The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-07-19

of the Negro Oligarchy than to the distinctive
purposes of Natiyism. Indeed, though they
did not then explicitly renounce Nativism, they
stated its doctrine in their address to the people
in form so mild and guarded that 1T would re-
quire very sharp and searching criticism TO
| find fault with it. In thus going out OF that
Council they gave to the Free States positive
pledge that they should henceforth subordinate
all questions, concerning foreigners, Cathohc
influence, and what not, to the truly vital ana
| imminent question, whether the Federal doV-
| eminent is to be administered IN the interest
of Slavery, or in that of Freedom. They might
! still be Natives, just as other men are sun
Wings or still Democrats, as far as their point
ical theory is concerned; but nevertheless
they now announced in the most public and
solemn manner that they were ready and re-
| solved to postpone their Nativism, Just as
others postpone the Wing or the Democratic
measures to which they are attached, IN order
to cooperate for the superior and more urgent
duty of saving the nation from the dangers that
| attend it with such dark and gloomy menace
For, if they were not animated by such reso-
luton, why did the Northern delegates go out
of the National Council? All that was re-
quired of them by that body was to subordi-
nate their convictions against Slavery Exten.
sion to Nativism; this they Indignantly and
calamity refused, and the burst OF universal
applause which followed their act showed that
its generous and manly character had touched
the public heart as politicians rarely have the
fortune to touch it.
1t was this aspect of the Northern secession
from the Philadelphia Council which filled us
with hope and admiration. 1t looked like the
beginning of united movement of all opposed
to the extension of Slavery, comprehensive
enough and powerful enough to settle that ques-
ton and secure the freedom of the country for
ever. But we must say that the course OF the
Know Nothings since that memorable demon
| stration has not added much to our hopes. 1t
is true that in Connecticut and Massachusetts
they have in terms approved the action OF the
seeding delegates to Philadelphia; but at the
same time they have scrupulously abstained
from following the lead of those delegates.
They still declare their hostility to Slavery Ex-
tension to be infexible; but they avoid the
way to give it the most efficient manifestation.
They persist in keeping up the programme and
the machinery Of Nativism and of secrecy;
and though they invite others to cooperate
with them in resisting the designs of the Black
Power, they make the invitation as Natives,
and not on the broad ground of merging all
minor differences for common end of the
highest moment and most instant and pressing
necessity. Thus, instead of really and thor
OCSnly approving the cOnuucI Ol tneu ueie-
gates at Philadelphia, they substantially stamp
it with reputation. They still proclaim that
in their view Nativism is of more account than
Republicanism, and that they will engage in no
com bination in which the policy, means, and
appliances of the Know Nothing lodges shall
not hold the ruling place.
Such is the appearance of affairs in these
States to-day. We are aware that various ex-
plantations are given of the result in Massachu-
sets, and that the blame is thrown on the aver
sion of the leaders of the old parties to engage
in a combination where the members of the
new party must play so large part But why
should old party leaders be consulted at all
What right have these few gentlemen to stand
10 the way Of great popular movement? Why
not at once appeal to the masses, unfurl the
Republican banner, and rally round it the ear
nest and dsinterested millions of voters who
desire no Offices for themselves, but only to
roll back the arrogant aggressions of Slavery?
Why not boldly and frankly carry ont the policy
of the Philadelp hia seceders and their address
This is to be done in Indiana, where Republi-
can State Convention is called for the 18th
inst Why should not Massachusetts and Con-
necticut occupy an equally noble position9