The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1855-08-11
THE AMERICAN PARTY.

>idcration wlic', could not be claimed with
propricty If coming from any other source.
The article throws little light upon the his
tory OF the order. mentions the causes which
ted TO mobilization of its ritual. and finally
appeals to every man who believes in its pub
li>hed principles to JOIN in their support
The writer rcr,inen'lv asks why does not
such course commend itself to every sens-
bic man ? why acknowledging the correct
ness of our doctrines, is there any hesitation
about adopting the measure proposed for
their realization
We answer briefly:
!. Becausa there is no neccsyi'v for such an
organization.
TO the principal doctrines of the American
Party as promulgated in its Burlington plat
form we express no dissent. That platform
is manly in tone, and decided upon the great
question now paramount to every other. But
that it has any features so widely different
from those of TIE Republican platform adopt
Ell at Burlington few days earlier, as to
create necessity for new Party to carry
them into effect. we can by no means conccde
1t Party should incorporate into lis creed
any such truiSm As this: two and two are
four; or this water flows down ll,-wouId
1t constitute any ground for the organization
of Party whose chief strength should he cx-
pended in their demonstration Such tLincs
are conceded by conrnon consent. SO, for
the most part in this case. There is no o,,-
position in any quarter, that carries with it
more than show OF strength to a sinnlc prin-
clpIr Of this new order 1t is the easiest mat
tel IN Tie world to cmbo1y in living institu-
tons every thing Necessary to carry into
complete effect every just and reasonable
demand it can make in our own State there
remains scarcely any thing to be done in or
der to make our laws all that the most Jealous
hnow- Nothing can possibly desire What
then can be done What is the object aimed
az? Where is the idea for foundation? II
the work Is already performed, what remains I
tor InrY to accomplish VIXEN A!ExA~-
DER has conquered TIE whole world, where
can he find another!
If, then, there be found in The American
Tartv no vital principle to breathe into the
organization the breath of lie. from whenc,
can the ll'e-gving spirit be obtained? Far
ties are sometimes like automators, showed
by springs, and wheels and cunrinr iv devils
ed clock work, that will 90 when wonnd M
and o"lg then. Bat such parties are .l.on.-
lived. Tie best machinery is continually
allng in pieces. and 10 tinker can rcr,ir il
There is no virtue in cog wheels nor rulcy<.
| hey only serve to diminish :hc real rowrr
he principle will prove true in politics 4,
IS well a. IN mechanics that. the more >mr,,. Z
he machine the greater The effect produced
" gwen power. Now TO seek to acconri;,h
y secret and perfectly organized Party. L
av'ng all The clap-trap and parade q. MANY
tiled officers and established formulas. that '
'hlch Is easily enough secure! without surh
'achIn"rv, is entirely useless not to saw alb
urd. TIE strength which might have been "
mlloycd IN fghtin" the real battles which,
'oncr or later must be fought, is wasted in :
luxotc charge upon flock Of sheep
III. Because, on the contrary, we believe it
) irausht with danger to the cause Of Free
ON.
There Is no use in conccalinc the fact that. Il
nlv Ivy the mos, strenuous cxcrtou>. and ,b..
io>t perfect UnanimItv, can the North hope
, prevent the farther enrroachmcn'> nf >la- e
crv. Whatever NAV be- said o.. the dancer "
c>u!tng from sectiona! Parties. there is even
rratcr danger to be aiprcnlc! from >i,l|. i
artv Il that Party he a Southern one. and 81
lects with no opposition. The North has '
cen |'''c" into an attitude OF opposition to "
le schemes Of ;hc South Ii now IT m,:n
'lnS determined stand, comedies none az y
r'2h's, ard is not frightened out of il, SEN ''
IS 10y the bu.bcar Of ,li>union, the n>olcncc IL
The Slave Power will be cllcctualv check !"
l. and the Republic can 90 on its way re- '"
"c'ng But to accomplish this there u,,>t tn
union. We must work to,.,I,,r ,,l as
w together unless openly Every move nc
ent which leaves its impress upon the age ;"
Is in it something which reaches tho soh..r -
augment. WHICH goes down deep into mems ''''
nvictIon OF right and wrong. The insn;- les
ton necessary TO produce combined move DC
INT IS not caught from crccds, ceremonies. NC
r ctictc tr''ISm>. but from living, all per- co
ding truth which comes home 10 cvor,. bo
!" CONSCIOUSNESS. And then there needs :
mar>halling for the conflict. The rrcrui,- Of
sergeant Is Supcrnumcry then. There ON
ne" spontaneous movement in the same sha
'ect'on' and this undi>cipiincd mass will crs
e'p over every cflrte, yet well-aprointcd lite,
ny that may oppose its progress Now. is on
$ The case with the American Party? Has sha
organization power to reach more than rcs
ntcd number: Is not its machinery nor mn
ny useless, If not actually an encum- Of I
Incc?
age
= Such, we conceive, arc some &C tho ~
sons why the opponents to the extension
Slavery cannot bc rallied under the ban
OF the American PARTY If any numL.o. pro
pie desire to work in such an organization iron
the same cause for which we labor in an. 'or'
NV ,, bo