The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-07-01

a. IN aim. differ from us in policy.
Organizations are useful, but the Indicidud
Nan is higher than any organization. No
good to be attained by organization can pay a
man for the loss of his individuality. Let him
use party as an instrument not be used by 1t
rs slave. Let him be true, first to himself,
then To whatever organization he may choose
to sustain. Truth and Right are the exclusive
property of no party in all parties, all or
carnations. You will find portions OF them. and
wherever you find them. you are bound to ac-
knowledge and sympathize with them.
For this reason when we undertake to ex-
anime the action and position of parties, we
shall not be governed by reference to the
question how We may best subserve the pur-
poses of a Free SOIL organization. or rally
voters under our banners. The first question
j.. What is True-what are the Facts 1t
would be easy to dcnolnce both the old pohtl-
cal parties. as occupying precisely the same
ground in relation to Savery-both their plat
form, and their tickets a. equally bad-and it
might tend TO swell the number of voters for "A
third party and il, ticket If the Era were a
mere party organ, It might pursue this course
Lut it is not It, first duty is to tell the Truth
III. whole Truth and nothing but the Truth
eat where it may hart or profit whomsocver IT
may.
II we find anything in the platform of the
Democratic party On the subject of slavery.
less Objectionable than in that of the Wing
party, We shall say 80, and Uicc rersa Why
not! We aim at the establishment Of prin-
ciple, not of party We wish TO multiply
converts to our way of thinking, as one means
Of reaching the great aim We have referred to,
but we also desire to do what We can, in the
way Of supplying useful facts and hints to our
friends who still continue to act in their old
organizations.
One party platform or one party ticket may
not be quite so obnoxious as the other but
that is really a matter of small moment, so
long as both are pledged to maintain pro-
slavery system Of measures, As essential to their
nationality Both are thus ged-neither
has made any concession that can justify
those who believe in the policy of independent
political action, in voting for its nominations.
oar friends will see from this exposition what
a poor party organ the Era would make. All
it asliires to be, is, an humble ally of Ants
very men, whether acting with the old parties,
or in an Independent combination; its judg-
ment approving Of those who maintain the lat
ter policy, while its cordial sympathies embrace
both classes
SO much for the political ann of the Era, as
it respects Slavery, and the methods by which
it proposes to reach it.
Another principal Though not POLITICAL aim
of the Era is the abolition Of Slavery in the
South not by Federal political action, because
the Federal Government has no constitutional
power to act on the question bat by a free and
fall discussion of the subject Of Slavery, in its
relations to the interests of the slaves, Of the
masters, Of the non-slayeholders of the South,
Of the country, Of the cause Of Republicanism,
of Civilization generally with the hope of CO.
operating with other peaceful and moral agen-
cies in promoting the growth of an Anti-Sla-
very Sentiment in the Southern States, which
shall finally cmbody itself in voluntary legis-
lation in favor of Emancipation.
This, after ALL is the great aim of the Ma
honai Era, 50 far rs the Question Of Slavery is |
concerned; and in the prosecution Of this Oh
eet it haze always held, and will always hold
inyolatc the doctrine Of State Rights, never
claiming for the Federal Government the exer-
else of a doubtful power but asserting for the
States in which Slavery exists, the exclusive
right to legisate upon the subject
The other AIMS. of the National Era like
those Just stated are thoroughly Democratic
Adopting the language of our Prospectus for
1850, We still hold and at proper times are
prepared 10 maintain
That the Federal Constitution ought to be so
amended as to place the election of President
III the hands of the People, directly, and to
limit his term ofoihcc to four or six years making
him thereafter ineligible and to be still fur
Their amended so as to give to the People of the
several States the election of their United
States Senators, changing the term of Office
from SIX to four years
That the Post Office Department ought to be
separated from the Chief Executive, the Post
master General and all the local Postmasters
being elective 10y the People. and the power of
removal for just and sufficient cause lodged in
the hands OF the Postmaster General;
That postage on all newspapers of n certain
size for all distances, should be one cent on
all letters, under half an ounce, for all distan-
ces, two cents prepaid; that the Thanking priv
ilege should be abolished and negotiations be
instituted for the purpose of securing free cx-
changes, within reasonable limits between the
newspapers of Europe and the United States,
and reduction to the lowest point posi-
bic in the postage on letters passing between
foreign countries and our own:
That the public lands should be held as
trust for the benefit of the People of the Uni
ted States, to be granted in limited quantities
to actual settlers who are landless:
That the homestead ought to be exempt from
sale or execution for debt
That restrictions on commerce among the
several States, and between all nations ought
To be removed
That Congress ought to make due appropr-
atiunS for improvements demand by the inter
,tsof commerce with foreign nations or among
the States provided they be not purely local in
their benefits, and he not proper subjects for
State or individual enterprise.
And we further maintain in view of recent
events in Europe, that it is the duty of the
Federal Government, in all its relations to
foreign Powers, to be true to the Democratic
Principle and by every peaceful means to