The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-02-20
PLAN OF OPERATION.

To Tbs Editor ofthe National Era:
The position of the country at the present june.
ture is remarkable for its opportunities OF good,
and its capabilities Of evil TO the canse OF Free
dom Never were the old masses Of the old par
ties less coherent than now, or more disposed TO
give heed 10 the calls OF morality In their politi-
cal action and never were more strenuous Efforts
used by the leaders Of those parties, and the
mere trading interest, 10 put 10 m eternal sleep
the agitation of the fundamental principles OF
Liberty aud equal rights in this Republic. Sup
pose them to succeed, and the present luii IN
Congress to continue and pervade the nation.
The old parties would resume their ambitious ri
valry, and bid against each other for the balan-
cling and decisive vote Of the South. :" We Will
give you,n says the Wing party, for the next
Presidential candidate man pledged to The Com
promises, Fugitive Slave bill and all" We will
90 for Cass and Cuba" shouts the next Baltimore
Convention. This is the plain reading Of the
future, II Antislavery agitation be not sctiveiy
prosecuted
Ought not more comprehensive and system
attic course Of measures than any lately pursued
In behalf Of Freedom, TO be set on foot by its
friends7 1t seems to be a radical, vital mistake
on their part on great moral question, to be re-
lying on speeches in Congress, perty machinery,
and strong spasmodc exertons at the time OF
elections These are useful and necessary means;
but what IL wanted besides, In order to place tho
country under the control of the friends OF free
principles IL a steady series Of appeals by Anti
Slavery lecturers, speakers and tracts, the strong
est and most earnest to the humanity Justice, and
patriotism Of the People. Their cousciences are
almost impregnsble near the time OF election, but
ut other times comparatively accessible, Why
may not the pure and worthy lenders Of the cause
of Freedom, who have stood forth amidst the cor
rupt politicians Of the day as the prosecuted apos-
ties Of holy faith, Join Ia closer cooperation and
In an interchange Of their self-sacrtcing Efforts
throughout the North Let the Free Soil State
Central Committee. or some such organizations,
correspond, and, having raised sufficient funds for
the purpose, concert arrangements whereby the
Summers, PaIfreys, rsles, MAINS, Aliens, Nileses,
and Stewards, Of the East, shall be invited and
their expenses partly or wholly paid, TO deliver
discourses In behalf of Freedom through the
Middle and Western States and Chase, Gid
dings, Root, Durkce, Lttlejohn Lewis, and others,
20 through an answering tour OF duty East.
Most eagerly would their lessons be received.
Advantage might be taken for this purpose OF
their journeys 10 and from Congress and else
where. Every village should be reused by lee
turer every county by q, convention. Petitions
against the Fugitive Slave law, and other memo
rails. should descend upon Congress thick as
snow flakes.
The means above recited are practical and
would be decisive in their operation. Let not
such inestimable elements OF power 70 blees the
country be disused. Their efficient exercise from
this time to the next Presidential election would
probably make 1t plainly an object for one Of the
two great parties TO nominate candidate true to
the instincts Of Freedom, who would sweep the
entire North out Of the hands Of any COMPROMISED
that could be run against him.
Correspondence from East to West Is indis-
pensable, and entirely practical Ample fnIds
should be raised, and can be, The champions OF
Freedom must be willing tcmske some sacrifices,
and they will be. The times are threatening II
We be still, but most propitious If We arouse
w. III. B.
THE AsroR LlBsARY.-The Astor Library In
New York is to be opened in 1852, when they
expect 10 have fifty thousand volumes IL HIS
now 1860 volumes, and Joseph Cogswell, their
superintendent, win sai for Europe, 70 make fnr-
ther purchases, in the spring. Their total re-
ceipts for the pas; year have been s274,oi94l.