Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-23
THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER AND
THE MASSACHUSETTS, WINGS.

The proceedings of the Massachusetts Wing
Convention have placed the National lntetti-
gencT in n very unpleasant position. The
force of party ties restraints that journal from
denouncing those proceedings as they deserve,
whilst their infamous character is so plain
and apparent that no attempt to excuse them
can be successful
1t is now impossible to whitewash the Wing
party of Massachusetts; but the National In
telltgencer has done the best that the circum-
stances would allow by administering re-
Duke of the mildest and gentlest character,
and throwing thin cloak over them with
smile of fraternal kindness. No doubt
that the central organ Of the Wing party
would have been glad to remain silent; but
under the circumstances silence was inadmis
sable. 1t was absolutely necessary to say
something, but very difficult to say anything,
without exposing and castigating the Freesoil
and Abolition sentiments announced by the
Massachusetts wings, or justifying their fac
tious, fanatical, and sectional sentiments.
The National Iateuigencer excuses itself for
not publishing "a part of the proceedings, in
GLIDING the speeches delivered by some of its
more prominent members" by alluding to Ger.
tain discussions which such publication
might force upon it. That journal then Sc.
lects two of the most moderate speeches de-
Hyered at the convention, and culls from each
ats most moderate paragraph to show the effect
which the earlier proceedings made on the
mind of the National Latelligcncer. WHAT
those earlier proceedings were, the public is
not informed through the columns of the In
teliigencer, whilst the publication of the Sc
lected extracts can not but have the effect
of misleading the readers Of that journal as to
the true character of the Boston gathering.
Even the selected paragraphs are intenpersed
with sectional sentiments and the moderation
Of their authors was expressed in those general
terms which mean nothing of themselves The
context, the speeches, show that the speakers
were fully imbued with the Freesoil sentiments
embodied in the resolutions. Mr.. Lord, the
FIRST speaker quoted by the htelligencey, stated
expressly that the question of slavery consti-
tutes The dividing line between the Wing and
Democratic parties. lie says:
at is not the nature ofthe Democracy to resist
slavery aggression. It's the nature of Whigism,
and that is exactly the dividing line between
those two great parties. Applause. 1t is the
nature Of one to resist and otlhe other to consort
with, and if you find an occasional exotic in the
Democratic ranks you may generally be sure,
II is because there is some power behind the
throne greater than the throne itself"
This declaration was received with applause,
and the speaker who made it committed him.
self thoroughly TO the Freesoil and anti-slavery
action of the convention. Mr. Chandler, the
other speaker, from whom the LateRigeRcer
quotes, also committed himself thoroughly to
the action Of the convention; and although he
deprecated harsh and vituperative language,
he announced that "Soutsern chiralyy ranked
lorer than that Of ragabonds and sarages."
So much for Mr.. Lord and Mr.. Chandler The
other speakers were even more violent in their
fanaticism. Even Franklin Dexter, the presi.
dent Of the convention, made this declaration:
81 trust that our resolutions this day will show
that the Wing party, at least in Massachusetts,
is the true Liberty party, hearty applause as
il is unquestionaby the only one that can
edectually oppose the Democratic party in its
subserviency TO the encroachments Of the slave
power on the rights Of the free States APP.
plause.
This sentiment, and the applause and hearty
applause with which It's utterance was greeted.
shows the temper Of the convention. Josiah
Quincy, SEN, was the next speaker. He spoke
I~c al NJ I.1, 4
freesoil speech. lie expressed his Joy at the
passage Of the Nebraska BILL because he be.
leyed il would arouse and unite the anti-sla.
very sentiment Of the North. Not content
with demanding the repeal of the Fugitive
Slave law, he demanded the CELEBRATION Of
that clause in the Constitution which required
the surrender Of fugitives from labor When
Mr.. Quincy concluded his fanatica harangue,
the convention, not satisfied with the ordinary
manifestation of appreciation, gave three cheers
in token Of its emphatic approval.
The resolutions adopted by the convention
are already before our readers. They are
strictly confined 10 local matters, and to the
slavery question. They do not announce one
Of the principles Of the old Wing party. In.
deed, they expressly declare that the slavery
question absorbs all others. Yet the hitelli.
gencer, with the utmost oalmness says, they zap.
proach, in some particulars, the creed phich
zoe are accustomed 10 understand Jy the term
Freesodism.p Truly this is a modest attempt
to whten blackamoor. They approach Free
soilism IN some particulars. Indeed! Why,
theygo beyond Freesoilism, and draw nearto the
vilest aboltionism They demand the restora.
ton Of the Missouri restriction, they demand
the repeal Of the Fugitive Slave law. they de-
nounce the admission Of slave States or tho
addition of slave territory, and they invite the
Freesoilers and Abolitionists to unite with
them in a sectional crusade against the South
With all these things plain and distinct the
Iatclligencer says that the platform of the Mas.
r.. A AZ Il