Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-12-02
{ The Hour of PeriI.o


ssThe Hour Of Peril"
Under this head, tho Washington, Union of
this morning, publishes "a Report of the
Michigan Annual Conference Of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, adopted at their last Sep
I mber session. in which that fanatical body
denounced. slavery, the repeal Of the Missouri
compromise, and the fugitive slave law, and,
having done which, the Union, with its char
actcristic Jesuitism, its low cunning, and its
utter disregard Of all fairness or honesty, adds,
We are reminded, while perusing these VIC
lent and vindictive sentiments, that, at this mo-
mcnt, movement is also making in the South
to induce Christian ministers to lend their in
fiuence to the other fanaticism Of Know-Noth-
ingism"
And thus this hireling and reckless scribbler,
essays to connect the Aboiionists of the North
with the American party of the South, and to
prejudice the cause of Americanism with the
conservative portion of the American people!
We have repeatedly exhibited undeniable
proofs, that the American party is the only
safe and reliable party for the preservation of
the union Of the States, and the rights of the
States, and every man who will examine our
creed, our platform, and our prospectus, will
perceive at glance, that the charge Of Adolf
tionism against our party is as false in fact, as
II is base in conception
No man knows better than the Wash
ington Union, that the Abolition presses
throughout the country, including as well the
National Era, published in this city, as the
New York Tribune, published by Philosopher
Greeley, all denounce the American party, in
unison nth their kindred presses, the Union
and Pcnnsylyanian, and that in truth, the
whole Abolition pack, have Joined the admin
istration in their assaults upon our principles
Our creed, our principles, our action, all are
opposed to that wild and reckless spirit of Alb
olitionism, which would overthrow the land.
marks of State rights and rend the Union in
twain in search Of fancied good.
We may appeal with entire and perfect con-
fidence, not only to our platform Of principles,
kept standing on the first page of the Ameri-
can Organ, for examination and criticism, but
to the editorials we have written, and the re-
pcated assurances we have given, that there is
no Abolitionism in our order. Distinctly an
nouncing in our prospectus, the following as a
portion Of our political creed, we incorporated
the same sentiment in our platform Of princi-
pies, and we mean to stand upon this ground
without faltering, to wit:
"No essay or editorial shall ever appear in the
American Organ the tendency of which would be
60 prejudice the rights wound the feelings Of the
Ia r. ,xftl, O. A. IA,
cnce of this paper shall extend, the constitutional
rights Of each, and of all the States, shall be main
tanned We hold that the institution Of siarery be-
longs exclusively 10 those States IN which crisis.
Each Of the States for itself has The sole and err
elusive right TO determine chether or not slavery
shall erisf within its borders. We shall therefore
oppose all agitation Of The question Of siarery,
either in Congress 0, out Of H."
In strict conformity with the above declara-
ton Of our political creed, will be found one of
the planks in our platform Of principles, to
wit
" 7sSth We shall maintain and defend the con
siitution as il stands the Union as Il exists and
the rights Of the States, without diminution as
guaranteed thereby: opposing at all times, and TO
the extent Of our ability and influence, all who
may assail them, or either Of them"
With these sentiments thus expressed, and
daily published TO the country, what language
could we apply, which would be sufficiently
emphatic, to that INSCRIPTIONS calumniator
who, day after day, and in every form Of Ian
guage OF which he is master, proclaims to the
South, that the Know Nothings arc allied to
the Aboltionists
But listen now to the syren song Of this
hackneyed political demagoguc! How smooth
" and beautifully he discourses
"Let US hope, however, that the public mind
when II calmly contcmpates the doctrines set forth
by these infatuated men-when IL fully realizes the
fearful crusade to which they are lending their
aid--the revolutionary doctrines, social and polit
cal which they seek to enforce-and the wild
phrensy that mpels them in their efforts to destroy
the fabric Of our civil libcrties-et us hope that
the public mind, reused 10 sense Of all these
things, will react against the danger, correct the
downward tendency Of affairs, and lit up that pure
banner OF religious liberty and Of political equality
which il now tramplcd IN the dust by a combine
ton offanatics and demsgogues. We will answer
for the Democratic party In this crisis Defeated,
but not dismaycd, u il hss lost some Of It's mem
bers II has not lost is indomitablo will its un-
diving faith, ts Sublime courage, and that patient
spirit which waits for the hour when the people
win once more rally around Its principles and it's
men,
And so the editor Of the Washington Union
win answer for the Democratic party in this
crisis, win he? win he please answer for that
overwhelming Democratic party who were ON
nipotcnt in 1852, and arc now disorganizcd and
scattered and broken into fragmontse
Will he, who has done more than any other