Washington Sentinel

HISTORY VINDICATED.

We have seen it stated in many quarters by the freesoil press, that a large majority of the offices in the State of New York have been given to men who supported General Cass in 1848. If this statement stood alone, we would not regard it; but it has been made in a manner calculated to convey the idea that the national democracy of New York had received a full share of government patronage, and had become offended merely because it did not receive more.

If the distribution of office carried with it nothing more than a distribution of spoil, we would not spend a thought on the individuals who had been fastened on the treasury. But government office is important when its bestowal is regarded as a political endorsement and we, therefore, feel it to be our duty to deny that the national democracy of New York has received its share of government patronage, and to deny that its course was prompted by resentment because it did not receive more.

It is true that a large portion of the offices in New York was bestowed on men who voted for General Cass in 1848. But it must be borne in mind that many who voted for General Cass in the Taylor campaign, have since then taken the name of soft shell democrats and have acted, and continue to act, in concert with the freesoilers, and have placed themselves within the old freesoil organization. They have abandoned their position because they were seduced by the hope of preferment; and now, when they have obtained office, because they abandoned their position--because they were seduced by hopes of preferment--is it not infamous to affirm that their advancement was a favor to the national democracy they deserted and betrayed? Do these men believe that the people are blind, so that they cannot see--deaf, so that they cannot hear--dumb, so that they cannot denounce such shallow sophistry?

The softshell and freesoil coalition in New York has received almost all the offices in that State. We have been assured that, among the enumerated positions, not more than four national democrats have been honored by important executive appointments within the limits of the State, and that Judge Bronson's removal has reduced the number to three. And to the honor of the President, be it said, that this recognition of the national democracy was due to his action and not to the influences which have directed the general distribution in New York.

The idea that all who supported General Pierce should be recognized as true democrats, and that the Baltimore convention granted a general amnesty, is wrong; but even that idea--wrong as it is--has not been fully carried out so far as New York is concerned. In that State office was not distributed with reference to General Pierce, or to the Baltimore platform. So far from that, it was distributed with a view to personal preferences existing anterior to General Pierce's nomination--with a view to party positions taken before the Baltimore platform was adopted.

We feel confident that the President has been deceived--we know that the country has been trifled with and bamboozled on this point. The men whose representations determined the manner in which New York patronage should be distributed had no care for the union of the democratic party, and no regard for the amnesty of the Baltimore platform. They prate about the union of the democracy, and they prate about the Baltimore amnesty, in order to cover up and conceal their real purposes and their real passions.

We have said thus much to vindicate the truth of history, and we could say much more on the same point. But it is a most unpleasant and revolting task to speak of a distribution of spoil as an element in political movements. Yet the task--offensive as it is--has been forced upon us, and we cannot avoid it entirely without standing with arms folded and looking on while false and deceptive statements are scattered through the country. Therefore, we repeat that, if place and patronage carried with them nothing more than mere emolument, we would be indifferent as to the distribution of the spoils of victory. But the bestowal of place and patronage does give a party endorsement, and is everywhere regarded as a clue to the sympathies and purposes of men in authority. Under this conviction, we could not remain silent whilst our friends were misrepresented by a falsification of history, although the misrepresentation refers to a matter of patronage and emolument.

In another column will be found extracts from some of the Pennsylvania papers in relation to the affairs and politics of New York. They are characterized by that calm tone for which the staunch old State of Pennsylvania is distinguished. Nothing is lost by calmness, whether in praise or condemnation. When condemnation is the result of excited feeling, it is apt to be evanescent; when the result of deliberate conviction, it is fixed and abiding.

We have published many extracts from private letters and journals in reference to this subject, and we expect to publish more. Our readers may rely upon our assurance that they are not made up for the occasion. They are real honest letters and extracts, from the beginning to the end. When we publish a letter as coming from an intelligent man--a prominent man, or a distinguished man--such in every instance is the fact. We mention this in order that due importance may be given to these letters.