Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-08
THE NEXT PRESIDENCY.


fact, were the power of nomination in our con-
trol-as fortunately it is not-the exercise OF
it would be matter of great difficulty, and to
which we would devote much consideration.
distinguished statesmen of eminent services,
admitted capacity, and elevated patriotism, that
there would be much difficulty in the selection.
While, however, we have neither the wish nor
the right to dictate the candidate, yet there are
certain considerations connected with the ques
ton in which all true Democrats should feel a
deep interest, and to these general consdera
tons we propose to call attention.
In the first place, the next Presidential cleo
ton will be one of far greater Importance than
any which has taken place since the memoir
able conflict of 1900. 1t may even be doubted
whether that contest, in its Immediate results,
involved higher or more vital consequences.
The Alien and Sedtion laws we're dangerous
infractions of the Constitution. The general
tendency Of all the movements of the Federal
party were to consolidation and the destruction
OF the reserved rights of the States, but it may
well be questioned whether the immediate
effects of their success would have been as dis
astrous as would be the success of the fusion
which is now arrayed against the Democratic
party. In the one instance the wrong done,
admitted of a remedy. Legislative usurpations
might be revoked-rights of the States invaded
might be reinstated. In the present case, the
wrong contemplated by the Fusionists, banded
under the name of Republicans, is Of char
acter which, once perpetrated, admits of no
remedy. Like applying fire to magazine, the
explosion becomes necessary consequence.
Nothing can prevent it. The success of the
objects avowed by the Black Republicans
would produce feeling in the South which
could not be controlled. An alienation would
be produced between the two sections disas
There is, with the most conservative Southern
men-we make the declaration with sorrow
and regret-a growing fear that the power OF
the Federal Government is destined to be used,
at no very future day, for the destruction OF
their institutions. Recent developments have
contributed much to produce this belief. The
success of the Black Republicans in the COM
ing Presidential election would change that
fear into conviction; and when that is effected,
it is as idle to talk about Union as it would be
to arrest the course Of the live lighting,
when it once leaps from the cloud. Black Re
publicanism openly avows means and ends, to
which one section of this Union has no more
idea of submitting than it would of submitting
to change of the government into mon
archy. The corollary from this plain fact
and undoubted state Of things is, that the
triumph Of the Fusionists would involve the
peace and harmony of the country. The only
party which holds out the slightest prospect of
a triumphant contest with this dangerous or.
ganization, is the Democratic party. Upon
this great party-a party which has saved the
Constitution in so many trying periods-now
rests the solemn responsibility of again rescu-
ing it from what we honestly regard as the
felest peril which has ever yet menaced it.
1t is readily seen from this brief synopsis Of
matters that the harmony OF the Democratic
party is desiderdtum Of the most important
character, for, without that harmony, Black
Republicanism may succeed. We do not be-
lieve that upon any matter of civil or religious
liberty, or even Of constitutional construction,
there exists among us such diversity Of
opinion as is at all likelyto produce disorgani.
zation. II there be any dissensions, they will
result from the struggle between the friends of
the different leading statesmen for the Presi.
dental nomination. This is the only rock
upon which the Democracy are in the slightest
danger of splitting. And we appeal to the
friends of all the expectants not TO suffer their
zeal for their respective favorites to mslead
them into position jeoparding the harmo-
Nous action Of the party. If the Democratic
army remains united, various and apparently
dangerous as are the combinations against it,
we feel absolutely certain Of its triumphant
success. But, If in advocating the claims Of
special favorites, they permit their personal or
local attachments to seduce them into assaults
upon other aspirants, and thus produce crimi-
nation and recrimination, the consequences
must be serious not only to their special pets,
but also to the Democracy, and more than
both to the peace, harmony, and quiet of the
country. The elevation Of particular perso
nal or political friend is unques,ionably an OBJ
ject which appeals to the instincts Of generous
natures, and is well calculated to elicit the
energies and exertion Of such. But it should
be remembered that the interests of the coun.
try are Of vital moment-that the good of the
country is inseparably interviewer with the
harmony Of the Democratic party, and that it
should not be jeoparded causelessly or from
any motive of advancing individual aspirations
Let the Democratic party remain unted-let
chickering's and ordinations be avoided-let
the struggle for the Presidential nomination
be conducted in kind and brotherly spirit