The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-11-15
THE LATE ELECTIONS.


sence from the city. Its general positions are
sound, and ably maintained, but its incidental
in relation to the impotency of
Know Nothingism, are not in accordance with
the views we have constantly presented in the
Era. Would 10 Heaven that the miserable de-
fusion had exploded" But, our readers will
recollect how continually we have insisted that
the one obstacle to an effective union of the
free States On the Slavery Issue, was this bigot-
ted organization. Twelve months ago we took
this ground, and were made to suffer for it. We
called upon Anti-Savery men to resist an Or
der, founded upon principles, and pursuing an
object, directly at war with their whole scheme
of policy; and we invoked the Anti-Slavery
press to expose its true character.
For time, we were left almost alone and
unsupported, and when reaction began to take
place, we we're coolly told by those who had
contributed nothing to this reaction, that we
had put ourselves to unnecessary trouble-had
been righteous over much-that Know Moth
ingism was mere humbug, and, as they had
foreseen, would explode spontaneously, &C., &c.
Since then, if we might believe these wise peo-
pie, the organization has been constantly ex-
ploding, until nothing is left of it.
1t is time to tell the Truth and meet its re-
sponsibilities. When the Know Nothing Con-
vention at Philadelphia divided, we did not an.
tcpate the extinction OF the Order III =: sae Free
States. We Supposed supposed that in States where the
= iu-Slavery sentiment was dominant, the Coun-
ellis would concede something to it for the sake
of making it tributary to their power; and in
States where it was not, they would remain in
full association with the National Order, so that
the result would be, schism, but not extinction.
In fact, we apprehended that it would be more
difficult than ever for AntiSlavery men to deal
with it. Were we right? What has been the
history of the Order in the Free States, from the
time Of the national schism? 1t may all be
up in one sentence--unintermitin
effort to perpetuate ITSELF either by making the
Anh Slarery sentiment tributary, or by break
ing II dozen.
This has been its history, and in full view of
the fact, how any real friend of Freedom could
for moment tolerate it, or hesitate to denounce
it as the great obstacle to an effective Anti.Sla-
very union, passes our comprehension.
See how utterly it has paralyzed' the Anti
Nebraska movement in Indiana and New Jer-
sey, and the almost inextricable embarrassments
in which it has involved it in Pennsylvania
See how uncertain it renders the state of things
in Iowa! And what "A spectacle it has made
Of the great States Of New York and Massachu-
setts Had the Anti-Nebraska Movement, in
other words, the Anti Slavery Movement, been
Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts, would
have been Republican, in fact and in name, and
there could have been no doubt as to their po-
sition in 1856 Can any one now tell us where
they will then stand? Your Union-savng
Know NOthngism has conquered some of
them, given the rest to Nebraska Democracy,
arrayed them all, nominally, against the Re-
publican Party, the only Party organized to
represent and carry out the Sentiment of Free
dom, in opposition to the policy of Slavery
Aye-Know Nothingism has
divided and continues to divide the Free States,
and, unless its power be broken before next
November, it will lay them PROSTATE again at
the feet of the Slave Power.
How can any Anti Slavery man in Massachu-
sets look at the following, and not blush for
the countenance he may have given to an or
ganization, which this year has just as effectu-
ally placed Massachusetts against the great
Freedom Movement, as the Wing and Demo-
cratic Parties used to do?
"Returns from all the towns in the State, ex-
cept Nahant, foot
Gardner 5l,73O Beach 1891
Rockwell 36,777 Valley If, 468
Gardeners plurality over Rockwell 1883
Majority against Gardner 34,506
"The Senate will probably stand: Know
Nothings, %; Republicans, 8; Democrats, 2;
and the House nearly as follows: Know Moth
ings, 1873; Republicans, 80; Wings and Liber-
ais, 81 Democrats, 80"
Do our readers recollect the explanation as
signed last year, by our AntiSlavery friends,
for the astounding revolution in Massachusetts?
Z" Oh, it was frolic. The masses had got sick
of the old parties, and were determined to have
a good time of it. Know Nothingism they did
not believe in, but they saw it could be turned
to account in Draining the old parties, and so
they used it. 1t was merely temporary ex-
element. They meant nothing more by it.
Trust them-everything will come out right
next year will be on the Repub-
lican platform" &c.
When, doubling all this, we undertook to re-
monstrate, to discuss the doctrines of the new
Order, to protest against its policy, assuming
that the masses who supported it, really were
misled, we were sneered at by some denounced
by others, kindly admonished by others that we
were only beating the air, for "nobody believed
in it." And so, instead Of meeting the mis-
chievous delusion face to face, graphing with
it, laboring to rescue the People from its grasp,
they were silent, let it have free course and the
result to-day is-the triumph Of Gadnerism
orcr Republicanisn,, by fifteen thousand cotes
1t is disagreeabe to dwell upon these things,
but shall we not learn wisdom by the things
that we have suffered? Had the Anti Slavery
men Of Massachusetts, last year, when the Re-
publican Party was organized, adhered to their
own honest, long-triod, open policy, of laboring
for noble end by right means, they would this
year have carried the State. How long before
men will learn that temporary success, obtain
ed at the expense of sound principle, is ultimate
honesty, whatever it may cost now,
always pays in the long run.
We have spoken plainly of the Past-let us
speak hopefully of the Future. Some of our
friends are disappointed. We are encouraged
We knew that the hour must come for the
elimination Of the Anti-Slavery Sentiment from
other organizations, and it's embodiment in an