Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-12-12

suaded to stand upon that plank zoe had no
objection zoe were content. Now will the In
teligencer re-assert that we have been neon
sistent? EA
We repeat that we opposed the " 18th sec
ton" in committee, we prevented Its adop-
ton for some time, the committee being about
equally divided upon tive yielded reluc-
tant assent in committee to let il 60 before the
Council distinctly announcing our purpose to
offer substitute for il in the Council, I'VE Of
fered that substitute, which was overslaughed
by the previous question, I'VE finally voted for
the "12tli section" under assurances from
Northern delegates that New York and Penn.
sylvania would stand upon Il, THEY repudi-
ated 1t, and now, forsooth, we are "iaconsist-
ent," when we refuse to unite with Southern
Ultraism in making this 18th plank "test Of
eligibility to office ~ If this be "inconsist-
ency," make the most Of it! We will not
now, or hereafter, unite with any man or set
of men, to erea.e any such "test. J" In this
resolve we shall not be shaken.
We acknowledge the binding force upon our
selves Of the resolves Of the National Council
in which we participated, and we shall faith
fully discharge our individual duty in obeying
them. I'VE do this in opposing agitation on
the slavery issues in Congress. We have OPP
posed agitation from our first entrance into po-
litical life to the present time, and we shall do
so to its termination, butaour right hand shall
cease to guide pen rather than indite single
sentence which calls upon our brethren, in any
section of the country, to surrender their long
cherished opinions of the constitutional pow
ers Of Congress over the Territories, as con-
dition Of their being recognised as members Of
National American party We protest
against such fanatical tyranny.
We may now again repeat our solemn con
viction that no party can embrace tho North
and the South, that does not emphatically ex-
clude the question of slavery from its platform.
Agreement between these two sections upon the
policy or the justice Of African slavery is utter
ly impracticable. The South has a right to
ask, and the North is bound to grant the obser-
vance and maintenance Of the Constitutional
rights of those States, in which slavery exists.
Upon all other questions growing out Of the
subject Of slavery, there must be liberation
Of opinion in the American party, and what
ever differences may exist thereon, must be
adjusted either in spirit offraternity, by con-
cession and compromise, or be referred to the
proper judicial tribunals of the land.
We will not advocate the claims of one sec
ton of the country, to the prejudice of the
other, but we contend for the rights of each
and all the States for the preservation of
harmony, and the perpetuity of the Union. To
effect these objects, we maintain that the sue
cess of the American party is Indispensable
Yet this party cannot succeed, as a National
party, unless sectionalism be avoided. And it
is our undisguised opinion, that sectionalism
would die, if Southern fire-eaters would cease
their continual din. The American party at
the North can easily hold hnaticism in check,
in that section, if the people of the South
will frown down fanaticism at home! Irri-
tation creates irritation Let Southern ul-
traists be frowned into silence, by the intelli-
gent people of the South, and Northern ultra
ism win perish for want of sustenance. The
country will not have peace or quiet till both
sections Of the Union, shall dis,ountenance and
send into retirement those red-mouthed agita-
tors, who faint the political atmosphere with
their pestiferous breath.