The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-03-13
THE DUTY OF ANTI-SLAVERY VOTERS.

Mr.. Lewis Of Cincinnati has another article on
the FIRST page of this weeks Era, on the duty of
anti-slavery voters He writes with his charac-
teristic strength and earnestness, and his sug-
gestions are entitled to great consideration. Our
position be does not fully understand. We do
not differ from him in any essential point. We
both agree as to the necessity of an organization
Of the friends Of liberty, the duty Of prompt
and independent action, the policy of organizing
our forces in every State. What we dissented
from was, the attempt to re-organize at this time
the national Liberty Party, on the single idea of
opposition to Slavery, with its old modes of ac-
tion. The Liberty party had its day, accom-
plished all that it was adapted to accomplish, and
was absorbed in more general more efficient
movement
1t does not follow that another organization is
not now demanded Forms and names are moth
ing-we want unity and efficiency.
Old Party issues are losing their Importance
The Democratic Party can hardly be said to exist,
at least, with a definite chart of principles
The Wing party is in a state Of anarchy. The
leaders of both evince, everywhere, a disposition
to unite for the purpose of sustaining each other
against the advancing tide of liberal opinion.
Questions which once divided them have lost
their significance and Uther questions have arisen
on which they fear to commit themselves
II is thought by many Of our friends that the
times require the formation of a new party, TAX
ing the Democratic principle, as its central Idea,
and boldly applying it to the solution of all the
political questions now pressing upon the Public
Mind The movement to this end, they say,
should originate in State action. Let the friends
of Freedom in Ohio for example, call State
Convention, to organize party of true Democ-
racy on the basis of Land Reform, River and
Harbor Improvements where the works are of
national interest and require national enterprise,
Elections of all Officers by the People, Free
Trade, Opposition to Class Legislation, Divorce
of the Federal Government from all support of
Slavery, and Opposition to the Evil within con-
stitutional limits.
Let the Convention meet at as early day as
may be convenient Issue Declaration of Princi-
Piles, assume the name Democratic, as the title Of
the Party thus organized, invite all Liberal Anti
Slavery men to hold similar Conventions in their
respective States for the purpose of forming SIM
liar organizations, and issue call for National
Democratic Convention, embracing all who are
willing to adopt such principles, to meet, say at
Buffalo, Cleveland, or Pttsburg, next Septem-
Der or October.
Let that Convention adopt complete platform
Of Democratic Principles, in their legitimate ap-
plicaton to all practical political questions, in
Guiding that of Slavery, and let it call National
Convention to meet the following May or June, to
take into consideration the subject of nominating
candidate for the Presidency to be supported in
1852.
This is the plan suggested by manytrue friends
Of Freedom, and we see no objection TO it. Such
Party would comprehend large majority of the
anti-savery voters of the country and attract the
best materials from the DID, WORKOUT organiza-
lions 1t would combine comprehensiveness of
policy with unity Of principle and purpose 1t
could not be charged with oowsrdice in the appli-
cation Of its principles, or with neglecting one
interest in its zeal to advance another Ii
would be impartial harmonious complete, pre-
pared for every good word and work.
Undoubtedly not few anti-slavery men,
who dissent from radical Democratic Principles,
might deem it inconsistent to unite with such
Party, but they would recognise the great
Importance of it's organization and feel strength
ened by its influence in whatever modes Of action
they should deem proper for themselves The
new organization would be tolerant recognising
the sincerity and sustaining the wise efforts Of
those Who unable to unite with it in all its views,
should still evince an honest purpose to maintain
such of them as they believed sound.
This, we repeat, is the scheme Of action pro-
posed by many good and true men, and if we are
to have new national organization we confess
the policy suggested commends itself to our judg-
ment. Holding ourselves and our paper always
free from the trsmmels Of Party, we are ready at
all times to sustain those who advocate the Truth,
whatever name or formula they may adopt, and
the more Truth they incorporate in their creeds
and schemes of policy, the more cordial shall be
our support.