The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-01-30
TIE NEW COALITION.

ures Of the last session. 30 far no political organ
i1aton has been formed with a view specifically
TO their overthrow; nor have members of Con
gress in favor of their modification or repeal
concerted any movement looking to that end, OF
attempted to take the initiative in organizing
public sentiment against them. They did not
suppose they were elected to form new party
especially one whose principles and aims should
reflect, not the will of the People but the policy
of scheming politicians in Washington.
The Capital is a considerable place, the centre
of many influences for good and evil, but when its
politicians assume to break up old party organi-
zltions, and form new ones, to manufacture pub
lie sentiment, to determine the political creed OF
the country, to dictate the issues not only in Ma
tional but State politics, it is time for the People
to inquire whether such assumption be respectful
to their judgment, or regardful Of their indePend-
ence.
The opponents of the Compromise measures de-
termned to do all they could in the exercise of their
to make their opposition efec-
tua but the kind of action fit for their constituent
cies, they have thought best to leave for the con-
sideratiOn and decision of the People themselves.
The friends of the Compromise entertain different
views Having by the most adroit and unscru-
pulous tactics forced through Congress a system
of measures VIGOROUSLY repuguant to the will of
the minority of the American People, they now
propose by new political coalition to battle the
opposition of this majority, and to control the
expression of the popular will. They are deter
mined to create public sentiment, not to await its
indications, to coeree the People, not to submit TO
their will-to manufacture issues and candidates
for the next Presidential canvass.
ia our last, we brieS3 enbounceo ana rpm-
mencemcnt Of new political organization, the
paternity Of which was shared by many promi-
nent politicians in Congress. Since then, the
National Mtellgecsr, for the purpose Of prevent
ing misconception, has published the following
pledge, which discoses the principles and objects
Of the new party:
"The undersigned, members of the Thirty-h
Congress of the United States, believing that a
renewal of sectional controversy upon the subject
Of slavery would be both dangerous to the Union
and destructive Of its objects, and seeing mode
by which such controversy can be avoided except
effected by the Compromise Acts passed at the
last session of Congress, DO HEREBY DECLARE their
intention TO maintain the said settlement invio-
late and to resist all attempts to repeal or alter
the acts aforesaid, unless by the general consent
of the friends of the measures, and to remedy such
evils if any, as time and experience may develop.
And, for the purpose Of making this resolution
effective, they FURTHER DECLARE that they will
not support for the office Of President or Of Vice
President, or Of Senator or of Representative in
Congress or as member Of State Legislature,
any man, of whatever party, who is not known to
be opposed to the disturbance of the settlement
aforesaid and to the renewal in any form, of agi-
tation upon the subject of slavery
This paper, being read in the Senate last We'd
nesday by Mr.. Hale, brought out Mr. Clay and
Mr.. FoOte, who boldly avowed that they had
signed it, and were prepared to stand by it. Mr.
Cobb's name, we understand. heads tho liat Ia
is backed by Messrs. Toombs and Stephens, and the
following " Silver Greys" as they are styled from
New York: Duer, Phoenix, Rose, schermerhOrn
Brooks, Andrews, Thurman, and Bokee.
Mr.. German Of Indiana is said to be one of the
elect.
= sss and Dickinson, while expressing entire
sympathy with the objects aimed at have de-
clined subscribing under an apprehension, we
suppose, that their prospects for the Presidency
might be somewhat impaired by any untimely
| commttals
After the notoriety given to the matter by the
discussion in the Senate on the 22d, Houston OF
| Texas and Downs of Louisiana we are told, ex-
plunged their names from the paper. Mr.. Whit
comb of Indiana is the only Northern Democrat,
beside German, who has signed the pledge, so far
as we know There may be others. Mr. Eliot of
Boston, and the Rhode Island Senator's, we are
| told, are subscribers to it.
The whole number of signers among members
Of Congress, is estimated at about fifty or sixty
We hope they will bo published. The People
ought to know the names of the Representatives
and Senator'S who are benevolently forming this
new party for their benefit
Mr.. Foote says the movement is in perfect uni
son with that commenced by the Union Safety
Committee of New York, and in his speech in
the Senate he was quite communicative as to the
aims and proceedings Of the projectors
He says
1--WE whose names are to be found attached to
this paper, have agreed, as far as in US lies, to
commingle our exertious for the suppression Of
agitation and the overthrow Of faction. Believ-
ing that the people of this country are entitled to
repose, after 80 protracted Of turmoil and
controversy we have agreed to do what we can to
still agitation and terminate sectional strife. Be-
lieving that we could, by united efforts do some
| good in the counteraction Of existing evils, we
have not hesitated however differing, and expect
ing hereafter to differ, upon other questions which
have formerly divided parties, 10 enter into sps-
cial and formal compact NTH each other 10 cooperate
actively and sealously for The overthrow those who
| 'rs recognise as our common eHemy."
Again assuming that tho agitation OF the
Slavery Question is the work of aspirants for
| Office, says
We determined to adopt the remedy to the
disease and to give assurance, as far as We might
be able to do So to all DESTROYS of attaining the
high place Of power, that the shortest road TO sta
ton would be hereafter found to be the faithful
performance of oil the duties of good citizenship.
| Accordingly, sir, we did draw up and subscribe
the paper in question. Many have signed it, and
many more, with the same pure and upright n-
tentions viii sign it hereafter No one is urged
to take part in the proposed movement; no one
is censured or complained Of for Withholding his
name. We know that many concur in every SEN
timent stated in this paper who prefer some other
mode Of declaring their views. We are aware
that the peculiar position Of some may be such as
to make IL in their judgments polite to take no
active part in this proceeding at all, however
much they may sanction it and desire its success
We aim at no personal aggraudizement We at
tempt no coercion; we practice not the arts OF
intimidaon-at least in any sense to be rightfully
complained Of We are not willing ourselves to
vote for any man for office, high or low who may
attempt to sgitate hereafter upon the subject oil
slavery, or who may strive to break up the happy
settlement recently effected and we have deemed
1t judicious 80 to declare, in public and solemn