The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-06-08
WHAT Is TO BE DONE l-"THE NEED OF THE
TIME

TIME
In another column the reader will find an
article from a very intelligent correspondent,
on the "Need of the Timen Ii deserves con-
siderstion. The writer would interpose no OBJ
stacle in the way of those who are seeking to
Freedom, but his object evidently is, to
guard against an inadequate and inefficient
organization of their forces.
The perpetuation of the Wing Party neces-
sarily involves the maintenance Of the present
Democratic Party-and the continuance of
both, leaves to Free-Soilers, or Independent
Democrats, no alternative but the preservation
of their organization.
The nucleus Of the Independent Democratic
Party was formed in 1S39-'4O, and was then
known as "the Liberty Party" From that
time down to the last Presidential election: the
most determined efforts were made to secure
to the Wing Party the adhesion of its mem
bers. It's separate action was condemned as a
blunder. It's leaders were charged with play
ing into the hands of the "Locofocos." 1t
v
ably disposed to the Cause Of Freedom than
the Democrats; and, therefore, although net
coming quite up to the standard of the Liber-
ty men, they had just claim upon their sup
port. "a half loaf was better than no bread"
Thee trre policy was ITO choose between
evils )" the right way YVES to vote for the
men, least opposed to their opinions, who had a
chance of being elected. 1t was folly to throw
away their votes, without the slightest prospect
of success; it was wicked, by withholding them
from the Wing Party, to subject it to defeat
OF course, men who piled them with argu-
ments of this kind, held them responsible for
the defeat of Henry Clay, and what was
charged as necessary consequences, the annex
alton of Texas and the Mexican war; and
responsible, too, for the election of General
Pierce, and whatever consequences resulted
from that event
Steadily the friends of direct political action
against the Slave Power, maintained their
ground, through evil and good report, adding
to their numbers, never changing their princi-
pies or policy, although, in obedience to cir
cumstances, they accepted new name, and in
184S became known as the Free or Independ-
emit Democracy. They admitted frankly that
in the Free States there were more Wings
than Democrats literally disposed towards their
views, and inclined to opposition to Slavery
but, they pointed to the facts, that the Party
which is in the ascendant in the Federal Gov
ernment, having secured its place by alliance
with the Slave Power, IN obedience to that
Power, is peculiarly Indifferent towards Anti
Slavery movements; that from 1886 to 1852,
the Democrats were thus in the ascendant,
with the exception of a few months Of power
under General Harrison, and a four years. term
from ls48 to 1852 that the Anti-Siavery poll
oy of the Wings in the free States, when out of
power, was to be attributed largely to their
necessities, which constrain an opposition to
avail itself of every element of hostility to the
Administration Party; that similar necessities
developed similar Anti-Slavery proclivities in
the Democratic Party, when it was thrown
out Of power and into the opposition, in 1s4S;
and that the Wings, organised nationally, and
in possession of the Government from 1S48 to
1852, were practically as pro-slavery as their
predecessors-the surrender of the Wilmot Pro-
viso, and the imposition of the Fugitive Slave
Act, being the most signal achievements of the
Fillmore Administration.
, And thsy now point to these additional facts,
that in the Wing National Convention of 1884,
a majority Of delegates passed resolutions in "a
vor Of the pro-slavery legislation of 1850, affirm
ed its fnaIty avowed opposition to further
agitation of the Slavery question, and put in
nomination Presidential candidate who &C
cepted emphatically the policy thus proclaim
cd; and that, subsequently, the Wings general
ly, in their State Conventions and through their
leading journals declared acquiesoencc in what
had been done, and manifested strong repug-
nance to any kind Of movement on the subject
of Slavery.
We reproduce these facts, not for the pur-
pose of rcproaching any Party, not for the pur-
pose of placing Wings Or Democrats on their
defence, not to provoke recrimination or stir
up anew the elements of discord, but to justify
the policy of the Independent Democrats, and
demonstrate to all politicians tina. union of
the friends Of Freedom in the free States, on the
basis of either the Wing or Democratic organi.
sation, as at present existing, is utterly out of
the question. Maintain these Parties, and the
same reasons which have constrained the In
dependent Democracy to keep up its separate
organization, will force the same policy upon
it. We never will assent to the compromising
tactics of either, or sustain them.
The fundamental vice Of both is clearly sta
ted by our correspondent;
Each Of the other parties is divided into
two wings-an Anti-Slavery wing and a Pro-
Slavery wing. The Pro-Slavery wing Of each
is composed of Shareholders 1rho look upon SD
very as the paramount interest to be regarded
an all political and Legislative action, and non
Shareholders Uho either fear Slavery, or are
ca, eteSs respecting a. and therefore quite uiH-
ing to do aDhatever the Shareholders require
The Anti Slavery wing of each has acted on
the principle that party unity as the primary
necessity and that, l0hatevsr obnoxious platform,
may be set up, or sohateUer obnoxious candidates
nominated, they are to be dcquiesced an and sup
ported, rather than hazard party division"
The result is before our eyes Polk, elected
BY tie Democratic Party, wars upon Mexico
and dismembers it, for the purpose of enlargine
the area of Slavery. Fillmore, elected By TIE
Wings abandons the doctrine of the glorious
Ordinance of 1887, aud fastens upon the coun
try an odious act, which just now has brought
sovereign State to the brink Of civil war
Pierce, chosen by tho Democratic Party, re
peals the Missouri Compromise, and mediate.
war to prevent Emancipation in Cuba AnC