Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-05-03
PIERCE AS RETROGRADE AS FILL
MORE.

To those who have accurately studied the
political history of the last three years, and
who can separate the real from the false, it
must be evident that this Administration has
been no true representative of the Democratic
party or of Democratic ideas. The campaign
of 1852 involved something more than con-
test for the Offices, or struggle for power, for
the mere sake Of power.
The administration Of Mr.. Fillmore like all
administrations Of the opposition party, was in
antagonism with the genius of the people, and
especially with the genius Of the Democracy.
1t had no place in the popular heart; it did not
reflect the popular will. The people longed
for an administration which would respond to
their sympathies, and their impulses, and they
turned to the Democracy as the party whose
sympathies and impulses were most in unison
with theirs. The administration of Mr. Fill
more had been mere fact, without soul,
without ideas, without life. An Administra-
ton, truly to represent the popular feeling and
the Democratic sentiment Of this country, must
be not only reality, it must be an idea realiz-
ed. 1t is this desire which gave the Democracy
such immense power in 1852, and prepared
triumph SO overwhelming and apparently de-
cisive. How have these hopes and aspirations
been fulfilled? We assert that, so far from re.
alizing the ideal which the Democracy had
formed Of National and Democratic Admins.
tration, that Of Franklin Pierce has simply been
a continuation of Fillmore's. One set Of Office
holders has been turned out to make room for
another; but the characteristics, if character.
istics there can be said to be- remain the same.
There is the same GOODNESS, the same impas.
siveness, the same timidity, the same failure to
respond to the great impulses Of the popular
heart. Not one Of the issues for which we
fought in 80 has been settled as the Democra-
cy expected; not one Of their aspirations has
been fulfilled. There is DO attraction between
this Administration and the Democratic Party:
they repel each other, and, though comprehend.
ed in common name, in heart they arc at
war The consequences Of this state OF things
we're seen in the disorgsnization Of the party
and the apathy it displayed till it was forced
into action by new foes and compelled to take
sides on new issues. Had it not been for the
great struggle on the Nebraska question, and
the intense pressure Of Know N othingism, the
Democratic Party would at this moment have
presented the spectacle Of paralyzed, almost
a lifeless organization. Those great issues have
awakened the party to renewed life and vigor.
II has drawn its scattered forces together and
prepared TO enter on another conflict, in which
its fundamental principles are involved.
After night Of darkness and defeat, the
dawn Of triumph just begins to light the skies.
1t wants only trusty leader, one who com
mands respect, because he is worthy Of it
one who is entitled to orr confidence. because
he has never betrayed it--one who not only
presents in himself the immediate issues Of
this struggle, but who is the impersonaton Of
Democratic ideas-t wants only such man
TO lead the party onward into the meridian
blaze Of victory. Should we again commit
the folly Of selecting Franklin Pierce, or one like
Franklin Pierce, we should deserve 10 be adj
dressed as Paul Of Tarsus addressed the Ro-
mans: Protesting themselves to be wise,
they became foolsn