The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-09-14


him be elected. Let Liberal Democrats, and
Free Democrats, waive all their prsjudices, and
cooperate with the Wings in giving him such
vote as shall convince pro-slavers Admins
tration that it has not an inch of ground te
stand upon in the old keystone .tate. Lei
them remember, that had it not be IN for the
votes and influence of the Pennsylvs Tia delega-
ton in Congress, thrown gsinst the sentiment
of its People, the Nebraska outrage could never
have been sccomplished-f this fa ct imposes
on them peculiar responsibility ID the pres
ent contest. What the People of Pennsylvania
could not prevent they can avenge. Retribu-
ton is in their power; let it fall upot the heads
of those who misrepresented and betr .yed them
PARTEs-THE INDEPENDENT DE H0CRACY.
Should the Independent Democt acy relin.
quish, under existing circumstance, its name
and organization
In our Judgment, no.
There can be no better name foI our party
Democracy is the favofite watchvord of the
friends of popular liberty and profress in all
civilized countries. 1t has been so In all ages
1t will continue to be 80. The sire igth of the
administration party is derived, in great part
from the appropriation of their nafleyand the
concession Of it to them by other ps rites. The
adjective Independent expressively distinguish
es the Democracy which makes nc compromi-
ses with Slavery, moro than will any other
form of oppression, from the party which calls
itself Democratic, but fears and reftses to carry
out Democratic principles.
For these reasons, we think the name hide
pendent Democracy, by which the political
organization of the opponents of Slavery and
the Slave Power has come to be generally
known, is the bcst designation of Party Of
Freedom. IL ought not to be abaD doned, and
cannot be without weakening, if moi sacrificing
that organization.
The value and power Of tho Independent
Democracy is hardly understood, We fear, by
all the members of the Party. It car be hard.
ly over-estimated.
At the last Presidential election, this party
cast one-twentieth Of the votes polled tor Presi-
dent and Vice President. Such psrty can
not fail to exert great influence If sinly deci-
ded and intelligent and persistent. Iswill GER
tainly have in Congress and in the State Legis-
latures as many members as its numbers, in
proportion to other parties entitle it 20; and it
must increase.
1t has confessedly the right side of the para
mount question of the day. Some ss,y it goes
too far-a few, that it does not 60 far enough.
But all agree that it is on the right side. This
fact gives it great power.
The only reason assigned for giving up the
Independent Democratic organization, has been
deduced from the reluctance of some Wings to
join party having the Democratic name. 1t
is now evident enough that such Wings will
join no party of which Independent Democrats
are recognised element and their Anti-Sla-
very principles the avowed basis, under any
name.
A large portion of the Wings are resolved to
maintain the Wing organization. Those who
will act with the Independent Democrats in a
new party, will act with them without change
of name. These Wings are, in fact, better en-
titled to the name of Democrats, and more
Democratic, than the supporters of the Admin
istration can be.
But, while we would preserve the organiza-
ton and name of the Independent Democracy,
we would not refuse to cooperate with others
in practical efforts for the limitation and there
fore final extirpation of Slavery.
AS long as any party in this country has a
Pro-Slavcry wing, the Administration elected
by it must be Pro-Slavery. There is no escape
from this, whether the party call itself Wing
or Democratic. The minority, in opposition,
must therefore be Anti-Slavery to some extent.
Hence the Wings are now Anti-Slavery, and
hence the Old Line Democrats were Anti-Sla-
very after the election of Taylor.
With the minority, therefore, the Tndepend-
ent Democrats, always Anti-SlaVery, may, and
indeed must, cooperate The cooperation may
be by nominating Peoples ticket composed
of persons representing each of the oo-opera-
ting parties, by single conventions of both par
ties, or by separate conventions of each party.
Such cooperation will strengthen, not injure,
the party whose principles arc soundest and
most permanent. **#
nuNcur7or lsor, MAY