The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-10-25
THE NATIONAL ERA: WASHINGTON, D. c. OCTOBER 25 1855

ciples, its purposes, and its objects-in fear of
God, and not of man-like that army, which
Cromwell led, that established the Common
wealth of England. This is the organization
we want
1t is best to take an existing organization
that answers to these conditions, if we can find
one; if we cannot find one such, we must create
one. Let US try existing parties by this test.
Shall we take the Know Nothing party, or the
American party, as it now more ambitiously
names itself? 1t is purely sectional organiza
ton. In the privileged States, it scouts the
principle of the equality of man, and justifes
the unbounded claims of the privileged class.
In the unprivieged States it stiles its voice and
suppresses your own free speech, lest it may
be overheard beyond the Potomac. In the
privileged States, it justi6es all the wrongs
committed against you. In the unprivileged
States, it affects to condemn them, but protests
that they shall not be redressed. speak not
now of its false and prevaricating rituals, its
unlawful and unchristian oaths, its clandestine
councils and its dark conspiracies, its mobs
and its murders, prescribing and Staying men
for their conscience sake and for the sake of
their nativity. / have spoken of them often
enough and freely enough heretofore. l say
now only that all these equally unfit this So
called American party for any national duty,
and qualify it to be, what it has thus far been,
an auxiliary Swiss corps, engaging the friends
of Freedom in premature skirmishes at one
time, and decoying them into ambushes prepared
by their enemies at another. Let it pass by.
Shall we unite ourselves to the Democratic
party? If so, to which section or faction? The
Hards, who are so stern in defending the ag-
gressions of the privileged class, and in rebu-
king the Administration through whose agency
they are committed? or the Softs, that protest
against these aggressons, while they sustain
and invigorate that Administration? Shall we
suppose the Democratic party reunited and
consolidated? What is it, then, but the same
party which has led in the commission of all
these aggressons, save one, and which urged,
counseiled, and co-operated in that, and claims
exclusively the political benefits resulting from
it2 Let the Democratic party pass.
Shall we report ourselves the Wing party :?
Where is it? Gentle shehperd, tell me where?
-Four years ago, it was strong and vigorous
party, honorable for energy, noble achievements,
and still more for noble enterprises. In 1852
it was united and consolidated, and moved by
panic and fears to emulate the Democratic par
ty in its practced subscrviency to the privileged
class, and it yielded in spite of your remon-
strances and mine. The privileged class, who
had debauched ii, abandoned it, because they
knew that it could not vie with its rival in the
humiiating service it profered them and now
there is neither Wing party nor Wing south of
the Potomac.
How is it in the unprivileged States Out
of New York, the lovers of Freedom, Disguised
with its prostitution, forsook it, and marched into
any and every other organization. We have
maintained it here and in its purity until the aid
ers and abettors of the privileged classes, in re-
taliation, have wounded it on all sides, and it
is now manitestly no longer able to maintain
and carry forward, alone and unaided, the great
revolution that it inaugurated. he is unfit for
a statesman, although he may be a patriot, who
will cling even to an honored and faithful as
ISOLATION, when it is reduced so low in strength
and numbers as to be entirely Intellectual amid
the contests of great parties by which republics
are saved. Any party, when reduced so low,
must ultimately dwindle and dwarf into mere
faction. Let, then, the Wing party pass. 1t
committed grievous fault, and grievousy
hath it answered it. Let it march out of the
field, therefore, with all the honors.
The principles of true Democrats and the
principles of true Wings remain throughout all
changes of parties and of men, and, so far as
they are sound, they are necessarily the same
Such true Democrats and true Wings are now
mon to both. Neither of these two classes can
or ought to insist on forcing defective organ
ization, with stained banner, upon the other
The Republican organization has sagaciousy
seen this, and magnanimously laid new
sound, and liberal platform, broad enough for
both classes to stand upon. Its principles are
equal and exact justice; its speech open, dec-
ded, and frank. Its banner is uniform in former
battles, and unsullied by past errors. That is
the party for us. do not know that it will al
ways, or even long, preserve its courage, its
moderation, and its consistency. If it shall do
So it will rescue and save the country. If it.
too, shall become unfaithful, as all preceding
parties have done, it will, without sorrow or re-
greet on my part, perish as they are perishing,
and will give place to another truer and better
one.
So long as the Republican party shall be firm
and faithful to the Constitution, the Union, and
the Rights of Man, L shall serve it, with the
reservation of that personal independence which
is my brthright, but at the same time with the
zeal and devotion that patriotism allows and
enjoins. l do not know, and personally do
not greatly CARE that it shall work out its great
ends this year, or the next, or in my lifetime ;
because j know that those ends are ultimately
sure, and that time and trial are the elements
which make all great reformations sure and
lasting. l have not thus far lived for personal
ends or temporary fame, and shall not begin
so late to live or labor for them. have hoped
that l might leave my country somewhat wor-
thier of lofty destiny, and the rights of human
nature somewhat safer. A reasonable ambi
ton must always be satisfied with sincere and
practical endesvors. If, among those who shall
come after US, there shall be any curious in
quirer who shall fall upon name so obscure as
mine, he shall be obliged to confess that, how
ever unsuccessfully labored for generous ends,
yet that nevertheless was ever faithful, ever
hopeful.