The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-02-16
RELATIONS OF PARTIES TO THE MOVEMENT

The common remark here is, that should Nj
| Douglas and the Administration succeed in
nr1sr. n nrg party; fftad at once. VIII
combine all the elements Of opposition, 1hd
come into power in 1856. 1t has been rumor
ed that the delay of the Massachusetts, Legis-
lature to pass resolves against the measure, is
in part dictated by a desire to encourage its
supporters in the prosecution of their scheme.
under the impression that the free States are
hesitating and divided and the Wing Party
can then take advantage of their miscalcula-
ton.
With the exception of few of what are
styled the "Silver Grays,' the entire Wing
Party at the North is against the Bill, and
there will be great unanmity among its Rep
resentatives in Congress on the subject OF
these, not few, calculating upon the future
cooperation of Southern Wings, are disposed to
make their opposition little offensive to slave
holders as possible The speech of Mr. Ever
EFT, for example, decided as it was in its oppo-
sition to the Bill, was qualified in it's closing
portion by professions of profound devotion to
the Union, and deprecatory remarks concern
ing the agitation of the subject Of Slavery
This, it seems to us, was all out of time and
place.
1t is not for those who have never assailed
the Union, to be protesting their love for it,
not for those who have mover enlisted in the
agitation of the subject of Slavery, to depre-
cate it, not for those who are guiltless of pro.
voking the present excitement to be excusing
themselves for sharing in it, not for those who
are acting on the defensive, to apologize for
their conduct. Let the Union take care of
ITSELF and let US have done with the stereotyped
cant about the evils of agitation.
1t was hoped by Northern Wings, that South
ern Wing Senator'S, by an honorable opposi.
ton to the measure, might furnish ground for
a reunion of the two sections of the Wing
party under the banner of Nationality. They
will hardly be gratfed in this respect. The
only two speeches in the Senate from the
South against the measure have come from
Wing members. Mr.. Dixon has proclaimed
the most ultra sentiments on the subject Of
Slavery, Mr. jones, OF Tennessee, has given ut
terance to views incompatible with any thing
like cordial cooperation between the two Sec
tons of the party.
Messrs. Badger and Clayton are reputed
hostile to the bill; bat it is quite doubtful
whether they will have the Courage to take
an open position. At all events neither can
be considered an exponent of Southern Wing
sentiment.
The truth is, the Slavcholding Representa-
tives and Senator'S in Congress will act and vote
with single eye to the advancement of the
Slave Interest. Let the opponents of that In
terest rely upon themselves The North has a
majority in Congress; let it use the power with
which Its numerical superiority invests it. to
protect its rights, and the cause of Freedom
| and Free Labor, leaving Party organizations to
take care of themselves if they can. Let US
have no nice calculations, with view to fraud
ulent combinations Of antagonistic interests in
Presidential Struggle. The non-slavebolders,
united, can fill the Presidential Chair, without
| the help OF any portion of the Shareholders, and
| iet them once do 1T, and it will give lesson on
true Nationality which will hardly need to be
| repeated. Such an act alone would redeem
both North and South from the domination of
an overbearing OHgarchy, and extinguish the
Servility on which it has become fat and nso-
lent The two old party organizations have
outlived the issues which gave them birth. and
the chief purpose they now answer is to Dc.
bauch the free sentiment of the North, and To
bring both sections, by the trickcry of oonven.
tons and platforms into subjugation to the
Class Interest of Slavery. They are enemies to
Freedom, to Personal Independence to De