The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-06-07

and by comparing the views of many, the truth
NAV best be reached
No Republican organization has been formed
in this State. No Republican convention larger
than county convention has been held within
my knowledge in the State. The Wing Conyen-
ton of February, 1854, which nominated Grimes
for Governor, denounced the Nebraska bill. then
before Congress; and, after severe struggle.
refused to pass a resolution endorsing the Com.
promise Of 1850. 1t also nominated for Secre-
tary of State, Simon Waters, whose name had
been put forward by the Free Democracy for
the Office of Governor. Waters was present at
this Convention, and allowed his friends to rep.
resent him as a good Wing, &C.; but he after
wards declined to run as candidate for Score
tary. A State Convention of the Free Democ-
racy was called at Charlottesville in March, to
consider the state of affairs; and that Conven-
ton resolved to support Grimes for Governor.
There were two vacancies then in the Wing
ticket and this Convention filled them with the
names of Free-Soilers. In the August election
following, the Independent Democracy, TO a
man, supported Grimes; and by their help, and
by their help alone, he was elected; and as far
as | know, they are satisfied with his course.
Grimes is noble mani feel proud of him.
Such men as Grimes and Chase go far to redeem
my native State from the reproach of giving
birth to Webster and Cass. The two names the
Free-Soilers put forward to supply the vacancies
In the Wing ticket received a meagre vote
some 4,000-the mass of the Wings ignoring
them entirely. Well, the Legislature met-one
house Administration, the other Opposition. A
majority of members of joint convention voted
for James Harlan for United States Senator,
but the Senate administration had adjourned
that day before the hour for Joint convention,
and the validity of his election is denied by the
Administration press here. The Legislature
also submitted Prohibitory Liquor Law to the
People, which was ratified the first Monday of
April, by 1910 majority. At the same time,
the so-called Peoples ticket nominated by the
Wing members of the Legislature, and consist
ing of Wings (for one or two unimportant Off
ces, Commissioners of Des Moines Improve
ment, &C., was elected by an increased major
ity, as compared with last fall
About month since, Convention of the
Independent Democracy was held at Washing
ton. The Convention was not large, but was
mostly composed Of stanch men, who are not
afraid fthe name of Abolitionist-men who hate
Slavery, and who are in earnest.
The following are two of the resolutions
adopted by the Convention--the first, with one OF
two dissenting voices; the second, with fve
I" Resolred, That we consider the secret polit-
ical organization known to the public as Know
Nothings to be anti-republican in form, false in
principle, and dangerous to liberty in tendency.
Resolced, That the People demand Peo-
ples Party, or Republican Party, to resist the
aggressions of Slavery, and to divorce the Fed
eral Government from Slavery, to be composed
of all earnest freemen in the State; and that
the Platform of the Republican Party in Wis.
consin is the right ground to stand on"
The temper of the Convention was harmo-
NOUS, to maintain inviolate an Ant-Slavery
party, and to unite with all who will work for
that end.
There was some difference of opinion, "a there
will always be, in regard to means 1t happened
that | introduced the resolution last quoted
and for myself, have no sympathy with Wing
cry, and abhor Know Nothingism. think the
same statement will apply to the Convention.
To sum up: There is no Republican Organi.
zation in the State. A small portion of the
Wings, represented by Browning, of Burling-
ton, are inveterately Old Hunkerish The re-
mander are liberal on the Slavery question,
but large part Of them absorbed by Know
Grimes for Governor, and are we'll satisfied
with the result, and now hold themselves ready
to unite with such as do not mutter the shib-
boeths of Whigery or Know Nothingism, to
form Republican party.
Probable result: The new Order will dis
tract the friends of Freedom, and the Sham
Democracy will regain temporary ascenden
cy; but their despotism is broken, their days
are numbered, and sooner or later we shall be
a free State. r. B. FOSTER