The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-08-23
PARTIES IN MASSACHUSETTS,.

half of Freedom. The resolutions of their
State Convention approved every doctrine in
relation to Slavery that Free-Soilers could de-
mand, and, if we mistake not, set forth no
principle distinctively Wing. Having come up
to the demands of the Anti-Slavery sentiment
OF the State, and recognised the Slavery Cues
ton as the paramount, if not sole issue, the
leaders of the party invited the cooperation of
the Anti-Slavery voters of all parties. The in
vitation was scornfully rejected. " You choose
to maintain your Wing organization-you in
tend to make this question minister to your
power-you coolly ask us to enroll ourselves
under your lead, to become members of your
party. This we will not do. We will unite
with you, as fellow-citizens, as equals, on a
common platform, in a common organization,
but will not aid you in keeping up the Wing
party This was the answer returned by 6" the
Ant-Slavery voters of all parties" and to pun
ISL Wing bigotry and assumption, they said, to
break up the exclusive, domineering Wing Par
ty, they rushed head over heels into Know
Nothingism, Frustrated Whigery, and gave to
the Know Nothing Party sweeping triumph.
Searcelya year has gone by, and the demand
for a common, equal union, on the single issue
of Slavery, is again pressed, and with more
reason than ever. This time it is made, not
upon the Wing, but the Know Nothing Party
Surely it has learned lesson from the ruin of its
stubborn predecessor. Surely the Anti Slavery
members of the new Party will not attempt the
same policy which they resented so fercely,
punished so unrelentingy, in the old Party.
Let us see. We copy from the 7ri6une's cor
respondence:
MASSACHUSETTS KNOW NOTHINGS
SPRINGFIELD, august 8, 1855.
"The State Council of Know Nothings as
sembed here to-day. The Hon. j. w. Foster,
the President, in the chair. A new Constitu- |
ton and Platform of Principles reported |
by Lieutenant Governor Brown, Chairman of |
the Committee appointed at the last quarterly |
meeting The Platform is the same as that /
adopted by the Know Something's at Cleveland |
and Worcester with the exception of the clause |
against foreigners holding office until they have
been in the country twenty-one years. The |
proscriptye clause was opposed by Henry Will
son, and Francis Brinley of Boston, and others,
but the Native feeling prevailed After an ex-
citing debate, the following resolutions in favor
Of fusion were adopted:
"Resoloed That the position of the present |
National Administration is one of open, undis-
guised hostility to all principles we profess, and |
therefore we believe that the exigencies of the /
times demand that all men who agree in these |
principles should be united in their political /
action, and we will cheerfully cooperate with /
all the opponents of our common enemy.
"ReSolUed, That a Committee of two men,
bers from each county be appointed, who, in
connection with any similar Committees, already
appointed or to be appointed, who may agree
in their principles, shall at some suitable time
call Convention, to be composed Of delegates
elected by the people of Massachusetts, in pri-
mary meetings assembled, for the purpose of
nominating candidates to be supported by this
party in the coming election.
"The following named gentlemen were ap-
pointed Committee, agreeably to the last res
olution:
Suffolk. E. Farewell, S. G. Nash Mid
dlesex-A. II. Nelson, A. b. Ely; Essex
Timothy Davis, ohm Batchelder; Worcester
Alexander De Witt, w. S. Thurston; Frank
lin-A. l.. Tyler, w. w. Russell Hampshire
w. b. Dickinson, H. G. Knight; Hampden-
L. l.. Chapman, J. w. Foster; Berkshire
Daniel Upton, Thomas Colt; Bristol-H. b.
Wheelright, j. Z. Merrill Norfolk. Z. Car
penter, q. II. Ransom Plymouth-R. b. Hall,
F. z. Rowland; Barnstable-J. p. johnson,
L. G. Kelley; Dukes and Nantucket-Charles
j. Barnes, j. Barney, Justin Lawrence.
"All secrecy was abolished, and every legal
voter by signing the Constitution becomes a
member of the party without further ceremony.
Hon j. W. Foster has been elected Chairman |
of the above-named Committee. 1t is said that |
n majority of the Committee is opposed to
FUSION"
The Wing Convention, if we remember
Alright, made the question of Slavery the sole
issue, and invited cooperation on that. This
Know Nothing Convention, the Anti-Slavery
members of which were Disguised with this
Wing assumption of precedence, makes Nativ-
ism, as well as Slavery, an issue, and then
coolly invites the People of the Commonwealth
to unite with the Know Nothings in support of
their principles! Wing presumption and intol-
erance never went so far as this.
The plain meaning of the Know Nothing
organization is, ave will keep up our ma
chinery; we will not disband we are in power,
and will remain so public sentiment demands
the abrogation of the rule of secrecy, and the
restoration of the Missouri Compromise, and
so much we will concede; but our principles
III iciatioh W ioreiSheIS anu NdtHouCS, we VIII |
not surrender, or even waive. Fusion or union
We are in favor of, but it must be on our plat
form, in support of our principles" Such big
otry is worse than all the Wing and Democratic
bigotry the Anti Slavery Party has had to con-
tend with. 1t is said that General Wilson re-
sisted this exclusive policy, and urged an hon
est, equal fusion. He recognises the Slavery
Question as paramount, and knows that, If |
other issues be mired Nth Il, there can be no
union Of the masses Of the free States. He is
in the minority, but will probably continue in
the Order, in the hope that he, and those who
agree with him, may yet bring it to adopt
more liberal policy. But ought the real Anti
Slavery voters Of Massachusetts, to wait the re-
suit of doubtful experiment? Is there not
the same spirit abroad now, that broke in
pieces the Wing Party last fall? Having got
rid OF one tyrant, do the People intend to sub
init to more oppressive and INSCRIPTIONS one |
Are there not enough men of character and |
common sense in the State, to make an appeal |
to the People, for an honest, open union, in
utter disregard of all existing parties, on the |
issues involved in the Slavery Question alone,
ignoring Nativism, Sectarianism, and all other |
isms that dare to thrust themselves between |
Freedom and Slavery?
Oh, for clear eye, honest heart, faith in |
Truth, and resolute purpose!
Fznme House, White Mountains.