The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-08-20
LENDING A HELPING HAND.

Drowning persons are usually grateful to those who
extend helping hand and rescue them from their
perils Acting upon this theory, the National Intel
lgencer is coming to the relief of the sinking oppo-
sition Of the democracy, and tenders them what
they have in vain attempted to constructa platform
upon which it believes they can all stand. For this
the republicans and know-nothings expected to
be profoundly and permanently grateful, especially
if there can be brought upon it sufficient number
to crush out the democracy. The platform rendered,
consists of some dozen moro planks, SO that all
the factions of opposition find resting place.
II embraces few political truisms which no one
controversies and then adroitly attempts to draw on
all the varieties of the opposition and to stow them
away by the sevedores of the republican tradesmen
The platform presented yesterday for the second
time) is really the old wing concern with few
corners rounded off, together with few addi-
tons, to which much paint and varnish has been
skilfully applied. The Htelligeneer seems not to
doubt but it's bantling is perfect, and, if it in
duce all shades of opposition to adopt it, that the
democracy will be fatally overthrown How far
these skfu tacticians can succeed in collecting the
leaders of the various factions into which the OPP
posltloH upon
we do not know But certain it is that the differ
ing rank and file, as far they honest men,
will refuse to follow the bidding of those unscru-
pulous leaders who readily agree to anything
that offers hopes of success. We shall not re-
greet to see this platform adopted by the
motley hosts for whom it is prepared The de-
mocracy have trumphed over all it's enemies,
again and again, when they arrayed themselves on
this restleboard of Inconsistencies and contradic-
| tons. They can do so once MORE We cannot but
admire the skill of the Integmecr in insinuatng what
it does not attempt to state as facts When it comes
forward and boldly charges what its readers must
infer from its gvings it will find that not only
all the democracy, but portion of those act
ing against the latter, will instantly take issue with
| them and call for proof which cannot be adduced.
Old issues, upon which the wings have been sue
cessively beaten for quarter of century,
will never mislead the politicians of tho present
day even though presented with the practsed skill
| of the National btcfigeacer.
| How far the republicans and Americans will con-
sent to abandon their peculiar ground their organi
| cations and leaders, and fall back upon broken-
down whiggery and accept the btcligencer as their
| guide, time will disclose. If they arc actuated
| by principles in which they have confidence, they
will not fail to accept the inviting offer of that paper
Those wings who heretofore abandoned its lead and
repudiated its teachings are not likely to return and
submit to its direction. Those democrats who for
mery repudiated its teachings and have left their old
friends for the sole purpose Of acting upon single
passing issue, will never stultify themselves by the
adoption of the old and repudiated wing creed.
| The prospects of this revamped repudiated scheme
are anything but fiattering..