The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-10-11
PAINTING BY THE WAY.

ocratic members of Congress on the subject;
when the Nebraska bill was introduced; while
the agitation was going on, discussed with consid-
cradle thoroughness various questions growing
out of Slavery, taking strong position against
the aggressions of the Slave Power and, subse-
quently, rather sympathized with the movements
in the free States, against such of their represent
tiyes as had voted for repeal, and in favor of
the election Of successors, pledged to undo the
mischief they had done, and provide against its
repetition.
Time passed, and with it evaporated the
transient zeal of the Advertiser. True, the
National Hteltigencer and Southern Wings of
the most liberal class, declared in favor of ac-
quiescence in the repeal, and against any at
tempt to reopen the question. True, the Mis-
souri, Slavery men invaded Kansas, put down
the actual settlers, and forced upon the devo-
ted Territory an infamous Slave Code. True,
the Administration evinced a fell purpose to
sanction and sustain the amazing injustice and
fraud. The Adoertiser saw it all, but became
more and more patient The steadfast, clear
sighted opponents of repeal, not recognising in
its baleful results reason for acquiescence,
were only stimulated to measures of redress !;
but as their earnestness increased, so did the in
difference Of tie Advertiser, until, at last, it be-
gan to assume position of antagonism to
them, and, suspendiHg its opposition to the
usurpations of Slavery, declared war against
"the aggressions of fanaticism."
We refer to the Adce,tiser as the representa-
tive of class. Its course has been that of the
such exceptions as the Boston Atlas and 1ele-
graph, New York Tribune and Post-and that
of the Fillmore and Webster Wings generally.
In the struggle against the Nebraska bill, in
the reaction produced by that measure in the
free States, and in the movements for the regen-
Grafton of Congress, for the most part, they were
with us; but when the crisis came in which, to
make effectual all else that had been done, it
was necessary to unite the People without dis
tinction of Party, in a combined movement to
wrest the Presidency from the grasp of the
Slave Power, their hearts failed them.
They knew, as well as we, that no Anti-Ne-
braska majority in Congress could stand its
ground against the solid phalanx of Southern
votes, backed by Pro-Slavery Administra-
ton that no essential aid could be rendered
to the People of Kansas, without radical
change in the Administration that the cleo
ton of Seward, Chase, Preston King, or some
other Anti-Slavery man, to the Presidential
chair, would be the logical consummation of
the reactive movement they had at first en-
couraged; that in such hands the Government
of the Union would be quite as safe as in the
hands of that class of politicians who had
propagated Slavery in Texas, plunged us into a
war with Mexico, repealed the Missouri Com
promise, and plotted against the possession OF
a nation with which we were at peace-whle
administered constitutionally and without vio-
lence, it would have forever put an end to all
schemes of Propagandism-and they knew
that were the Presidency suffered to remain
under the control of the Slave Interest, the
Kansas n ebraska Bill would not only be acqui
esced in, and its bitter fruits be fully reaped
but, as in the case of the compromise Of 1850, its
bad principles would be laid down as the basis
of party elton, and unbridled license be given
to the spirit of Slavery Propagandism. All
this they knew, as well as we, but their hearts
.faiicd them. So long as the battle was con-
fined to the States, they stood firm but when
it became necessary to organize for National
struggle, and meet the Slave Power face to
-. nr'."'~-, -----,,u Tie cost and
resolved to go through what they had under
taken.
These men constitute the Republican party,
the express object of which is to elect Re-
publican CIR an Anti-Slavery President, one
who will administer the Government in con.
formlty 10 the views of the Constitution and
Free Institutions prevailing in the Free States.
The deSeTters are now fast resolving themselves.
in obedience to old afinties. into the Viii.
Democratic, and Know Nothing Parties, all of
these having taken the ground of entire acou;.
escence in the usurpations of Slavery. resist.
ance to all agitation of the question, and the
election OF so-called "National man, who
like Franklin Pierce or Willard Fillmore. shall
administer the Government in conformity to
the views OF the Constitution and Slave Inst
tutions prevailing in the Slave States.
Let the People understand distinctly. that at
this point the division commences in the Free
o'ateS AL who are IN favor of continuing
power in the hands of the Slave Interest
will act consistently by supporting Straightou.
Whiggery, Pierce Democracy, or National
Know Nothingism: all who are determined to
make the Government of the Union the rem
resentative of Freedom, will act with the Re-
publican Party
This is the plain, naked issue; it is dishonest
1t is base, to attempt to cover it up. Let the
National patriots" as they delight to call
themselves. say plainly, eve are afraid of the
Shareholders afraid that if we assert our right to
elect an Anti Slavery President, as they have as
serted theirs, to elect Slavery President.
tney Will be driven to some desperate measures.
We would submit even to the election of Henry
A. Wise or General Quitman, but they would
divide the Union, rather than acauiesce in the
elevation of S. P. Chase or VIM. III. Seward
moderate as these gentlemen are known IN no
For this reason, we will not make the ;sspe
put, LOVING the Union and our own peace. we
VIII 20 the best we can, as National patriots.'r
ms might not be very brave or high.minded.
but 1t would be candid Their course has NOT
even this merit To hide their own shame
they would raise hue and cry against better
men. They SANDER the true friends of the
Union and free institutions, hoping to excuse
their base retreat from the struggle GOING
on to maintain them. One is seized With
sudden reverence for the old and venerable
name OF Wing. One is disguised at the idea