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

inspiration, except that Of good sense, expe-
rience, and integrity, to administer Executive
duties We do not like that exploded doctrine
that the perpetuation Of power in particular
hands is indispensable to the safety ofthe Gov
eminent. On the contrary, we think its safety
consists in so simplifying those duties as that
they may be readily discharged by many of the
thousands who aspire to public trust amongst
US. III fares the vessel which has but one man
on board competent to command or steer her.
With these views there are many men Of hon
orable ambition who may and do properly look
forward to the period when, by fair appor-
tionment Of the honors Of the Republic, they
may aspire to. the highest gift within its be-
stowal. This is high and honorable place,
and, to multiply the applicants forit is to stmu-
late the virtue and intellectual advancement of
our people, If then, this capital prize is to be
drawn for quadrennially, it viii surely interest
more men than if it be postponed for the pro-
longed term Of eight years. The greater the
number of public men who are thus induced
to aid the success Of political party by the
enhanced prospect of sharing its honors, The
better the prospects Of success for that party.
Such is the position and such the reasons of
modern politicians in favor of the one-term
principle. We think, then, that the renomina.
ton Of Mr.. Pierce is subject to many objec-
tons; that the fact Of having held Office
once, gives him no claim to re-appointment !;
and that the Democratic party, and especially
the Southern members of that party, are under
no obligation either in honor or policy to re-
nominate him at the Cincinnati Convention.
But the question recurs, should the Demo
cratic Party, and the Southern States especial
ly, bestow their vote upon him2
To this we unhesitatingly reply in the lam
guage of our second proposition: That the
Democracy Of Virginia and of the South, hav-
ing heretofore received at the hands of Mr..
Buchanan an honest and consistent support,
and having heretofore rendered him assurances
of their confidence, may consistently, honora-
bly, and adyantageously confer their electoral
votes upon him, at the Cincinnati Convention.
In commencing the demonstration of this
proposition we deny the assumption made by
the pamphleteer, that the nomination" of any
"candidate at the Cincinnati Convention will be
equivalent to an election"
Whoever will look impartially at the field
upon which the great battle of 1856 is to be
fought will find reason for prudent calcula-
ton and for the deliberate accumulation of all
the conservative materials which can be COM
manded. Let us calmly survey the ground of
the conflict which is to be there decided.
Old parties have been broken down, chiefly
by the appreciation of the people to the prin-
ciples and policy of the Democratic Party. To
evict that party from the administration of af-
fairs most extraordinary and unnatural COM
bination of all its antagonists has been formed.
The restless, fanatica and mercenary are slow
ly gathering around the Black Republican
banner. 1t bears but one inscription, "Down
with Slavery" To meet this formidable or.
ganization and to defeat this fearful issue, the
Democracy is called to the field, but it is by
no means in perfect condition for the conflict
~ HOO ioot TIC SiCob uhdOA "htSh1 III
1852, it came into power. Discomfort, ia.
naticism, perhaps even its victories, has rent
asunder and embittered its sections against
each other. Whilst the great State of Penn.
sylvania, always true to the equipoise of the
constitution, gravitates to the immutable prin.
cples of Democracy, the State of Ohio stands
in open opposition, and New York is in preca-
rious adhesion, unless her wounded sensbili-
ties shall be cared for and healed.
But the efforts of the Democratic Party will
be, we fear, unequal to success, unless it can
combine all those who value the Union of the
States and the rights of the States above every
other consideration. Unless all these elements
of conservatism, in some respects incongruous,
can be united, the result of the Presidential
election in 1856 will be doubtful. Indeed, the
pamphleteer who has affirmed the nomination
Of any candidate to be an equivalent to an
election, admits his error by declaring subse-
quently, "if we fail to nominate him." Mr..
Pierce, ait will ALLEVIATE our Northern friends
and leave the south in a state of helpless isola-
UOn. 4 MS SHOWS Inat SO lar from the nOmf
nation of any candidate being equivalent to
an election, the nomination Of particular
individual is essential to the preservation Of
the South from isolation, and of course to pre-
serve the Democratic party from defeat,
Democratic candidate is then required who will
stand upon and maintain the Nebraska Kan
sas act, and the Missouri repeal, and who can
unite upon that basis all the elements Of con-
servatism against the nefarious designs of the
Black Republicans.
As there is at this time no other party in the
field which occupies the same position with
the Democratic Party upon this question, the
Northern States can vote for no other than
Democratic candidate.
With all our feelings interviewer with the
happiness and honor Of the State from which
we are proud to deduce our lineage, and with
whose people we are allied by every considera-