The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-02-20
FROM CINCINNATI.
M l.

CINCINNATI, february 5, 1851.
To the Editor ofths National Era:
Recovering a little from sore Affections thai
engrossed all my attention for long time look
over the prospects of our country in reference tt
the controversy between the advocates Of liberty
and slavery and, without dwelling upon our for
mer errors, or the causes that have conspired 10
produce the present condition of sffiirs, allow me
to state wha, that condition is in part now,
The controlling Influence Of both the Wing
and Democratic parties are united, and their faith
publicly pledged to admit several slave States, from
what Is now called Texss--to allow New Nj xico
and Utah to come in as slave States--to prohibit
any legislation in the Territories against slavery
and by appointing shareholders to judicial Offices
In Territories, to protect shareholders in their
plans-to maintain the Fugitive Slave Law abom-
nation TO It's utmost extent-to continue slavery
in the District Of Columbia--to prevent all dis
cussion on the subject Of slavery, unless IL be mr.
guments In favor Of ito allow no man to hold
Office, or derive any support from the hhy-hve
millions of annual Government disbursements,
unless he will advocate Slavery and denounce Free
Soil and Liberty. These are part Of what both
these parties are pledged TO do and whatever
other differences they may have as parties, they
are agreed so far let either Of the parties be In
power.
demanded by the South that II Is well known both
of these parties are prepared to support as con-
dtion of maintaining the alliance between the
Northern and Southern wings Of those parties
among which measures are the acquisition Of Gu
ba, with or without war-the augmenting OF the
army and navy, and its continued use In uphold
ing slavery, and in various other ways finally TO
complete the work Of Matchmaking, pespetnatiug,
and extending slavery
II Is true, that Webster and Corwin pledged
the faith Of the Wing party in favor Of Free Soil,
before that party came into power and equally
true, that Webster went over to the enemy, and
not only abandoned his former friends and prin-
cples, bat became leader OF the enemies Of Free
Soil, and supported the extreme slavebolders
measures, while Mr.. Corwin, after remaining ST.
lent during the long session. finally, by accepting
Office under Mr. Webster, adopted his policy, and
gave his support TO the most pro-slavery Admin
istration our country has ever had.
Ii Is also true that Seward and Greeley advocate
freely the principles Of liberty but II Is as true
that they throw their entire strength into the
support Of the Wing party, and thus do the cause
Of human liberty more harm than they could do
AZ consistent advocates Of Webster's and Fill
more's principles, while they adhere to the party
II Is true that there are many honest men In both
parties whose support 10 secured by the influence
OF bucn men ~ otWhTu huu ous
ther OF those parties IL there enough Of sound re-
pubiicaps, to produce any sensible effect on the
measures Of either, while, 10 both, the Southern
influence Is all powerful and while the power OF
the country Is divided between those two parties,
every measure OF our Government will be, here
after. Nc heretofore, exerted TO maintain and ex-
tend slavery aud crush liberty.
And now, Doctor, In view Of all this, and much
more, can the friends Of liberty do nothing
There IL an almost unanimous sentiment In the
free States In favor Of freedom, 40 once advocated
by Corwip, and Webster, and the great body Of
Free-soilsrs but there 10 no organization the
Whig snd Democratic papers are engaged IL
support of these Southern measures. No Ma
ional or State conventions are held by the friend,
Of liberty, and II We remain thus inactive, ouI
national policy viii be settled and traitors 10 lib
sry will insist that the country approves Of these
ruinous measures Where, sir, are those to whom
We look for leading the free bsodl II osnnot be
that anything good Il expected from the bunker