New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-07
POLITICAL ASPECTS.

When the NOrtht IN hhON-Nothih-e "tut Jul
of the Council at Philadelphia they did so for
the reason distinctly and manfully expressed,
that they held the question OF Slavery Exten-
sion 10 be paramount TO ali others. They then
proclaimed themselves to be far more earnestly
devoted to the work of securing the liberties of
tle country against the inroads and domination
of the negro Oligarchy than to the distinctive
purposes Of Natlyism. Indeed, though they
did not then explicitly renounce Natiyism, thy
stated its doctrine in their address to the people
in form so mild and guarded that ii would re-
qure very sharp and searching criticism to
find fault with it. In thus going out Of that
Council they gave to the Free States positive
pledge that they should henceforth subordinate
all questions concerning foreigners, Catholic
influence and what not, to the truly vital aud
imminent question whether the Federal
Government is to be administered IN the
interest Of Slavery, or in that of Freedom
They might still be Natives, just as other
men are still Wings or still Democrats, as
far as their political theory is concerned; but
nevertheless they now announced in the most
most public and solemn manner that they were
ready and resolved to postpone their Nativsm,
Just as others postpone the Wing or the Demo
cratic measures TO which they are attached, in
order to cooperate for the superior and more
urgent duty Of saving the nation from the dan
gers that attend it with such dark and gloomy
menace. For, ifthey were not animated by such
a resolution, why did the Northern delegates
90 out of the National Council All that was
required of them by that body was to subordi-
nate their convictions against Slavery Exten-
sion to Natiyism; this they Indignantly and
ealantly refused, and the burst OF universal
applause which followed their act showed that
its generous and manly character had touched
tie public heart as politicians rarely have the
fortune to touch it.
1t was this aspect Of the Northern secession
from the Philadelphia Council which filled us
with hope and admiration. 1t looked like the be-
ginning of a united movement of all opposed to
the extension of Slavery, comprehensive
enough and powerful enough to settle that ques-
ton and secure the freedom of the country for
ever But we must say that the course of the
Know-Nothings since that memorable demon
stration has not added much to our hopes. 1t is
true that in Connecticut and Massachusetts, they
have in terms approved the action of the
seeding delegates TO Philadelphia; but at
the same time they have scrupulously abb
stained from following the lead of those dele
gates. They still declare their hotility
to Slavery extension TO be inhexble
but they avoid the way to give it the most eff
fcient manifestation. They persist in keeping
up the progr ANNE and the machinery of Natiy
ism and of secrecy; and though they invite 9TH
ers to cooperate with them in resisting the de-
sgns of the Black Power, they make the invita-
ton as Natives, and not on the broad ground Of
merging all minor differences for a common end
Of the highest moment and most instant and
pressing necessity. Thus, instead Of really and
thoI oughly approving the conduct of their dele
gates at Philadelphia, they substantially stamp
it with reputation. They still proclaim that
in their view Natiyism is Of more account than
Republicanism, and that they will engage in no
combination in which the policy, means, and
appliances Of the Know Nothing lodges shall
not hold the ruling place.
Such is the appearance Of affairs in these
States to-day. We are aware that various ex-
plantations are given of the result in Massachu-
sets, and that the blame is thrown on the aver
sion of the leaders of the old parties to engage
in combination where the members of the new
party must play so large a part. But why
should old party leaders be consulted at ali
What right have these few gentlemen to stand
in the way of great popular movement Why
not at once appeal to the masses, unfurl the
Republican banner and rally round it the earnest
and disinterested millions of voters who desire
no Offices for themselves, but only to roll back
the arrogant aggressOns Of Slavery Why not
boldly and frankly carry out the policy of the
feeders and their address, This
is TO be done in Indiana where a Republican
State Convention is called for the 18th inst;
why should not Massachusetts, and Connecticut
occupy an equally noble position