The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-08-11
rHx UNION CRUSADE.


A year or two ago, ola~ 4 eliticians
known by the designation see esvers,"
grew up and aourished ~ nTr1Q the
Union was believed to be - No.
patriotic individuals resolve g M
popularity in defence Of q Unidn II ~ eeR-
siderable body of the people DIS pos
ing. They called meetings, made speeches,
rose up early, and sat up till late, to achieve
their objects, and the Union was subjected to
salvation weekly through their efforts. The
disease has about run its course The recent
Presidential election brought it to crisis, and
the patient we are happy to say, bids fair to
recover. Even some of the original parties to
this Union-saving effort now rebuke some Of
the less. favored individuals who are attempting
to galsanize this dead and buried humbug into
life and vitality. A call for q convention to
organize National Union party, to meet at
Newburyport ON 5th of September, has been
issued. 1t is signed by Hunker Wings and
Democrats The objects proposed by the origi-
majors of this movement are. thus set forth:
9This new party will be devoted to the cause
of National Union. 1t will be pledged to up
hold the Constitution, the Union, the laws, and
to stand by our country and National Govern
ment long after all other parties cease to have
an existence.
"Under its State organization it will with
hold it's support in all future State and nation
al elections from every element Of disunion, and
from all candidates for Office not pledged to
carry out the principles, policy, and measures
/. of this new party
awe also unite in call for National
Union Party Convention, in the city of WASH
ington, on the 22d of February next to be fully
represented by the Union men of all parties,
and by the American people from every Con-
gressiOnal district State and Territory Of the
American Union.
ain the belief that the present organization
of political parties under their antiquated is
sues, policy, and measures tend to separate the
Government from the people, and endanger the
Union, liberty, and independence of the Amer
lean people, we urgently recommend an imme-
date abandonment of all existing parties, and
a Simultaneous action of the Union men of
Massachusetts, with those of the South and
great West under entire new measures, in
which all can consistently and harmoniously
unite in advancing the great national interests
of the American Union.
"Upon the firm stand, determined purpose,
honest bold fearless, and independent action
of the Union men in carrying out the princi-
Piles so often urged upon the American people
by the illustrious Washington, Adams, Jeffer-
son, Clay, and Webster and in organizing this
party, now hang the future destinies Of our
country, the stability of our republican institu-
tons and Government and the permanency of
the American Union"
These Massachusetts, men are evidently be-
hind the times-their ammunition will not ig-
mite. In Georgia, Union party organization
was kept up, but the Augusta (Ga) Constitu-
tional admits "that all the fears and apprehen-
sions expressed in regard to the rights of the
South, and the present peril Of the Union mean
just nothing at all, except to catch Uotes." The
Constitutional goes on:
eve ask again, is this dispute to continue
year after year, and is there to be no end of
this hostility and discord between the North
and the South? Are we to be taught contin-
ually to look on our Northern brethren as ene-
mics, and that they desire to see the day arrive
when all of our interests are to precipitated in
to ruin! Answer, ye men of discord-you who
are continually harping about the rights OF the
South, and danger to the Union-you dcceiv-
ers of the people, who know that the Union is
in no danger Of being dissolved, and for party
purposes would practise deception on them,
by proclaiming its peril when you know 1t is
secure You are the disunionists, and we make
the charge in the face Of all that you do and
say Even in Richmond county, there is call
for Union meetings. shallow and unholy
prostitution of that sacred name. Is there q
clique or party in our midst that is opposed to
this Union? We challenge the production of
that name. The very inference is gross libel
on our people, and they will ultimately put
down those who, to catch votes, are proclaim
ing danger, danger, when there is none. 1t is
hollow device which is discovered and which
will be remembered"
But this is not ell. The Washington Union,
too, lends its aid to cast discredit upon these
Union-savers par excellence. In noticing the
effort to organize National Union party the
/ Union thus speaks in disparagement Of the at
tempt
"The plan is not at all deficient in cOmpre-
hensiveness as il proposes great National
Union Convention to be held at Washington
on the 22d of February, 1884, and invites the
cooperation of such ilustrious statesmen as
Fillmore, Everett, Dickinson, Choate, Toombs,
Stephens Lawrence, and Cass.
n n ~ ~ n n
"There are Pharisees in politics as well as in
religion, and they are generally pretty easily
detected by the high pretensions which they
make to more patriotism and devotion to the
Union than other people
n
ave cannot but regard this Massachusetts
movement as repetition of visionary scheme
for breaking up the two old parties which has
been resorted to again and again under some
temporary ebullition of patriotic efervescence,
which exhibits itself in jealous love of the
Union. We have as little doubt that it will
run az brief career as it's predecessors"
The Union party was formerly kept in coun-
tenance by such presses as the Union and the
Republic of this city. They paraded in their
columns the proceedings Of the Union meetings
applauded their orators, and dwet lovingly up
on their patriotism. Alas for the mutability
of human affairs. The Washington Union has
become an organ, and the glory Of the Union
party" has departed.
There is a certain class of anti-progressive
Wings and Democrats who wish to affiliate 10
order to achieve their own purposes, and keep
alive their conservative tendencies. Progress
alarms them; change startles them and evil
forebodDgs appal their visions at every effort
to get out of the beaten path in which their
predecessors walked These men are now call
ed upon to save the Union. The above extract
from the Union gives the names Of the men
who are expected to head the movement-Fill-
more, Everett, Dickinson, &c. We hope this
new party will not perish in its inception. It
is fitting and proper that those who sympsthize
with the Hunkers should go where they belong