The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-05-08
SPIRIT or THE PRESS.
REORGANIZATION.
From The Vermont Freeman.

Those who read the National Era observe its
copying from other papers 1.-TWO in Vermont)
suggestions about the Importance of reorganiza-
ton and union of those who are opposed to the
domination and extension of the slave power In
these suggestions are also included some thoughts
about what might be a platform, in which all
could agree and act cheerfully and cordially, in
giving battle to the slave power. | agree to the
importance of rallying in some form in behalf Of
Freedom aud that speedily; for the enemies of
our liberties are on the alert, disciplning their
troops for the onset. And | have not taken my
pen to raise distractions to any platform suggest
ed as above, but to present before the public adj
ditional thoughts, for consideration, in the con-
temptation Of those who may act, in forming the
best plan Of reorganization, to unite our strength
in the great battle of Armagidoa, to be fought in
1852. With regard to the name Of the party,
when recognized, | would adopt one already
suggested, only transposing two words, for the
sake of sound. Say, The Union for Liberty or,
The Liberty Union.
think the name should express direct antag-
onism to the MON formed for our destruction
The new slave party we oppose assumes the name
of Union only. But everything they do and say
as party, everything out Of which a platform
can be created, proolaims it union for the sup
port of slavery and the slave power
With regard to a platform, | would adopt a
suggestion of another upon the same subject. |
would say, " let US profit by the sagacity of our
enemies This has been wonderfully dplayed
in all cases where slavery was concerned, and
that as we'll before as since they boosted of it,
1t is thoroughly incorporated into their political
system, that their difference of opinion upon
| other subjects shall never divide them upon the
subject OF slavery. Going and acting upon that
basis, their success is too well known to need a
rehearsal
4 hay ,;nI wh;ob I
answer, and should like to be informed of the
best answer that can be given by any true, hearty
opposer of slave extension and the domination Of
the slave power. My question is this: While
we are under the power of slavery, and are strug-
Cling to throw off that yoke Of bondage and have
no power, and can have none, to effect any other
object or MEASURE till we have thrown off that
yoke why should we even trouble ourselves to
compare views, sentiments, and plans Of action,
with regard TO matters thus out Of our power
Why not unite and fight msnfully till we have
become independent Of the slave power, and trust
to and acquisce in the policy and measures
which shall be adopted by the majority, when we
shall have wills to choose and power to act con-
corning the interests of our country That the
majority must govern, Is the true principle of
Republics. lt seems that we may more cheerful
ly trust the majority of those who may have sue
cessfully resisted the slave power, than such ma
jority as that to which we are now subjected and
must be subjected till the battle is fought and the
victory is won.
will now suggest that a platform upon the
above suggestions should include these ideas or
principles
No more slave Presidents.
No more slave States.
No further extension Of slave Territory
No test Of party with regad to Banks, Sub
Treasury, Finances, or other matters of ordinary
legislation, while we have no power to control
them.
But, with regard to these we will act as indi-
viduas, when called to act at ALL as we deem prop
er at the time And IL Liberty should become
triumphant over Slavery, and the power Of Gov
eminent be exercised by persons friendly to lib
erty as opposed to slavery, then will be the time
to settle upon principles which might be the test
Of the new party.
Where, and in what, would our Revolution
have ended, if the people, instead of being unit.
ed in throwing off the British yoke, had split
themselves up into parties about the the measures
to succeed a victory2 The party quarrels would
have endangered, if not prevented, the victory
altogether
CWe have received from the Moderator of
the Associate Presbytery of Richland, an account
OF its proceedings at a meeting held the I'd of
April, 1851, with request to publish We give
the essential part, being the resolutions adopted
on the subject of the Fugitive Slave Slaw, &c
dEa
The Associate Presbytery of Richlaud, at its
meeting on the "a day Of April, A. D. 1851, at
HaysviHe, In Ashland county, Ohio, adopted the
following
l. We, as court of Christ, hereby give our
Joint and decided testimony against that shame
fui thing" (the Fugitive Slave Law) as an abom-
inai outrage on the rights Of men and wanton in
suit TO the law Of Jehovah-the law of love
2. As the authority of God over man is supreme
II is therefore impossible that any law can be
made to set aside or counterbslance the author;tv
Of his law and believing the Fugitive Law 70 he
In direct opposition TO Gods law we declare that
IL can have no authority over the consciences Of
men, and ought not to be obeyed but should be
by all men, in oil cases. and in all circumstance
Ia so far as 1t relates to fugitive slaves openly
determinedly, and unyeldingly disobeyed, with.
out any regard to the penalties which il threatens
or which its trainers or advocates may, IL in the
| providence OF Tod permitted, inact
g. We mann all men, and enjoin those under our
prssbyterial Jurisdiction, TO utterly refuse any
compliance with the acquisitions Of this iniaui-
tous decree, and call on them TO join with us in
tho use Of all soriptural means for the repeal and
abolition Of this law, and the prevention Of the
mjschefs which II threatens TO nfict on the free
man and the slave, on the nation and the church
Of the living God" on the present and the CON-
ing gsnerationa
We remind all that " II il better, II the will
of God be 30, that ye suffer for well-doing, than
for svil-doing THAT We are bound, by the