The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-08-28
THE DANGER AND THE DUTY.

THE DANGER AND THE DUTY.
We are gratihed to learn that, during our alb
sence the suggestion thrown out in the Era q
few months since, in favor Of holding National
Convention of the friends Of Freedom the ensu.
ing fall, has been favorably entertained Such a
convention, we learn, is to be held at Cleveland
in September with a view to efecting an efficient
organization of the opponents Of slavery tbs GER
tainly time for something to be done The old
party organizations have repudiated the anti
slavery sentiment and are willing to make what
ever concession may be eXacted from them by the
Slave Power, so that they may rally their forces
in a conflict for the spois. Even the Seward
Wings of New York have agreed, while profess
ing still to entertain their long avowed hostility
to the extension of slavery, to endorse an Admin
istration whose policy are in direct antsgonism
to their principles on the slavery question, and
to unite with its most devout supporters, on the
pretext that the Issue of slavery extension is not
now before the country, or likely to be presented
Nor are the Democrats Of the same State any
more Trustworthy Prominent leaders are labor
ing to force upon the party profession of faith
ID the Compromise, as a new test Of Democratic
orthodoxy, and from appearances we should not
be surprised were the Democratic Convention
about to be held in New York. to sanction all that
has been done by Mr., Clay and Mr. Fillmore on
the question Of slavery. In Massachusetts,
State Convention of Democrats, after u hard
l., koN,u . a q y md D.on
ives,n has yielded to the counsels Of the former,
and declared its adhesion to the Compromise, and
it's hostility to the Free Soil policy.
Nowhere do the old party organizations exhibit
any indications of sound sentiment or purpose in
relation to slavery.
What makes the matter worse, is the imminent
danger now threatening the cause of liberty from
the Vaccinations of the Slave Power, in New
Mexico, California and Cuba. Evidence is &C
cumulating that our disclosure some two months
ago of the designs Of the Propagsndists upon the
countries named was neither premature nor ex.
aggerated. Newspapers in California admit the
existence of the plot for its division, and the con-
version Of its lower half into a slave State, and
announce that distinguished leaders Of the Dem
ocratic party are consenting to the policy News
papers in the South hail the announcement, and
confidently predict the success of the plot The
New York Courier and EnqpUer states that it has
evidence in its possession that satilfes beyond
ell doubt that the report is we'll founded. And
yet, the old parties governed by leaders who think
infinitely more of their own aggrandizement than
Of 10 iahm Mt Of ha If
endeavoring to thrust aside all issues concerning
slavery, to turn away the public mind from the
perils with which it menaces the country for the
sake of electing to the Presidency General Cass,
General Scott or General Somebody else, and
thereby securing claim upon official patronage
for the space of four yearsl
1t is dishonest to attempt to impose upon the
public the fiction that the Slavery Question is
settled. The Compromise has done nothing really
towards its settlement. 1t has left the Slave Pow.
er the field, with courage and strength undated
What mean these rumors Of revolution in Cuba,
and cooperative expeditions from the United
States So long ago as ls4s Mr.. Yulee of Flor
ida made motion in the Senate looking to the
annexation Of Cuba and he was only restrained
from urging it by the counsels Of more expe-
rienced Senators, who significantly remarked that
the fruit Was not yet ripe. From that time, we
have had patriotic movements in Cuba and con-
current movements in this country. A CORES
pondence has been established between adven.
turers here, and reVolutionists there Funds
have been raised organizations effected pamphlets
advocating Cuban independence and annexation,
sent to our public men, and newspapers devoted
New Orleans. Again and again have expeditions
been set on foot in this country, designed to re-
voulionize, or aid in revoutionizng Cuba, and
we know with what difficulty the laws and trea-
ties of the United States eDjoining neutrality,
have been enforced. Lately the papers have an
nounced another attempt at revolution. The
most contradictory reports respecting II reach u.s.
From all We can learn, we judge that It is more
serious than the Spanish authorities in the island
are willing to allow. Meantime the sympathiIers
among us, particularly in the South, are untirinp
From New Orleans, already one expedition has
sailed, and other expeditions are in preparation
Ofthe sincere desire Of the President TO main.
tain the honor OF the country, and enforce the
obligations of neutrality, we entertain no doubt
but how is this to be done, where the collectors
Of the ports, and officers intrusted with the SUI.
pervision Of marine affairs, are themselves among
the sympathiIers. None 80 blind as he who will not
see A collector will sleep while an expedition is
being fitted out, or entertain conscientious scru-
pies concerning his authority; and while he is
asleep, or while he is settling the point Of duty,
the vessel sails and the mischief Is irreparable.
This is precisely the state Of things now and 80
far from the press blaming the cOnniving subOr-
dinate, 1t ridicules or censures the zeal Of the
Government 10 maintain involste our laws as
entirely superfuous, or hostile to freedom.
At such time, with such dangers impending,
shall the opponents Of slavery be indifferent and
Not In ls4s, when Shareholders