Washington sentinel., 1856-04-15
THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.


our safety, have formed hasty and inaccurate
judgment. Motley and factious combinations
for political power should always fill US with
concern, and animate our efforts to counter
act their mischief The stealthy and success
ful movements Of our common foes in the East
ern States, are but the prelude to general com
binaton Of all the scisms and isms which infest
the country, and desire elevation through the
vtals Of the Constitution. The hatred which these
pernicious factions cherish for each other has
been hidden for season in kindred scheme of
political ambition. The lust of office and the
hope of plunder are stronger than their separate
tenets, and have brought them together III a
cordial embrace. The triumph OF such coali-
ton over the principles of civil and religious
freedom, would affect the genuine friends Of
the country with CONSERVATION and despair.
1t behooves US, then, to take the armor and
attitude demanded by the crisis, and to pre-
vent if possible, that terrible result.
All thoughts are turned to the National Con-
venton, which will meet in Cincinnati on the
ID Of June for in that weighty and control
ling BODY the great and decisive judgment
upon the welfare Of this country will be quick
IL pronounced Ii is certain that the decision
OF the Convention will decide the election, and
that the election will decide the fate of the
, Union. And unless the Convention shall nom
mate states man who will honor and maintain
the correct principles of the coDfederacy we
shall live 10 witness the downfall of justice,
the seizure Of property, and dissolution of
the Union.
The people Of this country earnestly desire
rotation in the Presidential Office. This desire
has ruled the action Of political parties for
many years, and cannot be safely disregarded
IN the present election. Whether the oneterm
principle shall be treated and adopted as
fundamental and inhexible doctrine of the
Democratic Party, it is not necessary for the
Convention 10 decide. 1t is sufficient that the
masses Of our fellow, citizens approve it, and
have given 10 indication of a willingness to
desert it. Ever since General Jackson retired
from office, settled conviction has pervaded
the public mind that the public interest re-
qures single term.
Whether a freq ;ent change in the Presiden-
tial Office is due to others who have never
filled it, or whether patriotism, disinterested
and honor, have become perishable vir-
tues which Presidents nowadays but seldom
display, it is needless to conjecture. But it is
certain that the honors, emoluments, and pat
ronage OF the Presidency are valuable blessings,
and that the people never expected President
to employ them to prolong his sway. His
mighty influence was never conferred for any
gnoble purpose. In rival age selfish and
unscrupulous President might corrupt the ma
ton, upset the government, and toss our laws
and liberty in the air.
When a candidate for the Presidency relies
upon his private means, everybody has an
equal chance for justice and preferment But
when the Chief Magistrate enters the arena,
and uses the public resources to prolong his
power, each rival has to contend against forty
millions Of patronage and Office all used to
promote the selfish, personal ambition of a
single man. What right has any man to use
his public patronage for private ends? None
whatever. No just and correct President could
exhaust upon himself the patronage of bis
country, and insist upon reelection in def.
ance Of the public will.
The present incumbent has boldly said that
nobody Of the Democratic Party can be elect
ed without his add That simply means that
the power Of the government will be exerted TO
defeat everybody but Franklin Pierce But
public men who, before their election, promised
TO become our servants, have no right, after
they reach Office on the credit of their promise,
to change the relation of the contract in par.
ties, to become our masters, and to use our
power to defeat our will
Instead Of provoking the reluctant censure
Of the Democratic Party, by selfish and ipces-
SAINT effort to prolong his power, the President
should retire Of his own accord But he can.
not see the clouds Of incense which rise around
him, Obscure his view, intercept the light Of
truth, and keep him ignorant Of the public will
That Mr.. Pierce cannot be reelected, il oh
vious TO every candid and enlightened person.
Yet he persists and perseveresl and wishes the
Democracy, who raised him from retirement to
power, to believe that he is able to defeat them!
Cass, Douglas, and Buchanan, have solid
ela'ms-claims beyond any which the present
President ever had They have served and
honored their country in trying times: and the
highest honors Of the people should contribute
to reward them. OF these eminent statesmen.
the last named seems now to be regarded the
most.
Mr.. Buchanan is, indeed, a statesman OF no
common fame; and bis pretensions are well
entitled to consideration and respect. Born
and reared among the hardy sons Of the Key.
stone State, his manners are familiar without
coarseness becoming, without levity; and at
tractive without fncry or ostentation. He
always manifests the feelings Of gentleman,
and the reflnements Of honor. Taught by
habit and experience that reflection is the |
alchemy which turns knowledge into wisdom.