The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-06-28
NO. 443.

old Liberty Men.
Now. we do not believe that any true Anti
Slavery man who has hitherto belonged to the
Secret Order intends or desires to entrap Anti
Slavery men opposed to it. We believe sin.
cere desire exists among the true friends Of
Freedom in Ohio to unite, independently Of
existing parties, on the Anti-Slavery issue,
without any covert purpose. Let the dele
cate Convention of the 18th of July demon
strate this policy to the satisfaction of candid,
intelligent men, and all will go well-but, we
must add, the placing of the name of Mr.. Chase
at the head of Know Nothing ticket will be
no such demonstration, but mere contrivance
to prevent rupture. Not even his reputation
couH redeem a ticket bearing the names of
men known as the advocates of Oath-bound,
Secret Political Associations, and of Discrimi-
nation in political rights on account of birth
or religion. You might as well attempt to
yoke together Pro-Slavery and Anti-Slavery.
We dictate to nobody, but, as an independent
man, we speak to independent men. They will
think and act for themselves, and act honestly.
We will do the same.
Rsg~ Since the foregoing was written, we
have received the Ashtabula Sentinel of the
DIST. containing the following clear and salts
factory article from the pen of Mr.. Giddings.
This uneauivocal and bold statement in regard
to the proper course of State policy, shows be-
vond all doubt what is his position in regard
to National policy:
THE CASE STATED.
In July last men of various political parties
in our State left their former associations,
and. uniting under the name of Republicans.
pledged themselves to oppose the PRESIDENT
policy Of sustaining Slavery by Federal legisla-
ton. To carry out their views, they nominated
candidates for State offices. Men who after
wards Joined the new order called Know Moth
ings. assisted in nominating those candidates,
and were in honor and honesty bound to vote
for them.
Soon after the election, however, they left the
Republican platform and organization, formed
new political party, and, entirely ignoring the
issue to which the Republicans stood pledged,
adopted entirely different platform of prin-
ciples In their State Council, held on the
5lst Of October, they determined to nominate
candidates of their own, and by resolution
declared that in such cases "the true test of
membership was TO rOte an unscratched ticket !
No party ever assumed more exclusive posi-
ton. The whole record of that Council, now
before US, shows a full determination to put
down all other parties. AT the April election,
they nominated candidates wherever they be-
Ie,ei themselves to possess numbers sufficient
to elect them, and exerted their influence to
defeat every Republican nominated in opposi-
ton to them.
They proposed several candidates for Pres
dent, not one of whom was ever heard to utter
a sentiment in favor Of Freedom. They became
far more active in the political field than either
q. the other parties. 1t became perfectly mani
fest, that the Republican party was destined to
a total overthrow, if the Know Nothings pos
sessed the power to effect that object 1t is
row as plain the sun in the heavens that
either the Know Nothings or the Republicans
must disband; both cannot be victorious.
Bat the April elections resulted disastrously
for their cause, and they became less confident
IhesPresident of the State Council, in a letter
addressed to the " Executive Council" dated
the p Of June, assures that body that they
have not numbers sufficient to carry our next
election, unless they can draD other parties
10 Hemt"
10 effect that object, he advised corrections
Of their platform, so as to admit naturalized cit
native Americans, and "to express their opin-
ION on all questions now agitating the nation"
Three months previously, the same officer, in a
pastoral letter to the subordinate lodges, had
stigmatized the naturalized Germans as Red
Reppbttcdns, not less dangerous than the advo-
Gates Of absoutSm." He also denounced the
agitation OF the slave question with as much
dsunctness as Stephen A. Douglas had ever
done IN the Senate Of the United States. These
letters are now before us. From them, the OBJ
Jeet OF the proposed amendments is clearly
shown.
The State Council met at Cleveland on the
u instant to nominate candidates for State
o"ceS' put postponed that duty until August,
10 ascertain how tar they "can draW other par
"t5 s, mem, by their change of principles
ihey published their amended platform, and
Their object appears to have been at least in
part effected; for some editors were struck with
It's Importance, declaring that all difficulties to
union between Know Nothings and Republi.
cans had been removed
We look upon the matter in different LIGHT.
Inc whole proceedings of the Know Nothings.
IN abandoning the Republican issue, in substi-
'luhg one excluding those naturalzed citizens
VINO voted with us In October; their organizing
themselves INTO secret political party, with
Tue expectation of controlling our State cleo
u " and the election of President; their hos
ae attitude to the Republican party at the
AAPTI elections; their change of fundamental
uOe'rlneS on meeting with repulse; their
Ps'ponement of nominations until August, in
0FlrT to see "how far they can draw Republi
,1ls TO them all their turnings, twistings, and
Conversations, we look upon as puerile as pu-
N.'anlmous. We feel restrained from character
,1'A5 'hem IN appropriate language, for the rea-
q Nar. I'll
united with the Order from pure motives have
g'r'! Withdrawn from it, and desire to see it
~ oP mo oblivion as soon and quietly as posi-
10 those men we have no objection. We
asa no man to what party he has heretofore be-
iion9e1' Our interrogatory is, do you nOso be-
~ any opposing political association? If
answers IN the affirmative we respect him
To.a. man. but repudiate his politics. if in the
6"e, we welcome him to our ranks.
DN VIII men, who still adhere to the ne,o or
| .''O"' come into our Convention, and
Ear .aig IN our deliberations? We think no hon.
II - Imam man. pledged to distinct opposing par
Douu' to support its interests, to vote for its
-' PI' wall disguise his true character.
VII 80. SI@h Republicans nominate candidates
who I In adhere to an opposing party ?-men
nr;.oI iAre abandoned the issue on which we
and - a i@St year, who have faced to the right
new, .le leil, and to the right about with this
aha 9aliiizaton and still hold on TO HP We
gaT5 aOa The Pittsburgh platform, which we re-
aLa as the most perfect political creed ever pub
,s-Il; and the "Free Democratic party. which
70 i,e'e more correct than any other, in order
ca. '1 1'S In the Republican Organization; and
ne, NJ NJ consistently with selfrespect, vote for
tlen,.IIeo lett the Republican party, and arrayed
psrtrS y against us, to adhere to an opposing
ieri6g We look upon any vote given to an ad-
N tI. NOV othing as a vote in effect to build
B1, party and put down the Republicans.