The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-06-22
Letter from Hon. I. Washburn Jr.

the following frank and manly letter, adj
dressed 10 the editor ofthe Bangor Journal
BY Hon. Israel Washburn Jr., member Of
Congress elect from the Penobscot District.
The editor OF the Bangor Journal affected
TO deny that Mr.. Washburn is in favor Of
the Republican movement. Mr.. Washburn
ji'speaks for HIMSELF in language that can
!. Sot be misunderstood.
III ORoso, June 1l,h, 1855.
NO the Editors Of The Bangor Journal -
am not unwilling TO "speak for myself"
and define my position in reference 10 the
political organization in our State.
have never acted, and consistently with
my principles, I never can &C; with the
party which supports The Administration Of
franklin PIerce-which opposes the repeal
of so much Of The Nebraska act as opens
The vast country OF Kansas and Nebraska to
slavery-which acquiesces in whatever the
slave.hoding oligarchy has demanded hlh.
er,o, and will acquiesce in whatever il may
demand hereafter. Nor can act with any
party, or any body Of men, who sympa,hize
in opinion and feeling with this Democratic
Administration party, or will cooperate with
il or lend il aid and comfort, thereby Ger.
iainly, though il may be indirectly and I'M
neutrality-suspicious. the slave pow.
er in The Republic. cannot cooperate
with any party, or body Of men, whose &C.
ton in all essential particulars, must be
controlled by The Wing Know.No,hings OF
tho South. aud the Silver Grey Know
No,hings OF New York. In the South more
than ihree.fourlhs OF the old wings, includ.
ing nearly all tho leading men, have LEFT
their former organization and joined an
other; so tina, there is no Wing party South.
And in New YORK the party heretofore
claiming 10 be straight Wing" is, almost
10 man, pro-slavery and Know Nothing.
I cannot act with them, nor with those whose
course, however intended, tends 10 their
advantage, and therefore 10 the prejudice OF
the cause oil Freedom. prefer 10 keep the
company OF such men as Seward, Wade,
fessenden, Benson, who, true 10 the cause
Of humanity and loyal 10 the Constitution Of
their country, will never be diverted from
the path Of duty and principle, by extrane-
Gus and less important questions, ill.timed
aid mischievious as they may consider
them.
Regarding the Savery-extension question
az the leading. vital, controlling question
OF the time, I must act with those, who,
while thinking as think in respect TO It
will by the action and organization which
they propose, most surely accomplish The
purpose for which every earnest and SIN
cere opponent Of the slavery propaganda
viii labor.
The Journal agrees With me, that this
great consideration resisting the designs oil
the ,yrannical Slave oligarchy) now over.
rides all the old party divisions and efe,e
party organizations Of the country. They
must gire tosy toh-,hey already have given
way. MEN WHO THINK ALIKE MUST ACT
TOGETHER W
Upon this question, paramount 10 all
others now pending, the Journal is in
agreement with The Free-soilers, the Barn.
burner Democrats, as well as with nine
,enlhs Of The Wings, in this State. Why
should il not act with them! Why don't
III The question il admits, is first and
greatest. Why should the Journal oppose
these men necessarily not 10 say bitterly,
even though !, may disagree with them, or
many OF them, as I doubtless do, on other
aud subordinate questions.
Coalitions between men OF similar views
are natural and easy and jus,itiablc, because
founded on principle, but between those OF
opposite opinions, they can hardly be oloer'
wise than without, principle or Justification.
Why should the Journal seem TO favor lhe
pro slavery administration party in prefer.
ence 10 wha, is known as the RePuhllcan
organization!
In Tuesdays issue the editor insima.es
,ha, he would sooner 60 into convention
with the old line Democracy than WIN
those who have felt obliged TO abandon !ha'
party on account OF is pro-slavery tenden.
cies. must beg leave 10 say that IN TINS
respcc, concur more nearly with the views
Of he late Hon. Lulher Severance, express
adj IN A letter which had the honor 10 TO
ce;ys from him and which l have before
me AZ follows: III must say that IN The
division OF the Democratic party my sym
pa:hies are altogether with the Bamburners.
would much sooner coalesce win 'nem
Than With tho Wild Cats"
The Journal thinks differently. j am
sorry for il; q good cause loses its effective