Eastern times., 1855-03-15
Double Game of the Known othings on
the Slavery Question Grand Mogul

The double game policy of the know-noth-
ings on the slavery question is becoming every
day more apparent. The whole abolition ell
ement of the New England States having
been swallowed up by the secret cabal, the de-
sign of the cunning leaders, the grand mogul
and vice moguls, is to hold on to abolitionism
as long as possible so as TO be able to WELD
its power on their side in the Presidential
election. Hence we see what staunch aboli-
tionists they are in this State-the Bangor
know-nothings calling abolition one of the
corner stones of the order, and the political
creed put forth at the State Convention for the
nomination of Morrill, having nothing more
nor less than the old abolition creed. Wiley,
| of the Portland Inquirer, comes into the ar
rangement, but acknowledges he sees danger
ahead and Mr.. Cram cannot understand how
the know nothing wheel is to be turned inside
the abolition wheel. In the mean time the Sc
cret oath is being applied. holding members 10
90 with the majority in all cases-and bye and
bye Southern man or Northern disciple of
Mr.. Fillmore's policy will be sprung upon
the country as the know-nothing candidate for
President. Then abolitionism may get out of
the predicament if it can. If anybody doubts
this, just take view of the twistings and
turnings of RIG. LINCOLN, Esq, of Hallowell,
who is Grand Secretary of the Grand Council,
and ofIiciates as 60 Grand Mogul by universal
consent. Here we copy a letter of Mr.. Lin
coin which appeared in the Tri-WeekIy Age,
in which he defines his position at the mo-
ment =
Mr. EDITOR In your paper of the Goth
inst find an article signed enquirer" " in
which am accused of attending the Grand
Council lately held in Cincinnati, and then and
there pledged myself 10 ignore the slarery quss-
ton altogether. in my present political course.
Permit me TO say that have made no such
pledge, at Cincinnati or elsewhere, by word or
act, directly or indirectly l have never al
tended meeting of any description at Cincin-
natl, where the question of slavery was intro
duced or discussed. Ifm7hermore pledge my
self hereafter, as hare alicays cldedrored to do
hitherto, ncUer 10 act politically iCith any organ
i-ation or party that should ignore the sldrtry
question, while it lies as it now does, wRhin
reach of political action.
RODNEY G. LINCOLN.
Notice MIR. l.. says he has " never attended
meeting of any description in Cincinnati
where the subject Of sIduay tcas introduced or
discussed" Also he pledges himself hereaf
er never to act with political party that
ignores the sldrery question ''-declaring that
he has ALWAYS endeavored never to act thus.
Now for the sake of showing the sharp corners
this know-nothing leader is capable of turning
we publish the following from the Thrice
Weekly Age of March 10th =
Ma. EDIToR A meeting of the order
known under the name of " know-nothings,"
composed of persons from different paris Of
the State, was held at Darby Hall in this city,
on the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 81. The
principal subject of discussion was the slavery
question, and among the speakers was Mr.
Rodney G. Lincoln of Hallowell, ,0ho adriSed
against any agitation of the question in the
knoU-nothing organization. He said that
while attending the meeting of the Grand
Council at Cincinnati, last fall, the subject of
slavery ,cdS mater Of consideration among
the members of the order assembled on that oc-
cdson, IN the public houses, and the general ex-
preston and advice was against any agitation
of the subject in the organizations of tho or
der that ne concurred in this view, and coin
cided with the general expression of the broth
erhood at that time; and although an anti
slavery man of twenty years standing, he was
willing, for the good OF the order, TO smother
his feelings upon that subject, and adrise that it
be kept out of their Councils, and not be allowed
al L. e L.
great objects of the organization. | give the
words OF Mr.. L. very nearly. Mr.. l.. was
followed BY gentleman from abroad, who ex-
pressed the hope that different policy would
prevail. and that the delegates from the north
in the Grand Council, for the nomination of a
candidate for President, would insist upon
making opposition 10 slavery leading ele-
meut in their action, and that such a course,
if successfully persisted in, would insure the
election of their candidate by two million ma
lorty 1t is supposed, from the great in1u-
tnce of Mr.. Lincoln among the know-nothings,
that his views were sustained
These facts will appear little queer, to say
the least, in connection with the note of Mr.. L.
published in your paper of 22d February. /
leave with you my name, if Mr.. Lincoln de-
sires TO know your informant. How | came
in possession of the f1cts here communicated,
is no matter, but | was
NEVER A kNow-NoTHING.
If the above does not exhil1t the sharpest
corners in political manGuvering, we are no
Judge A man that can right-about-face in
this style, is capable of the talcst specimens of
political summersels or the grandest feats in
ground and lofty tumbling First, he " never
attended meeting in Cincinnati where the
subject Of slavery was introduced discussed y
Now he says the subject of slavery ,cds mat
ter Of consideration among the members of the
order at CincinUat. Second, he never pledged
himself at Cincinnati or elsewhere 10 ignore
the slauery question. Now he says he is will
ling to smother his feelings upon the subject,
and advise that it be kept out of their Coun-
cils.
But 10 trace the political course of this gen.
tlemaR further, (and his present position as the
leader of political party is a sufficient excuse
for going into the matter,) let US look back
and see if Mr.. Lincon's statement is true that
he has hitherto endcaUored acper 10 act with a
political party where the slavery question was
ignored.
Mr.. Lincoln was delegate from Maine to