The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-03-27
THE NATIONAL ERA.
A NATIONAL CONVENTION.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass, March II, 1851

SPRINGFIELD, Mass, March II, 1851.
To The Editor Ofthe National Era:
DEAR SIR: / read with much interest your ar
ticle few weeks since upon the duty Of anti
slavery voters; and have not been less interest
ed in the letter in the last Era from MIR. Lewis Of
Cincinnati
The reaction that has taken place among North
ern politicians on the anti-slayery question, has
been witnessed by us all with deep anxiety. The
truth Of it cannot be denied. And while we be.
lieye that il is confined mainly to the politicians
we all know the influence Of the press, for evil as
well "a for good. And the tone Of the Northern
political press on this subject is unquestonably
far below what it WAS in ls47. Various inauen-
ces have contributed 10 this result; but there is
one reason, in my opinion, more powerful than all
others We then had an fcieN ani-Slauery orgaHisa-
ton. Now we can hardly be said to have any.
The course taken by the Free Democracy OF New
York, and the extensive coalitions with the old
parties in the New England States, have left us
in position not very easily determined.
We need, then, as il seems TO me, first and most
of all things, State and National organization
10 fud out who and what, and where we are
Without this We can do nothing. With this,
holding, we do, the balance of power ia most of
the free States, we can do much We need such
an organization TO promote our own efficiency and
strength; TO prevent our ranks from being bro
ken and scattered by Encouragement or uncer-
tainty. We need it TO impress the unprincipled
politicians OF the old parties with a wholesome Jtar,
when nothing else will restrain them We need
II, above ALL az a citadel to which M good msH Of
the other parties may fee, when their hopes de-
ferred have made their hearts sick enough TO drive
them out.
was a member If the Convention that met at
Buffalo, in October Of ls4s. And though the
organization that was then formed was afterwards
merged in the Free Soil movement it never SEEM
ed to me the less important. Ii was a nucleus
around which the anti-slavery fragments that
were afterwards broken from the other parties
naturally gathered We came together by an
affinity that the pr'iudices Of years could not
resist.-Aad though, as Mr.. Lewis intimates, the
attraction was mutual, and both parties were
somewhat turned from their old spheres of motion,
great work was begun by il But had we not
been O,gaai,M our attractive power could not
have held them from filling back into the old
ranks. | fully believe that bad it not been for
the fNt Buffalo Convention, the second never
would have been held
Let ~. then have another National Conven-
ton in October next at Buffalo That is the
most central point for the free States, and the
associations connected with the place cannot but
be beneficial.
We perhaps all hope that many good men now
in the other parties will act with US at the next
Presidential election. But TO delay acting our
"SelreS till we see what Hy will do, would be fatal
Th,ir course will not he determined until after
their parties hold their National Conventions
This will not he before May, 1852. And it will
not only be too late for rs to begin an organzl
ton after that, but there will be altogether more
encouragement for them to secede, if there is al
ready an efficient organization, directed to the
same object with which they can unite
Nor can zee any objection TO the adoption of
thOrouph Democratic Drincnlps in snch a I on
vention. Though was trained upa Wing Pro-
tectionst, when adopted f,ee principles, applied
them to trade as well as meH. And doubt not it
is 80 with nearly all anti-slavery men. The prin-
ciple of free, unirammeed intercourse among
nations is founded in eternal truth and no timid
expediency need deter us from building plat
form Of materials that shall never decay.
And yet we might, aud | think it is our duty
TO, place ourselves in such position that we can
afterwards unite with any portions Of the other
plrties-if in any considerable numbers they
shall secede-oa The dmi-slausIy question alone.
This will be, in reality, the only question in is
sue. On this, men of opposite opinions on other
questions may unite The Slavery question must
be Seiied before any other question can be pre-
scented TO the people. IL is paramount, VITAL
question OF life or death TO the Republic. | can
therefore vote for Seward or Van Buren,, or any
good man who is on the side of Freedom, though
on other questions he does not represent nor
would he carry out, all of my principles.
But should we b. disappointed and both the
old parties should ride out the next Presidential
storm without being broken up, it is of infinite
Importance that we should be already in the field
strong in our principles, if not in our numbers
ready to fight manfully for the truth, and wait
with patience, while we labor in faith, for the
day of triumph. Respectfully yours,
w. DAVIS.