The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-10-11
NO. 458.
AFFAIRS IN NEW YORK.
ALBANY, Oct. 5, 1855.

ALBANY, Oct 8, 1855.
To the Editor o. the National Era:
You have already noticed the proceedings of
The Republican Convention in this State, and,
as is pre-eminently your right, have rejoiced
over the successful Inauguration of Republi-
can party in the Empire State. Few papers
can show so clear record as the National
Era. Whatever may be the result of our cleo
t;on this fall, the fact will remain, that a party
for Freedom has been established. Against
Ibis partv are arrayed the Hards," the " Softs,"
the "Hindoos," and the "Straight Wings"
WIN there be union of these factions? Prob
aby not, this fall, although the recent Pro-Sla-
very speech of Governor Seymour is thought to
Indicate a fusion of the Hards and Softs on a
Hard platform. This may not happen until
$50 Then the Pro-Slavery Hindoos and
fo;on.saying Wings will fuse, naturally, with
tbe Hards and hardened Softs, while those who
love Freedom will unite with the Republicans.
g in the result, We shall have but two parties
Pro.Slayery and Republican. To this complex
i'm must we come at last--if not III 1856, then
in 1860. Possibly, the public mind is not yet
efficiently awakened, to see the necessity of
subordnating all other questions to the great
;ssue. but it must be, or we must remain SUBJ
iect TO the Slave Power.
| believe the people are beginning, at least,
IN realize so much. The great obstacle to COM
,lets success in this State, as in others, con-
iinues to be the Know Nothings. 1t is not to
be disguised that, with the aid of the money
contributed by the Silver Gray nabobs, they
sill manage to keep up their organizations,
and to draw into their lodges many frivolous
naonle. The terms OF admission have been so
modified as to permit anybody to join without
a tee or even an oath. / know of no way to
p coanteract this, except to flood every town and
school district with newspapers and tracts,
showing up the true and only issue. Such pa
nars as the National Era and Facts for the
PoyIs can DO more service in this way than
our local papers, which are often liable to the
pe.ty preiudices of old party associations. The
transition state of parties, from Wing to Re-
nublican. has thrown our Executive party
,au,zation into confusion, so that to some ex-
tent there is no one to see that these things are
attended 10. unless it be the people themselves.
MN they neglect it? With proper exertions
IN disseminating knowledge on the subject at
;ssue we shall certainly triumph. The think
ine. reading portion of the people are tolera-
IIy aroused. What we need now is, to reach
those OF our neighbors who have not yet been
enlightened. We can do this by pressing upon
them such newspapers, tracts, and publications,
as We deem suited to their wants and condition.
The Hindoos, with their trashy newspapers and
iufammatory publications of various kinds, are
everywhere occupying the ground. / therefore
hope YOU will continue and urge upon your
readers the great necessity of extending the
circulation of papers devoted to Freedom, and
the wide distribution of speeches and pamph-
let's discussing the subject. b.