Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-06-28
PEACE, OR RELISH DrscoRp,


For such is the issue in the coming contest
The election of the Democratic nominees Sc
cures to the country an exemption from all
legislation on the subject Of slavery. In this en-
tire exemption We have the most perfect assn
rance of a four years repose that can, by pos
sibility, be given to the country.
Is not This a consummation most devoutly
to be wished? Have not the passions and
prejudices of men in the several sections of
the country become 50 literally aroused as to be
deaf to the voice of reason, to the appeals Of
justice? Must not longer continuance of
such acrid controversies endanger the perma-
nent welfare Of the whole country?
viii not the results of such conflicts, of such
violent collisions, tend inevitably to the breed
ing of an enduring hostility between the differ
ent sections of the country?
If we could allow the question Of slavery to
be abolished from public discussion for period
of four years, the passions and prejudices, now
so inaamed, would in all healthy or patriotic
minds so subside, that mild reason would shed
her clear lustre on the true path, showing
clearly that, as nation, we may all harmoni-
ously travel the same path-that, in fact, in SO
doing consists our greatest strength, our COM
mon welfare
But, on the other hand, is it not equally
certain that the election to power of any party
known to be inclined to the initiation of
series Of the most exasperating legislation on
the subject of slavery, can by no possibility
avoid the most disastrous results of madden
ing discord, heightened by keen sense of in
justice and indignity. To what baleful results
they must lead, no one can with precision
foretel, while all feel the oppressive conviction
that they must be calamitous indeed.
What benefits, commensurate with the inevi,
table and wide spread evils can any one show
from the fool-hardy purpose of renewing and
perpetuating national discords and jealousies?
There are men, passing strange to say, who
avow their purpose to be to continue and to
inflame agitation and mutual resentment, until
there shall be no relief from the evil except in
final and complete separation.
To such we appeal not-reason has lost
with them her control, and patriotism has
abandoned their hearts. But to all right
minded and right-hearted men, who love their
country, and are disposed as well to allow to
their fellow-countrymen the full exercise of
their rights as to claim their own, we do APP
peal in the words of soberness and truth.
If the busy whispers of fell discord can be
hushed, there is sufficient Of mutual individual
regard and esteem between the members of
each of the discordant masses to leaven the
whole mass of each party and to work a whole
some sentiment of concord-to bring all par.
ties to the line Of a common Justice which
shall respect and regard each others rights.
A just conclusion can never be reached amid
the din Of actual and fierce strife-this is GER
tain-certain it is, therefore, that the placing
in power party sure to agitate with the most
exasperating measures is to take the only eff
fective step to prevent the restoration Of peace
but still more deeply to inculcate the body
polite with the rirus of direst discord.
We hope to see every member of the Demo
cratic press laboring zealodsly to place before
the public this peace offering Of the Demo
cratic party in letters of light, that no man
shall remain in ignorance.
We know such to be the wish of Mr.. b.
cHANAY and we doubt not Of Mr.. BREcKIY-
RIDGE and of their desire to have the same
most prominently and constantly before the
public mind, as one Of the very chiefest of
the ends and aims of his administration and
Of Democratic Congress.
1t is this bright rainbow Of peace, which
spans the Democratic horizon Of Mr.. BucH-
ASAN's administration, which has attracted to
the ranks of Democracy so much of the wis
dom and patriotism Of the old Wing party.
And we look with confidence to the we'll mean.
ing Of the American (who, now perceiving the
impolicy and impracticability of the views too
hastily adopted) to abandon an organization
already selfdissolved, and to join, for the pa.
triotic purpose of peace and Union, the Demo
cratic party, which alone seeks to restore an
era Of good feeling
The Democratic party in the coming cam.
paign is literally on a mission of peace, or, in
the expressive language of General Scott, it
engages in the contest to Conquer a peace