The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-09-08
AB0LITIONIsM NOT OPPOSED IN THE ABSTRACT,
BUT BY CONTRACT.

AB0LITI0NISM NOT OPPOsED In IhE hbSlnhCl
BUT BY CONTRACT.
The Hunker papers of Western New York
and elsewhere are down upon the Washington
Union venomously, for its alleged leanings to-
wards Abolitionism At first sight We natur-
ally enough took this to be nothing more ear
nest or homes. than the passionate accusation
of clique squabbling for spoils, or precedence
in organism; but really, the Hunkers seem to
have the Union in tight place, whether We
look to the facts of its position or the temper it
displays in its defence The editor of the Ro-
chester DAILY advertiser, Simon-purc Hun
ker loco, in late article, after abiding to
Cassius M. Clay's attempt to establish an Abo-
lition paper in Kentucky, and its destruction
by mob, takes up the Union in this fashion:
"Not to be foiled in this way, the Abolition.
ists next determined to establish paper in the
District Of Columbia, and the National Era
soon made its appearance there, which has
since been maintained and sustained in the
Capital of the nation, meeting with most extra
ordinary success, and rivalling in its circula-
ton all the papers of that city. Emulous of
its success, it seems that an old established pa
per-the Washington Union-formerly jour
nal of much standing and inhuence-is now
following in the wake of the National Era, and
s fast assimilating with it as genuine Adolf
ton paper.
"The course and tone of the Union for some
months past, and the obvious sympathies which
control its columns, clearly indicate its aainities
with Abolitionism. The time has been when
the conductors of that journal would have
spurned such associations, and would have
scorned to be the abettors and apoOgsts of
Free Soilism and Free Soil leaders But times
change, and so do the tastes of men,
The appointments to Offices by the President
of notorious Free-Soilers in New York, and the
Unions defence of the Administration, are per-
haps the principal facts which support these
allegations. But the following remarkable pas
sage from recent editorial Of the Union, is of
itself explicit enough to sustain the accusation,
however unlikely the antecedentS and commit
ments of the Government organ might other
wise render it.
"The Albany Argus quotes from the SYRIA
cuse Standard, sheet which we seldom see,
certain expressions in regard to slavery in the
abstract, and prays to be informed whether We
regard that journal and its language as being
Democratic. We have no difficulty in replying
that uce RIO not understand the Democratic party,
as a party of the country, TO haze euer taken
ground as to the abstract rightulneSS or DrOng-
fuinesS of slavery. We suppose that good Dem
ocratS, an different sections Of the country differ
w'deiy from each other on that question: and
piH continue so 10 do ;, while they all agree in
regarding the Democratic party as pledged to
discountenance and repress any renewal of the
sectional agitation, on the subject of slavery"
Now, it is plain enough, if these italicized
cfs4s11 e deserted even bv the the
extreme pro-slaverya n0|itical party of the ooun
try. If the Nation 5snaseracy has never ia
ken ground az to j4o ABSTRACT rightfulness o,
wrongfulness of slavery, it has never underpin
ned its policy in respect to it with principle
as it does in reference to all its other party
measures, and is keeping itself in condition. mo-
only to accommodate and thereby foster hos
tile sentiments, but also to take any grount
hereafter that events may favor.
The Wing papers Of the South have beer
badgering the Administration and its organs
for months past, about this matter. O., of APP
pointing Barnburncrs and Free. Sellers to i'm
portant Offices; and the loyal Democratic pressel
have had more than they could do in defending
them. We see not how the faithful can dispose
of the avowal of federation contained in the
words-"W We suppose that GOOD Democrats in
different sections Of the country differ widei,
from each other ON that question, and will con-
tinue to do So And as for "repressing' and
misunderstanding any renewal of the sectional
agitation on the subject Of slavery" it seems
to BIO the very thing TO suit the Anti Slavery
wing of the Democracy while their tride differ
encc of doctrine is tolerated and patronizcd by
tho Executive and the organised party. 1t was
suppression of Slavery not repression Of
agitation about it, that the South bargained
for. 1t is not silence and quiet that they want
but their purpose is to settle Abolitionism and
agitate slavery.
Ii is the Free-Soilers who say, arrest slavery
where it lie, keep the peace Of the Confederacy
and let the States where the mischief exists
dispose of it; and the Union is with them to O
title on all these points. To this extent the
Government organ is following in the wake
of the Era" though at q long distance, and in
a most equivocal way. But it is, nevertheless
on the track, for the very sufficient reason thai
there is no system Of national principles and
policy, except that Of the Era, which any no
tiondi politician can possibly dcvise
No set of men in The actual conduct of the
Government can get away from the doctrines
which We hold, They may abuse Us and VIC
late principle and consistency as much as they
please, or, as they must; but whenever they
venture to cxpound the Constitution and econ.
omy of the Government they must needs "as
simulate with the genuine Abolition paper"
We say that the Constitution itself takes
no ground az to the abstract rightfulness OF
wrongfulness of slavery it in fact say,
nothing for it nor against it--,hat itignorcs its
existence, and makes no provisions about it
We say that the Federal Government was es
tablished in order 70 form more perfect Union
establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility
promote the general welfare, and secure the
blessings of liberty 10 ourselves and our poster
ity. Our idea Of Nasios4 politics and policy
is just the silence about = abstract character
Of slavery, and the liberation of differences in
the sentiments of different sections of the coun-
try, which the Usioa Is sentimensally commit
ted for in the passages quoted Aud that these
doctrines of thu Governmopt organ assimilate
with Abolitionism in principle, is true enough,
for they very perfectly assimilate and harmon
ize with that Abolitonism which we entertain
and push, as moral suasion agency, far DO.
yond the legitimate reach Of the mere national
politics which We profess When We say We