Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-07-15
. WE DRAW THE LINE THERE

1--WE DRAW THE LINE THERE
In one of Dickeus's inimitable descriptions
we remember the scene in which, while the
barber is dressing the hair of the little Misses
Kenwigs, Coal-heaver comes in, when a dia-
logue ensnes:
You won't get shaved here, my man."
"Why not?r said the Coal-heaver
We don't shave gentlemen in your line"
remarked The young proprietor.
Why, see YOU shaving of baker when
! was looking through the window last week."
said the Coal-heaver.
It's necessary to draw the line somewhere,
my fine Teller" replied the principal. I'VE
draw the line there. We can't 90 beyond
bakers. II We was to get any lower than
bakers our customers would desert US, and we
might shut up shop. You must try some other
establishment, sir. We couldn't do it here"
This reminds US forcibly of the candidates
and nominees of the several conventions for
the Presidency and Vice Presidency.
In the good old times, when patriotism and
wisdom, high political attainments, and un-
doubted adherence TO the Constitution, moral
worth and devotion to principle, that knew no
variableness shadow of changing, were
the only passports to preferment, such men as
Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe,
Jackson and Polk, were elected by the people,
and the country prospered and was happy.
But when political parties began to pick up
,lal;
they we're so obscure that nothing was known
Of their antecedents, and therefore nothing
could be said against them, the race of litls
,insn began to grow great by degrees until we
Tear at last they will become "-torcibly feeble
And then every coal-heaver began to say,
didn't ] see you shaving of baker when
was looking through the window last week,
and why may not have my face washed here,
too?"
Now, forsooth, every adventurer who plants
a flag on the Rocky Mountains, or has become
famous, or Infamous, by attempting 10 set up
"higher law" above the Constitution and who
endeavors TO tear down and trample the flag
of the Union under his feet expects not only
TO be permitted to peep through the window,
but to occupy the highest places in the gift of
the people, and, from his elevated position,
only the more to display ignorance, and AFRO.
gance, and to prove bis fitness to destroy rather
than TO beautify and adorn.
1t is time the people should say we don't
shave gentlemen in your line" When q sage
who has devoted life time to the study Of
the science of Government and has, by deyo-
ton to the honored principles of our fathers,
proved himself true and worthy of trust, pre-
sents himself or is presented by men who
show by word and deed their attachment to
the Union, TO the whole country, North and
equality Of rights, fundamental principles long
established and cherished, we may devote our
selves to elevate such a sage to the highest
Office in our gift. But when man Of straw
is set up by himself or by men whose pa
triotsm is limited to a geographical line, who
believe one-half Of these great States are peo-
pied by moral lepers, so deeply dyed in sin,
that they are unfit to be associated within
religion, unfit to kneel side by side by them
as they roll up their hypocritical eyes in sasc-
timonious solemnity, unfit to occupy positions
OF trust or Of honor, which they alone in
their imagined purity have the right the alb.
soute right to enjoy that they, disqualified
for distinction, because they we're born in
land where slavery exists, aud although that
slavery was forced upon them against their
will, and though now il is so interviewer into
their systems and institutions, so intimately
connected and blended with every fibre Of the
body polite, that it cannot be disconnected
even though they desired it, without severing
every artery and vein, and emptying the heart
Of the blood that nourishes and animates it.
We say that when men thus heralded and en-
dorsed are presented to the people, they should
say it's necessary to draw the line some where
nv fine Teller" ave draw the line there -
We cant go beyond Wings. As for these
Know-noihings, men who frequent culyerts.
and dodge into holes and corners, with dark
lanterns, "who being themselves fallble and
uninspircd men, have assumed dominion over
the faith Of others, setting up their own opin.
ions and modes Of thinking, as the only true
and infallible," prescribing citizens as I'm.
worthy the public confidence by laying upon
them an incapacity Of being called to Offices
Of trust and emoument, unless they profess
or renounce this or that religious opinion
who would "sufIer the civil magistrate to in
trude his powers into the field of opinion"
and would fet,er the mind, instead Of leaving
it free as God created it--who would deny to
the oppressed of other lands, even after re- !