Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-17
THE CONVERSIONS IN pIAssACHU-
sIETTs AND NEW YORK.

Two important conventions assembled yes
terday. One Of them, the regular whig con-
vention of Massachusetts, met at Boston. The
other. the fusion convention of New York, met
at Saratoga. The proceedings Of those assem-
blapes will be looked for with interest, because
they must shed some light on the future move
ments Of parties in the north. Ii
When the Nebraska bill was passed, the
northern wings joined most heartily in the cry
Of repeal, aud urged with great earnestHess the
formation of new organization in the north,
which should pay no attention to former party
associations, but look only to the slavery ques
lion as affording the bond of union and the
test Of merit. It's object was to create ? sec
tional party and to set on foot a crusade against
the south in order to restore the Missouri re-
striction, to repeal the fugitive slave law, to
abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, and
to prevent the acquisition Of slave territory and
the admission of slayeholding States.
In the beginning we thought that there was
one great obstacle to the success Of this scheme.
We knew that the bulk Of the wing party Of the
North had become thoroughly imbued with free
soil and abolition sentiments; and we did not,
therefore, believe that they would be restrained
by patriotic feelings, from building up dam
gerous sectional organization. But we know
very well that selfish motives of personal ag-
grandizement exerted great influence over
the anti-slayery leaders Of the North, no matter
in what organization they were found. We
knew also, that every party, whether new or
old--whether based on principles, or formed by
unworthy coalitions, must choose leaders, and
must nominate candidates for places of honor,
profit, and emolument This knowledge IN
duced us to believe that there was one difficulty
in the way Of promoting q strong sectional
party by fusing the anti-slayery elements in the
north. This belief was not founded on the
virtues, but on the vices Of those who desire to
trample on the constitution by overthrowing
the sterling democracy which sustains it.
We cannot say to what extent the obstacle
we have mentioned may operate but it is clear
that if,the attempt to form fusion party in the
north should fail, the failure will spring from
that cause. If the fusion does not take place,
1t will not be because the wings, freesoilers and
abolitionists of the north are not willing to oc-
cupJ the same platform; but because each will
wish to control the organization of a new party
Ito wear its honors, enjoy its patronage, and
roam the fruits of its successes. We cannot call
to mind failure to coalese in the primary
meetings 70 send delegates to the Boston and
Saratoga conventions, which was not produced
by iealousies growing out of the cause we have
mentioned That seems to be the only barrier
for all of the fragments which it is sought to
unite, vie with each other in the utteranee oil
sectional sentiments and, in appeals to the an
ti-slavery sentiment. We remember that the
why meeting at Boston which appointed dele
gates to the State convention that convened at
Faneuil Hall yesterday was opposed to a fusion.
But then, it was clear from the speeches deiiv-
cred on that occasion, that the opposition to
fusion was based upon the fact that the meeting
considered the whig party of Massachusetts as
already committed to the anti-slayery ideas OF
the fusionists, and consequently deemed new
organization unnecessary. If we understand
the matter rightly, the Boston meeting was will
ling TO carry out tho principles of the fusionists
but wished to do it through the agency OF the
present whig organization. In other words,
they wished the new elements to come into Their
camp, aid their forces, and follow the directions
of their leaders. II may be that the convention
will not present fusion ticket; but we venture
the prediction, that it will in that event, make
syery exertion to persuade the freesoilers into
the wing ranks by pledges and promises, and
fanatical resolutions.
The Saratoga convention was called for the
very purpose Of effecting fusion, and pre-
senting a fusion ticket to the people OF New
York. 1t is generally understood that promi-
nent wing leaders we're active in setting the
movement on foot. Judging from our ex-
changes, the delegations are made upof wings,
freesoilers, and abolitionists--th preponder.
ance being in favor of the wings. But it is inn
possible TO say what course will be pursued
by the convention, for the wings have called
a separate convention to meet at Syracuse
next month, and some Of the whig leaders,
who were active in getting up the Saratoga
movement, oppose the nomination of State
ticket until then. We think that the wing
managers will attempt to induce the Sara
toea convention to adopt series OF violent
resolutions having fusion tendency, and then
adjourn without making any nominations
Then, when the Syracuse Convention meets
they will frame ticket more in consonanct
with wbig interests, and perfect an organiza
ton which will be more under the control o
whig managers. We think that they wisf
10 commit the fusion elements first and Their
use them afterwards. They profess philan
thropy, but are actuated by selfish purposes
and, even il they have such preponderatint
force at Saratoga as to shape the action of tn
Convention, they would hardly deem it politi
10 frighten their associates by exhibiting thei
strength and developing their intentions, s.