The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1855-06-08


run by generation whose SPEED is more
remarkable than its progress and its ed
itors, like the appendages - kite, are
dangling at the tail of Know \ Nothingism,
to secure themselves from lapsiDg into no
nentity.
When we commenced this article, we
did not intend to do more than introduce
to the readers of the Commercial few
extracts showing the present condition Of
the courtship and dalliance now going on
between Squire Know Nothing and Dame
Free Soil, in which the former enacts the
part of an ardent lover, while the latter
stands upon ceremony, and with the pru-
dish air of an ancient virgin, talks about
marriage settlements and honorable in
tentions, and refuses to come to terms un-
LID all the preliminaries are satisfactorily
adjusted The truth is, Squire Know
Nothing is sort of Irish lover. He has
been getting along pretty fast, but his ex-
penses have been increasing as rapidly as
his income, and he has got good start
down hill. If he cannot effect a union
with his cousin, the heiress of the other
branch Of the ancient estate, his prospects
are any thing but fatterihg. This view
of the case vastly increases the ardor Of
his flame. He becomes importunate--is
determined not to be put off, and enters
into arguments as metaphysical as those
of Hudibras with his mistress, to prove
the mutuality of their sentiments, and the
benefits that would ensre to both parties
from the conjunction.
The interlocutors in the present scene
are Hon. J. R. Giddings, and the Editor
of the Ohio State Journal. For twelve
years and more, to ths Editor Of the Ohio
State Journal and his predecessors, Joshua
R. Giddings has been but another name
for all that was unwholesome in principle
and unsound in practice, If there is a
man who, during all the time, and con-
stantly, has been soundly, strongly and
justly abused by that print, that man is
Joshua R. Giddings. But politics is like
misery in obliterating distinctions, and he
who is nothing unless he belongs to some
party or other, had better make up his
mind at the start to take such bed fellows
as the fates provide, with as good grace
3 as possible. The Ohio State Journal has
become as adept in the amenities Of life as
French dancing master, and the Editor,
with an air of distinguished consideration
| worthy of the best diplomatic circles Of
the continent, finding that Mr.. Giddings
'feels aggrieved" by paragraph in pre-.
3 vious protocol, is determined that no mar
or party shall have cause to complain O
t his illiberaiity. Mr. Giddings writes
lengthy letter to the Journal. The Editor
n replies in lengthy article. From thes'
v we expect alternate verses after the man
d ner of the pastoral poets, giving, as the SO
>. Letting party, the precedence to the Ed
is itor.
Vt The Editor, with pleasant smile upol
n his countenance, and gleam of anticipa
g ted triumph in his eye, states the object o
9 the Know Nothing organization. 1t was
instituted for the reform of abuses. There
3 are certain issues upon which it has mo-
q declared itself. Among these are the tar
i iff, internal improvement and currency
3 questions. 1t was not formed to act upon
these. 1t has no opinion upon them,
"This process of reasoning may be ex-
S tended to the question of Slavery. The
association was not formed upon that idea
1t has no more to do with it as an Order
: than it has with the tariff or with the cur
rency question. 1t is idle to suppose any
a national party can exist with a unity Of
: views upon the subject Of Slavery. Such
I has never been the case, and we venture
the opinion that it never will be. The
North, Of whatever party, mast be oppo.
sed to Slavery, though perfectly willing tc
S grant to Shareholders all the rights to
e which they are entitled under the consti-
J. tuition. The South will still cling to the
7 giant evil, because it is interviewer so gen
7 orally into their social and political fabric
: that it cannot, for many years be eradica-
: ted. Ii the two sections ever act togeth-
!. er, it must be with the understanding that
a each shall be permitted to entertain its own
: views on this subject"
d Mr.. Giddings-buttoning up his pock.
n cts and assuming peremptory air.
: 81 will not stop to argue the question as
n to the proEstavery tendencies Of the new
e organization. Their principal organ a
il Washington, indeed all their papers a
: the South, say they are prosslavery.-
}, Southern men who belong TO the Order
i say that Northern members must act fol
y slavery or violate their oaths; while thei
9 accredited organs at the North insist tina
Is the Order has nothing to do with the slav,
&c question. 1t is enough for me that thei
e position on the great issue to which / hav'
: referred is equivocal. / will neither sus
tain nor encourage any party that is doubt
se full on that issue. Ispeak only for my
l. self, when l say, would make no bargain
!, with any party. would enter upon N
l. effort to unite conflicting parties. Iwoul
J. enter into no arrangement with any part
" whose principles l believe to be wrong
a Most Of all, / would make no bargain
= form no union with a secret political pal
70 ty."
10 The Editor--rather crest fallen--refel
a. ring to the late fusion proceedings, hope
e. that the old time of good fellowship wi
le be remembered.
,e "This union, for purpose of this char
If aoter. was effected last wear. with precige