The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-03-13
LETTER FROM CINCINNATI.
CINCINNATI, February "a, 1851.


To the Editor of the National Era:
DEAR Sir have read your able article on
the duty of anti-slavery voters" Its first col
umn portrays wildly the desperate condition of
our country in reference to Freedom bnt we here
do not understand your remedy. While reading
your article q second time, a Free-Soiler from
Kentucky came in, and exclaimed, Good God,
sir, if you Free-Soilers allow yourselves to be
mixed up with the old parties, slavery will not
only extend over all new territory, but Ohio will
finally accept the institution He then spoke of
your article as one that he could not understand,
and said that, in recent conversation with South
ern men, they were sanguine in the belief that all
the Western States would finally establish
slavery.
May repeat some Of your questions What
is to be done2 Shall we all pass under the yoke,
and acknowledge ourselves conquered7 You an
swer I" We can vote our principles into office !"
and you take for granted that majority Of the
people are resolved to do so but still the question
recurs, How Is it TO be done Here, think,
some of us may differ and hence the Importance
of correspondence, conference, and cooperation If
possible.
You say that we need no National Conven-
tion or other extraordinary national movement
except "using our influence risely in Our respec-
tive States" On that word, wisely, hangs the
! difficulty Of determining our action What is IL
wise to do in the desperate circumstances by
which we are surrounded Compromises and
Shareholders, you say, have waived oil questions
Of minor importance, and united to sustain and
extend slavery In Missouri, Democrats elected
Wing Senator; in Rhode Island Wings elected
a Democrat and in other States, you might have
added, the great object with Wings and Demo-
Gratis is to kill of Free-Soil principles-that be-
ing the only question on which they can unite
And now, If | understand you, Free-Soilers
should profit by the example of their opponents
lay aside all minor questions Of politics. and unite
for liberty. In this we concur but can II be done
without some extraordinary" State or National
movement
without separating or being censured and that
do not advocate especially reorganization Of the
old Liberty party; yet, in passing | must say
that there has been a sad lowering Of Freedoms
standard since that party handed over It's credcn-
tails to the Free Soil party. Until now IL lie quite
a thing to rejoice over, when man can be found
to avow doctrines as free as we're adopted by
Wing and Democratic Legislatures In the palmy
days Of the Liberty party, aud which doctrines
We then thought too far below the demand Of the
times 10 be noticed fsvorably
But to proceed. Would you have us, In Ohio,
unite with Democrats or Whigsf take Ohio
as an example. The great object of those parties
is to secure ascendency In tho National Govern.
ment. II Is the same in all the free States. Load
ing Wings and Democrats know, that II Free Soil
principles prevail, they have no chance for promi
hence they have sinned too much--they could
not look upon advocates for liberty, and ask 10 be
trusted. Hence the influence that controls those
parties will DO opposed TO reform from instinct,
and they will lead their parties to act with slave
holders so long as either retains Its present or
gsninatiOn Then, II We 20 into those parties, we
must vote for their nominees that Is virtually the
pledge Of persons attending their conventions
such Is well understood 10 be the course Of those
acting with party In good faith and here Is our
objection TO union between Frse-Soilers and
Wings or Democrats, snos such union, though
intended to be for local purposes, and temporary,
would virtually build up the National parties and
hold up the hands Of our enemies.
What cares Webster, Cas-, or Foote, how many
Free-soiles are scattered among their several
parties, even though accident should occasionally
elect Senator or Congressman, 20 long ~ there
Is no distinct organised opposition TO either OF the
pro-slavsry parties, and the very men who help to
elect an snti-slavsry man 10 Congress are also
found elscting and sustaining bitter pro-slavery
National Admlnlstrstion. A few Free Soil 6sns-
tors or Congrsssmen, who may sometimes owe
their elections more 10 combinations Of hostile 81
ments than 10 Free Soil votes, can do no harm to