The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-12-06
Proprietor National Era, Washington, ID. {
A POLITICAL SURvEY-HOw UNION is TO
BE EFFECTED.

Nothing Party. Let US reason together.
The Michigan Free Democrat, paper which
we had supposed to be Republican,, week Oh
two since remarked
" Now that the Know Nothing party has be-
come so extensively dominant in the country,
1t is a matter of some solicitude whether or not
it will be spoiled by its unexpected success.
One thing is certain, that party so large and
influential as this, and controlling much the
affairs of Government, will be speedily compel
led to avOw its policy in the most distinct man
ner"
This is remarkable language for Repubti-
can journal. 1t assumes, first, that the Know
Nothing Party is pure and sound secondly,
that it has not yet avowed its policy Must we
say that this is pretty fair illustration Of the
tactics of large portion of the old Free Soil
Press Speaking of the differences Of opinion
among the Know Nothings in the several States,
the same paper says:
"These differences will now undoubtedly
either be reconciled, or some one of the meas
ures of antagonistic policy will be taken up,
and become of universal acceptance, and then
we shall be enabled clearly to see Just what the
cause of Freedom has TO expect at its hands"
This is the attitude of patient waiting on the
footsteps Of Know Nothingism, maintained by
many old Anti-Slavery men. They have been
laboring under the strange halucination that
this Secret Order was the chosen instrument of
Heaven for the redemption of the nation; while
others, not so deplorably misled, still would
tamper with it, under the delusion that it can
Ia ,,ada ,,l,;mataly ouhoarv;ant m tho A nt;
Slavery Cause. The Cleveland Leadey for ex-
ample, disappointed at the result Of the Mas
sachusetts election, "apprehends the great issue
of Slavery and Freedom was too little attended
30, while the question of Know Nothingism at
tracted too much notice. That the Know Moth
ings of Massachusetts are Anti-Slavery in their
feelings, will not be denied that they would
have united with the Republicans on an Anti
Slavery platform, is, We think, equally certain.
Know Nothingism, as at first organized, is vir-
tually dead in the North; but there is enough
of il still left to be formidable when it is driven
into hostile attitude. we think that the
Republicans of Massachusetts erred in this.
though their platform, taken as a whole, was
infinitely better than any other that was pre-
scented in that Stale
The Republicans of Massachusetts, intending
to be Republicans, and nothing else vent into
the election upon the Slavery issue Alone Sc
lecting standardbearer representing that
issue alone. They were wise and honest. The
Know Nothipgs Of Massachusetts, with all their
Anti-Slavery professions, would not take that
ground, for the simple reason that they deter
mined to carry the State and administer It's
Government on Know Nothing principles. If
the Leader approve o. his policy, then he may
blame the Republicans of Massachusetts,, If not,
he must Justify them, and utterly condemn the
Know Nothing5
The same paper, just before the Cincinnati
Know Nothing Convention, could hardly believe
that an attempt at reunion with the National
Order wonld prevail.
"There are not few who predict that it will
set up barrier against a union with the Ma
tional Republican party, and that it will make
overtures of reconciliation to the Southern wing
of the Order. Much as we, in this section of
the State, may feel disposed to ridicule such an
idea, there can be no doubt that at least por-
don of the delegates to that Convention will be
favorable to it. II Is barely possible that re-
union may be formed"
Some Of us in this region thought differently !;
and we have not been disappointed by the res
olution of the Convention to meet February
18th in Philadelphia, for the purpose of making
terms with the National Council that will as.
semble on the pa of tne same month. The
Leader, by way of warning to the Convention,
remarked If the Northern wing of the Ordeg
sIould prove false to Freedom, no earthly pow
er can Save It from destructionl" "n"-
eff" f"-and this While the ears of its edit
ors are ringing with the shouts of northern
and goSthern Know Nothings over the defeat
| of Repubhcanis,a in Massachusetts, and New
York
is there Republican Party or notY Are
ITS principles aud policy right or not? VIII
| the Leader, Free Democrat, and other papers
that are constantly counting the Know Nothing
Party, and hoping so much from it. tell US? j
| they answer in the affirmative, what have thew
to do with any other Party, but to oppose it,
They are committing precisely the same errol
that some friends of Freedom used to commit
| by expecting iha Wing organization to do til,
work of the Independent Democratic Party
The Know Nothing Order, in seeking to &c
clude persons from OiGce on account OF brit
and religion, and to protract the period of nat
uralizatiOn to twenty-one years, forfeits a.
claim to the support of true Repubiieanisul
pLose organization, if it has any characteristic
views men IS equal, abhors caste, holds sacre
the rights Of conscience, and can respect n
civil distinctions founded upon race or creed
The two organizations are intrinsically irreccr
cilable.
ii is time for the Republican Party and Press
in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan, to assume an
maintain distinct, independent position. w
know that the great body Of the Party in thos
States, and large portion of its Press, ar
SOUND 70 the core-but there are some who ar
disposed TO pay fast and loose-whether from
lack ei common sense o. honesty, remains t
be seen.
lime presses-the Presidential canvass !;
about opening-parties must take their tru,
positions, and settle their policies. The Renpb
hcans must understand each other, and be on,
IN heart and action. If they would comman,
respect and win success, they must be true t,