The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-07-12
ITO

radical and thorough work, was practical inf
deity TO the cause and the crisis. 1t was sport
ing with humanity, and giving to the winds a
glorious victory for the right, when it was almost
within our grasp. 1t was in fact, stabbing Free
dom in Its vtals, and closing up an artery In the
Slave Power, madly opened by its own hand
which threatened to bleed it TO death.
Mr. Chairman, the view have been enforcing
is confirmed by the general course of political
action against Slavery. i refer, more particu-
larly to the party styling itself the Free Democ-
racy certainly would not speak of this organ
ization in any terms Of undue disparagement.
have myself been recognised as a member of
1t, and have trusted IN it as an instrumentality
likely TO accomplish great good for the Ant-Sla-
very cause Its existence was a necessity, spring
ing out of the pro-ssvery servity of the old par
ties, and it promised to destroy them, as indis
pensabe preliminary to any effective help for
the slave. In this needed work of destruction
il has been successful to a very considerable ex-
tent, and so far is entitled to general gratitude.
1t has done excellent service in forcing the Sla-
very question into general discussion, and send
ing 70 our National Legislature some noble rep
resentatives Of its principles, who gave it an in
huence it could not otherwise have expected.
The controlling purpose of the party at its form
alton was the divorce of the Federal Govern
ment from Slavery, by keeping it actually and
perpetnally on the side of Freedom; and its
members pledged themselves to fight on. and
fight ever, till triumphant victory should re-
ward their exertions. Young, vigorous, and
without claiming to be healthy" it went forth
for season upon its mission, striking terror
into the Slave Power and its abettors, kindling
the fires of agitation, drawing to its standard
the better sort Of men in the old organizations,
and wanting only faith. patience, and fidelity
to insure IL glorious triumph, in the fullness of
time appointed BY Providence for all great NOR
al achievements.
But, sir, where now is the Free Democracy?
Is it dead, or only sleeping? Has its mission
been abruptly terminated or has it yet future?
Perhaps it still lives, but it has. know, receiv-
ed some terrible shocks from the combined as
saults of Anti ebraskaism and Know Nothing
ism; and if a competent political doctor were
called in, he would probably find the patient in
a state of great prostration, accompanied by a
painful difficulty OF breathing. Sir, why is this?
How comes it TO pass that men who had braved
the prescription of the old parties and dared TO
stand for the right for six or seven years. should
so suddenly grow weary, and exhibit such eager
for new associations? Whence came the
strange infatuation that has invested fitsionism
with such charms, despoling many of the lead
ers of the Independent Democracy of their cour-
age and strength, and causing its rank and file
to skulk like towards into the dark camp of
Know Nothingism, and identify their fortunes
with the mongrel and invisible hordes that rally
under its banner? And why should the Free
Democracy die with the Wing and Democratic
parties? 1t was delightful, admit to see the
end of these organizations approaching, after
they had so long numbered the ground and ours
ed the cause of Freedom, and can readily par
don some acts Of indiscretion, even some degree
of Anti Slavery delirium, in the near prospect
of an event so very prophetic of the "good time
coming" But our singular misfortune was that
instead of borrowing new life from the death of
these parties, instead of absorbing their vitality
as it ebbed away, and thus reinvigoratng our
organization by appropriating it to our own life,
we determined that our time to die had come
also. Certainly Why should not Free-Soilers
" follow in the footsteps of their illustrious pre-
decessors?"
To say that would fight on, and fight
ever" was mere phianthropical flourish
Was not our organization got up purely to wor-
ry and bedevii the old ones TO death, and not
permanent movement, designed to displace
them? Why should we struggle against the
immense odds that encounter us, in the vain
endeavor to bring the people up to our high
ground? Why not come down from our exclu-
siveness, freely affiliate with them, and adapt
our action to their slower movement? Why |
not strike our coors, dsband our little army, |
go with the multitude, and commit the result
to Providence and the politicians? Such ap-
peared to be the logic of hundreds and thou
sands of Free Democrats: and the result is. the
disruption and dispersion of the party at a time
when both principle and policy demand its con-
tinued existence. | beg here not TO be misun-
derstood. | have never had any idolatrous at
tachment for this party. have regarded it |
only as a means; and if have been devoted to |
1t, it WAS because of my devotion TO the great |
end which | believed 1t fitted to accomplish / |
have never been silly as to look upon the |
Free Democracy as : a great tree, on which all |
the birds of the air must come and sit, or "a |
great net, in which all the fish of the sea must |
be caught" When Freedom shall have her |
final triumph, it will probably not be under any |
single name, or in honor of any exclusive lead |
ership, but by such gradual diffusion of Anti |
Slavery truth as shall at length pervade the |
minds and sway the hearts of the people of these |
States
TO RE CONCLUDED IN OUR NEXT.