New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-11-08
ISit Peace or War!

Ever since we were old enough to enter
tain decided convictions on Political topics,
we have acted and voted with the party
commonly designated Whig-with the Anti
Caucus or Peoples Party of 1924, the Anti
Jackson Party of '2s AID 80, and its coun-
terpart in later times. We were devoted
to its leading principles-to Protection, to
Internal Improvement, Goth State and Ma
tional,) to Peace and non-Aggression-be-
fore they were understood to be grounds of
party division. We did not adopt our prln-
ciples, las too many ,lo,) because they were
those of our Party we took sides with that
Party under whose flag we could hope to
advance our already cherished Principles.
Time, in enlarging our knowledge and ma
turing our experience, has deepened our
fundamental convictions and, while we
have obtained new light on many subjects,
which has somewhat modified or views of
the relative Importance of some articles In
our creed, we expect to live and die an
advocate of the leading measures con-
tended for by the Wing Party.
But we have opinions and convictions
also on other topics of public concern than
those on which the two great parties have
hitherto been at issue. Most ardently do
we believe that Free People should, and
trust that ours soon will, set apart its un-
peopled and unappropriated Lands tor the
unpurchased Homes of its otherwise land
less citizens. We do not regard this as
especially, distinctively a Wing principle !;
we do not consider it peculiar to any party
though we hope to aid in rendering 1T ac-
ceptable to and approved by all parties. We
do not shoot madly from our sphere in
pursuit of any one idea, however just or
fruitful and while, other things being
equal, we prefer sound Reformer to one
who is not such, we support Wing candi-
dates who are adverse as well as those
who are favorable to our convictions on
this point. We think we can more surely
promote the action and secure the good
we seek in this way than by setting up our
own notions as a standard and refusing 70
support any candidate who does not conform
to them.
SO with the subject of Slavery. That
we hate Slavery, resist its extension, and
do what we can to compass its overthrow, Is
generally understood, but hardly better now
than it has been for years That the Wing
Party of the Nation is properly an Anti
Slavery party, we have never maintained,
nor have we sought to make it such: Our
idea is that Pro-Slavery and Anti-Slavery
men unite in the Wing party with persons
who are distinctively neither to secure or
promote certain objects common to them
alike, and with which Slavery has properly
nothing to do. We do not understand that
their uniting in one party to secure certain
results mutually desired binds them, Or
either section, to suppress their adverse
convictions regarding Slavery, or anything
else. If citizen be in favor of Protection,
National Improvement of Rivers and Har-
bors, the Peace policy, &C., we expect him
to act and vote with the Wings, whatever
may be his notions of Slavery. We have
supported well-known shareholders for the
highest stations as ardently and efficiently
as we could, not because they were slave
holders, but because they were Why's.
And We stand ready to do so again.
We have not understood that Wings were
deemed any the less Wings by Southern
Statesmen Of our party because of their
avowed and well known Anti Slavery pre-
objections. We do certainly know that such
Statesmen have been willing that Whips
such as We are should vote for them and
We have not supposed that this was a ease
for one-sided reciprocity. And. down ~
the last fifteen months, We canno, remember
ever TO have heard 1t disputed that An Ami.
Slavery Wing was as good as anv other
and might as properly be supported By the
Wig party fer any Office withiu its eift-at
least, any State Office in Free State.
The events which have brought Slave.
~ more directly before the eyes of the
Northern People, and compelled rhemto act
with reference to 1t in ther Elections. were
never invoked nor procured By Wings Of
our stamp. We never attempted to sup
press the Right of Petition We never
scuehtto exPei Member from Congress for
presenting respectful Memorial To either
House We never sought acquisitions Of
| Tcrriinp with view to the promotion of