Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1855-09-11
Politics and Principles.

Politics and Principles.
1t is but few years since nearly the whole
body polite was comprised within two great po-
htical organizations, whose opinions, on what is
now the great question of the day, although sim
liar to those now entertained by the constituent
elements thereof. under different party names,
we're then held in strict subordination to party
discipline, or to fancied existence of some 9TH
or, and more dominant issue. To go back only
one decade of years, to the time of the agitation
Of the annexation Of Texas, and the Mexican
war, we lind pretty general unaninity OF senti-
ment prevailing among all parties in the Free
States, before party drill had drowned the free
impulses of the people. All the Free States in
the Union passed Wilmot Proviso resolutions
through their Legislatures. pending the war with
Mexico, instTucting their delegates in Congress
20 take that very ground which the great Repub-
hcan movement of the country is now organized
to carry out.
Then, it was urged, the tariff and the national
bank were questions Of more transcendent impor-
ance, and were allowed to swallow up what is
now confessed, on all hands, to be the paramount
issue, although even then they avowed opinions
on that matter identical with what are now en-
braced in the Republican platform. 1t was urged
by mem5ers adherng to the old political organi-
cations, respectively, " make use of our party,
which comes the nearest to your idea, 70 carry
out your principles, which we acknowledge 70 be
correct You can effect more practically in this
way, than by going through with the vast labor Of
getting up new party"
Such reasoning might seem sound, then, when
there did appear to be difference Of opinion be-
tween the two old parties on the ancient issues
alluded to but since the final settlement Of those
questions, beyond any prospect OF further agita-
ton, who is there that can see the least reason
for the existence of the old lines Of demarcation
between political bodies? The bank is dead; the
tariff is settled. Internal improvements are main
y local natter to certain extent all are in IA
vor of them, according to the section where they
apply even President Pierce would favor them,
if the slave power only willed Who is so
weak as not to see that these old differences, APP
piled to things now, are all sham ; Who thinks
of mentioning them, as of any import, at this
time:
Seeing, then, the almost entire unanimity
ssvtres susssFaesro4f,
which is manifested at the deeease of all 0 is
sues, what is there to stand in the way, at the
present time, of general union, north of Mason
Dixon's line, on the same principles they have
always entertained, against party which is en-
trenched behind the slave power for its sole sup
port, and which is to look exclusively to the slave
States for its strength the polls; Surely there
can be nothing fanatical in our action Whether
We appeal to Jefferson and the Fathers. or to the
recent action of all political organizations, we
find the same response of approval Of our course.
Let US see.
Both Of the late party organizations, in old
Massachusetts, have laid down platforms, precise
" such as it is the object of the new movement
to carry into practice. Whether we refer to the
comprehensive resolutions of Benjamin F. Hal
lett, adopted unanimously by the Democratic
State Convention of lS49, so often quoted now
for the edifcatiOn of the present race of "Dem-
ocratic" politicians, or to the oft-repeated reso-
buttons of the Wings, in State council and in the
Legislature convened, we alike see the very same
doctrines promulgated, which il is the design Of
the Republican party to carry out.
What, then, is TO hinder in this crisis. uni.
versal cooperation of the people, irrespective of
all past issuesscr organizations, in favor Of gen
eral movement for Freedom and Right and JUS
tice, against that organized Despotism which
now sways the country. under the auspices of
Pierce Douglas AtchisoD, & Company?