Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1855-11-02
Letter from Francis II. Dewey, ESQ.

ne principles OF the Republican party, as sc
forth in the platform, the Address and Resolu
tons adopted by the Republican State Conve1
ton, on the 10Th of September, meet my eordis
appreciation.
believe that the time has come, when it is tn
duty of all friends Of Liberty to unite for tn
maintenance OF Freedom, of Northern rights, an
for a hnal and effective resistance to the aggres
sions of the slaveholding power Too long ha
the North suffered its attention to be attracted
by minor issues; Southern influences and tn
threat of the dissolution of the Union have in.
duced our Northern legislators to succumb to tn
continued aggreSsions Of the South, until for
bearauee has ceased to be virtue. In the South
there is perfect union; under the banner of "sla
very" all unite-they have no party attachments
no National or State measures that are not re-
garded as seeondary all these they ever sacrifice
on the altar OF slavery, whenever it will promote
its permanency or extension. This union of the
South, and the want of union at the North, has
given a predOminating influence in our national
councils to that section of our country, which is
the inferior of the North in all respects but, in
the fertility of the soil, which Others cultivate fol
them until they have begun to regard their S,.
premGcy and oar S'sbSeruieacy, as a matter OF
course and almost of right.
For several years, the continued triumph of the
South In carrying its measures has caused the re-
flecting men of the North of all parties to con-
slider the propriety of uniting for the purpose of
eHectual resistance to their encroachments; but
the natural reluctance to sever party ties and the
associations of years. has seemed to postpone this
union. But the unwarrantabe violation of all
former compacts, and the atrocious measures that
they have recently resorted to, for the purpose of
forcing the of slavery upon our free terri
tories, have finally aroused the sleeping North to
the peril of the hour, and the necessity of snae-
dtGte and earnest action. We need to teach the
| South that we know the rights of Northern free
| men, and knowing, will maintain them.
The only question for our consideration, then
is, how shall we best accomplish the object we
have at heart! Is there any of the old political
| organizations with whom we can unite, and who
will, with us, make the question of Freedom the
| paramount issue? for there are advantages in
| taking an old organization, if true one can be
found.
No anti-slayery Democrat, if one still remains
IN the Democratic party, can ask us to consider
for a moment the question of union with them !;
for as a national party they are the supporters
and encouragers of all the aggressions of the
South; but for their aid the South never could
have succeeded, and they regard the continuation
OF their connection with Southern Democrats as
more important than all other objects.
In former years, large portion of the citizens
OF Worcester county have been members of the
wing party; they have fought manfullv in be.
half OF freedom, in many contest with the DEM
ocrailc party, and gladly would those who have
lett the wing ranks return and bring with them
new recruits, if the Wing party was able and a0H-
lilg to carry forward this great movement. But
as national party it has ceased to exist, and, as
State organization, there are but slight, if any
differences in their policy and that of the Demo-
Gratis. And the leaders of the present remnant
of the once proud and honored Wing party, in.
stead OF advancing, as the exigency of the case
requires, with additional zeal in the cause of
freedom, are receding from the position they for
merly occupied.
a In 1854, they resolved that, the repeated and
long continued aggressions of the advocates of
slavery extension have awakened the people of
Massachusetts, and of the Free States TO the
fact, that their end and aim is political sllprema
cy, and that the naked question of Liberia and
Sfa0ery as the controlling principle of the Cor
e119nae'a, IS presented to the American people.
This year, the Wing resolutions contain no
such manly statement, but Mr.. Hillard, who first
rose TO support the resolutions that were adoDted
sald--" believe the State of Massachusetts, up-
on the record, is too ant-slavery, that the anti
slavery zeal has passed over the barriers of the
Constitution, and needs rather to be checked than
to be encouraged; and that the dangers from the
aggressive spirit of the South have been greatly
exaggerated"
1t is apparent, then, that we cannot by uniting
with those who still act under the Wing banner
accomplish our objects, and that those who have.
TIL TINS year, acted with that party as favoring
freedom, cannot consistently longer continue to
do so, unless they propose to yield their primer
pies Tor an empty name In truth, the Democrat
&c and Wing parties have been for several years
drawing nearer together the old issues that sen.
grated them exist no longer. and their leaders.
that they were secure in the allegiance of the
members, from their attachment to the old party
names, have not kept pace with the mass of the
people.
1t was this feeling of the people, this desire to
break loose from the thraldom of politicians and
to lepudiate names, that no longer marked dis
ttctiUe principles that gave RISE the last year, to
the great uprising of the masses. and the com.
plete overthrow of all former parties. A new
party must necessarily have some rail- ying point,
and the evils they apprehended from the rapid in
crease of our foreign immigration, were what this
new party sought to avert; many undoubtedly
Joined the organization because they believed that
| important notifications should be made of our
naturalization laws; others Joined from curiosity
| attracted by the novelty and secrecy of the new
| org nization, while many thousands Joined mere
ly for the purpose of aiding thereby in breaking
! up the old parties.
The American party would therefore, seem, at
first glance, as the party with which it would have
| been desirable to unite, it had the advantage
| OF thorough organization last year and num-
bered among its supporters large majority of the
| voters OF this State; but, while we find large
/ portion of them, who composed that party last
year, including the most intelligent and inhuen-
! tlal members, now willing 10 make the question OF
| Freedom paramount one we find the American
party, as at present constituted, composed of men
who make that simply secondary matter, and
WIZ pIoleSS It's principles merely 10 retain the OF
hces to which they have been elevated, and to up.
hold the man t0ho eIeUated them. there is then
but one course left-that is the organization of
new party. which shall make the question O.
Freedom the paramount issue; party which
shall unite all lovers of Free Institutions anC
under whose broad banner may gather all, Of
whatever party or name they may have been here,
tofore
believe that the Republican organization will
unite all rejecting Democrats, whose interests dc
not bind them to the national organization all
those of the Wing party who believe in, and de-
sire to carry out the views expressed in relation tc
Slavery, at the Wing Conventions of former years
and assuredly those of the American party who
last year, burst off the shackles of party alleg
ance can in no other way accomplish SO much
good, as by joining in this great movement
which requires, at the hand of no one, any yield
ing of other opinions on State or National con
Germs
1t has been objected to the Republican party
that it is sectional party but this cannot bC
true, for Freedom is national, and Slavery is sec
tional 1t was so regarded by the trainers of oui
Constitution, who all sought TO enlarge the Dor
ders OF Freedom, and TO restrict Slavery and We
are, now, but seeking for the attainment of thai
for which, in the early history OF our Republic
men from all sections Of our country united i
is further objected, that the Republicans have ne
State policy. that, if the party succeeds, it will
elevate to Office Of different views, upon the
various subjects OF interest to our own citizens
Bat it seems to me that this, so far from being an
evil, that sounder legislation and more permanent
measures will be the result that will follow from
free discussion, and fair representation of those
heretofore connected with different partes-
While unity with the Republican party requires
Welding of nrincinlpg mr. viewa nm o4hor n, "a