The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-07-01
Wing Abolition Tactics


The recent political transactions in PENNSYLVANIA sug-
ges passing comment They not only to explaip
the present condition of parties, but to explain many
points in the past history Of party operations.
In Pennsylvania and in many of the northern States
the wing party has been generally in minority For
many years. with but brief intervals, the democratic
party has controlled federal affairs This state of
things induced The whg party about for aid in defeat
ing the democracy. that they might obtain power In
order that it might gather aid and assistance in its de-
signs it united with those factions which have from time
to time spr ung up in the northern States At early
day it contracted sort of alliance with aboli,onism.
and. reckless of the public welfare, stimulated and en-
couraged abolition fanatics in their mad courses. 1t
went further, and shaped its creed 70 make
il acceptable possible to those who
preach up the idea OF law higher than the constitution
and nominated candidates who could appeal to fana,icism
for sympathy and support. When occasions required.
the fedeass did hesitate abandon their own or
ganization and rally around an anti-mason, native
American antirenter, abolilionist Acting al
ways on the principle that the justified the end,
they were willing enter into any arrangement and ap
peal TO any interest," and name any passion which would
aid their crusade for power and emoluments of power
A long and continued persistence in this line of
policy had thoroughly demoralized the wing party. The
most eminent of the northern wings, year after year.
yielded to anti slavery exaclions and pandered its de-
sires Mr. Fillmore, Mr.. Webster-all the prominent
wings of the free States-stmulated the sectional hos
tily to the institutions OF the South until became bold
enough and strong enough to be dangerous was hoped
however that after the slavery question had been compro.
missed and every patriot could look upon and understand
the awful pers which sectional agitation had brought to
the very threshold, the wing party would repudate its
former dangerous conduct; that it would begin TO un-
ders,and that patriotism, and not ianacsm-that the
welfare of the public and net the contracted inter.
ests OF geographical sectons-ae the only founda-
ton for political organizations and that it would unite
with the democracy in trampliR under foot those mis-.
chevous dsuIbers OF the pubic who had brought
us TO the brink of ruin. But it seems that the wings,
especially OF the North, fully satisfied when the
passage of the peace extrcaed wing admin
islration from dangerous Isson. That result seems
to have satisfied their wshs and Gained their patriotic
apprehen sions for most q them-many even who pro-
fessed friendship for the Conpomse-speediyw went back
TO their old abolition associates and found sboring
with them for repeal, and gainst the democratic party.
Soon after the passage the ugtveslave law, with
out which the other would have had saving
virtue in them, every efd made TO defeat those
democratic congressman who had voted for that law.
The wings and higher -lat men united most faternaly
for that purpose Soon der, an important election was
about to be held in New lrk and the Executive allowed
the friends of VIM H. eward to retain the bulk Of fed
era patronage. In fey instances the President, with
becoming modes,y an, caution. veniuTed 10 bes,owa
few Offices on OF lis personal friends; but the
bulk OF federal patronage suffered to remain where
the Ewing cabinet pacd tin the hands OF the higher
law friends of Mr. Sevard. When the New York NOM
mating convention assembled at Syracuse it adopted
course which equivalent TO direct reputation OF
Mr. Fmore's posto; for it was direct endorsation of
the facious conduct Z Mr. Seward. The supporters of
the Compromise and ts friends OF the President, under
the lead of Messs Granger and Due attempted TO resist
the dictaton of thehgher-aw men; they even with
drew from the conyeio and called another convention
to nominate State offers. One not acquainted with the
tactics OF the whis party would at tina, period have
anticipated a rup,ur in the wing ranks; indeed. be
would have though that the rupture had actually
taken place But tn wings OF New York had other fish
to fry They had arty purpose to accomplish. There
was a show of hos,iy toward abolitonism There was
sort Of menace of patriotic design TO forget the inter
es, of party in ordedo sustain the Union and the
| try In few DAYS lie convention had assembled;
but that was all It,ssembed, surrendered, nominated
the candidates OF ID Seward convention al Syracuse,
and adjourned The smoke then cleared off leaving no
sign OF FIRE
These transactions have been recalled TO our mind BY
the recent action OF ne Pennsylvania whg convection.
II is known 10 our raiders that Governor Johnston, OF
that State is thorouh ant. slavery man. He is much
| beled even by abolonsts if be is not rabid tboi-
TOMS, and an advocate OF repeal For se veral years
the of Pennsylvania has been disgracsd by
law which denies ertain facilities to those claiming
fugi,iyes from labor The law was the creature OF the
anti slavery exctemen, and was intended as az act oil
hostility to that provision Of the constitution which re-
quires the delivery Of fugitive slaves The democratic
party in Pennsylvania was opposed to To" legal
enac,men, in con,ayntion Of the duties impossd by the
fader,l ,o,n,c, The democrats desired thereore, the
r.peal o tho obpo,iou statute have mentioned They
in carving he act of repeal through the egs
la,ure. bu, they had power to compel Governor
Johnston to give bsoihc'ai sanction dc accordingly
repudiaed The wh doctrine against the veto and puhe
| bill of repeal in his pocket refusing 10 ego y
we heard ANYTHING oaihe /" one.man power +" No has
h. been censured m his course by the otbern wbgsf
No Havs even The southern wings ce,sued him Not
tina, we have heard On the contrar,, Governor 'onn-
sion /. a "maryeDous proper man. He hasinnuenee
even with Mr.. Fillmore and the cspinet He can even
force the Executive to make terrs with his aoohuon
trends and to spare them in their ysces OF honor pron''
- Well nh ted states that