Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-03-06
MORNING, MARCH d, 1856
THE VIRGINIA DEMOCRATIC CON-
yENTION-THE INDICATIONS FOR
THE PRESIDENCY PRESIDENT
PIERCE AND HIS ADMINIsTRA-



We publish below the resolutions passed by
the Democratic Convention, held at Richmond,
Virginia, on the 18th instant. We were present
during its session, and determined to gather, as
far as possible, the sentiment of its members,
and those who we're attracted thither by it. We
endeayored to acquire this sentiment fairly and
impartially, and believing that We have done
so, we give our convictions TO our readers,
without hesitation or an apprehension or care
that they may be misconstrued IN The hrst
place, the convention was most largely at
tepded-not only by the members OF it, but
by those who feeling deep and abiding inte-
rest in the serious and grave questions that
, we're 10 be considered came TO il, to lend, by
their counsels and influence, any aid in their
power to make it harmonious and cordial
representation of the true Democracy Of the
Old Commonwealth As in all State conyen
tons, there was some diversity of interest and
Of opinion among its members, as to the de-
tails-immaterial in the main-of its manage
ment and course. This seemed, however, to
blow over, without leaving any-the least
heart-burnings or jealousies, and we were
forced 10 congratulate ourselves that such diff.
ferences had arisen, because it furnished an
occasion for the display Of much talent for de-
bate in its members, and some very striking
oratcrical efforts.
The Convention declined to indicate pre-
ference for any OF the several aspirants for the
Presidency. his was emineutiy wise and
judcious, as an opposite course could only have
served TO distract its proceedings. Virginia
boasts Of two prominent gentlemen, whose
friends are earnestly prefering their claims for
the succession, and TO have, through a conven.
ton of her great, and hitherto invincible De.
mocracy, expressed a preference for either,
would have been attended with most disastrous
effects upon The harmony of the party. Not
being willing TO do this, of course. the Conven-
ton we're equally disinclined TO indicate pre-
ference for either Of the other distinguished
aspirants beyond her borders.
The general impression seemed, however, to
be. that the North should have the compliment
Of the nomination at Cincinnati ia June next;
hence with the utmost cordiality between the
friends Of each, Mr.. Buchanan, Of Pennsy Iva
MIA, and Judge Douglass, of Illinois, were I'M
doubtedly the favorites Indeed, so far was
this the case, that the rivalry between these
distinguished gentlemen, was stripped of all
Jealousy, and il was agreed generally, though
Of course, informally, that there should be no
unfriendly antagonism between them or their
friends For ourselves we are willing TO pledge
now, our cordial and Jealous support Of either
who shall receive the nomination Of the Democ
racy at the National Convention. We say
further dat under all and every circumstance
We will support the nominee Of that conven
tion. We have our preference but we base
that preference pom what We believe to be
best for the success and integrity Of our party
and our principles. We shall do nothing IN.
fair, or even ungenerous, to accomplish this
end. We will, as far as we are concerned, give
all fair trial, and an impartial considera
ton
Candor, however, compels NJ to say, that thu
vain and absurd pretsnsions set up by Franklin
Pierce will meet no favor from us. His selec
ton before, was one Of those accidents, against
which not even the humblest Of us all are
securely protected, and We think he should fee
quite content with the experiment we have
made with him. since the mischief and de
moralization with which he has afflicted out
party withal, has well nigh stripped it Of it,
moral prestige and political power. He ha,
driven from our ranks not only thousands ant
tens OF thousands Of the best Democrats il
the land, into the lines Of our enemies bu
the course he has pursued towards the sount
National Democrats in New York, has con
tributed more than any other cause to tn
merger OF our old national enemy into that nev
and dangerous organization, which we hav,
had so much occasion to deplore and con
denim.
He has violated, or connived at the violation
by his cabinet ministers, one Of the deares
principles Of our party creed-a principle 70
which we have contended with rigorous AM
undated zeal, for more than a quarter Of
century. We mean internal improvements b,
the General Government. and that worst speci
men, too, Of this heresy, the Pacific railroad
See the opinion Of the late Democratic Con
vention on this subject, in resolution, No 2
which, with the series, we give below.
He has permitted his Secretary OF the Trea
sury to incorporate into his annual report a re
commentator for the re-estabshment-or
what is the same thing-of the protective fea
ture in our revenue system, which is Justly
characterized by the third resolution as incon
sis,ent with justice, sound policy, and Demo
cratic principles
The fourth resolution though short, may b,
well and fairly construed into censure Of hi.
course upon our foreign relations, particularly
with respect 10 the acquisition Of Cuba and
the difficulties with Spain, incident to them
We are free TO admit that the policy of the
Administration has been oftentimes right mon
our foreign relations generally, but il has been
,narkad hv such indecision and ;noou.:.