Washington sentinel., 1855-02-14
ABOLITIONIsM AND KNOW-NOTHING-
IsM-THE aAMERICAN ORGAN


to break down the new secret political order in
the South, and to lose to it the confidence Of
those who have an interest in southern institu-
tions, we should have despaired Of writing an
article better adapted to that end than the
article of the american Organ of yesterday, in
reply to an editorial in our issue Of Friday
last
We had expressed surprise that journal
claiming to respect the rights of the States and
the guarantees Of the Constitution should de-
fend the election to the United States Senate,
by the order of which it processes to be the
organ, of gentleman who, before and since
his election, has most emphatcally proclaimed
antslavery sentiments. In reply to our strict
ures, the Organ publishes a long and labored
response in which it plunges deeper in the mud
than it was before in the mire
We would not wilfully misrepresent, and in
stating the points made by the Organ, we win
endeavor to be cautious and correct. To these
points we invite the earnest attention of our
readers.
The Organ renews its protestalions of 10y
atty to the Constitution and the rights of the
States, and again denies all alliance between
Abolitionism and Know-nothingsm. 1t says:
I'VE are now, have ever been, and ever will
be, opposed TO an infringement of the rights Of
the several States, as guaranteed by the Con-
stitution, or reserved to the States in the Con-
sttution."
Again, it says:
ave have said in our prospectus, and here
repeat that slavery belongs exclusively to those
States in which it exists. We have said there,
and say again, we are opposed to the agitation
of slavery. In repeating these opinions, we do
not discuss the merits or dement's Of slavery.
We leave that question where the Constitution
places it.
Once more says the organ:
The American party ignores the question
u siaeay. II forms no part Of our purposes
as a party, 10 interfere ,cith this question. We
leave it where the States have placed il. We
make Il no criterion IN the councils of our par
ty. Senator Wilson's indiridual opinions on
the question Of slarery, ike his opinions all
Other questions rhich are OUTSIDE of our plat
form Of principles, belong to himself He agrees
with our party on all the questions of reform
which we have united to discuss and enforce,
and which he was elected to accomplish.
The Democratic party and the Wing party
have deemed the institutions Of the Southern
States of sufficient Importance to make for
them special plank in their platforms. The
Democratic party, true 10 the Constitution,
has always made pledges so clear and 80 plain
that he who runs may read The pledges Of
the Wings have been less clear, and always ad.
mitted Of double Interpretation. They gave
ID, :, L.. a..
happened that their platforms, like the ancient
oracles, admitted Of two interpretations. Yet
they were honest enough to hold that no plat
form should be made by their national conven.
tons that did not contain something that at
least squinted at Southern protection.
But in these evil days new oracle has
sprung up and aspires TO be the great and the
peculiar oracle. Ii proclains one new princi-
pie, but ignores all old principles. 1t says
that Foreigners aud Catholics must be pro-
scribed but it is silent about Banks, Tariffs,
and Distribution. 1t is silent about that great
question that overshadows all other questions
Slavery. 1t is dumb oracle. But the Organ
may here attempt to trip us up, for it has
vaguely said that it is in favor Of the protec-
ton Of State Rights, and that slavery belongs
exclusively to those States in which it exists. /"
Not one pord does IL say THAT we discovery
about the Territories.
But here IS a party with one new principle,
that, to use the language ofthe Organ, "ignoyes
the question Of slarery.' The meaning of this
expression is simply this" come to our tender
embraces abolitionists and freesoilers. Wo-
mans rights men, and agrarians. Come to US
all the isms. Your foul antecedents are all
wiped out. Your sins that we're as scarlet are
washed as white as snow. We viii ask you no
questions. You may still be, as you have
always been, in favor Of abolishing slavery in
the States, Of abolshing slavery in the District
Of Columbia, Of excluding slavery from the Ter
ritories, and Of stealing slaves and carrying
them off by means Of underground railroads
but al. that is nothing Join us, and we viii
ask no questions. You are 6t associates for
~. We viii clasp your hands in fraternal
greeting. We will embrace you with all the
f,ryor, and all the tenderness Of first and a
fresh love. You ARE Our EQUALS.
Such is the meaning Of "ignoring the ques
ton Of slavery" or the terms have no meaning
at all. Now is the South prepared to endorse
such language, and to follow such advice? is
the /" american Organ,' the organ Of southern
sentiment on this subjectH Will the South
waive the whole question Of its peculiar rights
and institutions, and trust to the insane fury
Of an abolition mob /?
Says the american Oryan-we will zig
more The question Of slavery Let US see
the practical effect Of this. We will sup
pore that all the Abolitionists join the Know
notbiugs They are asked no questions, for i
j. rule that so they against foreigners and
Catholics, their sentiments on other subjects