The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-05-26
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stauco euhi III tne uTlt vi w hhV'0 VI w %
gestive than of the demonstratiye in It, The
article is not superficial, but it Is uncertain
not insensible, but inconolusiye the argument
docs not satisfy the proposition. It afhrms that
in republics there must always be a great
democratic party a party protesting princi-
Piles of progress pressing in the direction OF
popular enfranchisement; and explains its nat
ural and usual success by the tendency OF the
majority to be governed by names rather than
to look beyond these to the things they pro-
fess to represent This we take to be good isr
nothing, if meant for a complaint The masses
are exactly right in prcferring the party with
the true creed, whatever its practice may be,
to that which contradcts their theory and for
bids their hopes Moreover, if such protesting
democracy must of necessity predominant in
republics, there can be no use or wisdom in
adhering to mere opposition party. MIR.
Greeley feels this without seeing it very clear
ly or following it logically. He denies that it
is the proper function of the Wing party to
act as snafile upon the Democracy-he even
denies that the said Democracy needs any
snafle, for the reason, however, that if left to
its own Roadway it will of necessity curb itself
before it rushes into any irretricvable mischief
A democratic party, then, we infer, is just the
thing for republic, as safe Us it is inevitable,
guidance and restraints But such conclu-
sion contains too much for Mr.. G's purposes
and position.
He aifrms, also, that there generally will
10 formidable party adverse to this Demo-
cratic array - less compact, less disciplined,
less maleable and manageable, yet still en-
bodying many elements of strength, and fire.
quenty snatching victory from the confident
grasp of its antagonist" and, that he will
generally act with it when he acts with any
party. But how and why such an adverse or
ganization should be maintained he does not
undertake to explain, notwithstanding the
caption of his article The Boston AtidS and
Journal clearly maintain that Wing party
exists, and exists Of necessity and that its at
titudo and function is opposition to the Demo
cratic-its principles general nogation-and
its use, a snatle, and nothing else. Mr. Gree.
ley in the last paragraph Of the article we are
noticing, as if answering conclusion that pre-
sents itself to the reader, and writer, too, says
" but we do not imply that there is no function
for and no need Of great party adverse to
that which vaunts its speculative Democracy
That is the very hint on which to speak, but
he gives us nothing of creed or platform, af-
frmative, constructive, positive, or efficient for
the purposes of organization and action, except
that "The proper antidote to Fillibusterism of
all sorts is the urgent and vigorous advocacy
of THE PACIFIC RATLRoAD."!!!
In ls4s, the Wing party threw away its
platform, and declared General Taylor in
stead. In 1882, having none of its own it 81
amescd the Democratic, gave up its identity,
and, in the Presidential contest became ex-
tinct. It's history we know it is an cpitaph
now. The adverseness and the adversely of
the great adverse party, its perverseness and
its reverses, are written in every verse of its
chapter of accidents and now we want to
know what it is going to do about it.
lift had been wise enough and good enough
in its day Of power to "throw away its votes"
occasionally, instead of its principles, or if it
would but make up it's mind TO do 30 now,
when great occasions demand, We could sug-
COST policy, prescribe an organization, and
lend it platform something broader than the
Pacific Railroad.
Mr.. Greeley, if he cares, is welcome to know
that the writer of this article profoundly re-
spects him, and generally agrees with him ex-
oept in the matter of that imprscticable adj
per@nes Of his, which means nothing, and
comes to nothing F..
This extract from letter of Washington
was first published by Mr.. Sumner, in his able
constitutional argument on Slavery, delivered
August Goth, 1882. Il should have been ap-
pended to the extracts from his writings, and
will be appropriately placed in Facts for the
People,
Mr.. Sumner in introducing it, said:
While President of the United States, at the
close of his Administration, Washington sought
to recover slave who had fled to New Hamp-
shire. His autograph letter to Mr. Whipplc,
the Collector of Portsmouth, dated at Philade-
phia, 2Sth November, 1896, which now hold
in my hand, and which has never before seen
the light, after describing the fugitive, and
particularly expressing the desire Of her mis-
tress,' Mrs, Washington, for her return, en-
ploys the following decisive language:
~ do not mean however, by this request, that
such violent measures should be used As WOULD EX-
CITE MOB on RIOT, WHICH MIGHT BE THE CAsK Y
SIZE HAS ADHERENTs, OR KvEs UNEASY SENSATIONS
IN THE MINDS or WHLL-DlsrosED CITIZENS. Rather
than either Of these should happen would forcgo
her services altogether and the example also, which
is OF infinite moro Importance.
GEORGE WASHINGTON"
MIR. Whipple, in his reply, dated at Ports
mouth, December %, 1896, an autograph copy
of which have, recognises tho rule Of Wash
ington
II will now sir agroeaby TO your desire, send her
| to Alexandria, II ii he po0ioibk wishOm the ooas>-
9DeHc.s rhich yon srosa-talt of ercnsng ROT or
NAB, OF Grating anasy ~Dsaf'ons iR IN. minds ~
.ekiaispoSd yersohs Me first cannot bo caculs tod
beforeh and It will BIO governed by the popular opin.
ion of the moment, or tho circumstances that may
arise in the transaction Tho latter may he sought
into and judged Of by convor.ng with such persons
} without discovering the occasion. So Ear as ! have
had opportunity perceive that difforon sentiments
are entertained on this subjeot'
The fugitive never was returned but lived
in freedom to good old age, down to very
recent period, q monument Of the just forbear-
snce of him whom wo aptly call the Father OF
his Country
NATIONAL CONVENTIONAL colored Nation.
al Convention is called 10 assemble at ROches.
ter, N. Y, on the 9th Of July, 1853. The call
is well written, and declares that their "war
fare is not one where force can be employed,
their "battle is against false and hurtful Gus
toms, and against the errors which supper,
such customs
! The object Of the Convention is 70 conside,