relation
TO his Exec, ncy Franklin Pierce.
Further: inquirer assumes the high po-
sition TO- neral Pierce of " acknowledged
Chief and representative of the Democratic
rartri" ord f,r,bar y aosa-te & IL. Al..;,;.
tra,ion to b. Democratic Administrations
Now, to these two propositions we take issue
with the Enquirer. To be the "Chef and
Representative Of the Democratic party" the
ACTS of his Administration must accord closely
with the principles of that party. Only so
long as lie preserves this relation can be entite
himself TO 50 grandiloquent title Has he
preserved it2 shall be our present inquiry
Now, we pr,p pose to make the investigation
more brief By asking few plain and simple
questions Of The Enquirer itself
General Pierce came into power almost by
reclamation. The harmony Of the Democratic
party was 50 complete that it had almost
broken up anything like an organized opposi-
ton. In a lew short months his anti Demo-
cratic course, by interfering with, and employ.
ing his patronage to effect, State elections
produced the first blast Of discord and revolt
What was this? The New York controversy
Of Hards and Softs, as it was termed.
Now, we ask the Enquirer if it considered
the course Of the Administration in this par
ticular wise Or Democratic? Did the Enquirer
relish the v;alization, which was the immedi
ate result Of this policy, Of The pI,ole FreesoR
party in The Norttf Did not the paans that
went up from this party and its organs every
where, in gratitude TO Franklin Pierce, CRATE
harshly upon the ears Of our contemporary
Was he not our coadjutor, aud able coadiutor,
for months in the most earnest remonstrance
and condemnation Of the prostration Of the
constitutional men Of the North, which wa,
the confessed result Of this anti Democratic
and unpatriotc act Of this man whom he has
anonted as the great " Chief aud Representa-.
tive Of the Democratic party2" Let his o,cn
columns ans'-er. Then surely in this we have
sinned not more than the editor Of the ENQUIRER
against the great Chief
Were not the constitutional sensibilities Of
the Enquire equally shaken with our own at
the proposition oft members Of the cabinet,
and in the bearing Of this Chief Of the De
mocratic patty to construct Pacific railroad
out OF Government means2 How long would
Old Hickory have stood by in silence at such
vandalism upon one Of the most prominent
and cardlnat principles in the States rights
creed? Wa this being the Representative
Of the Democratic pary?" Let the ENQUIRER
consult its own columns again for its opinion
OF this here y. Free trade AID opposition to
protective arifT is one Of the principles which
90 to make up the Democratic party, and vet
this wonderfl "Chief and Re1resentatire of