The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-11-15
THE NATIONAL ERA: WASHINGTON D. c. NOVEMBER Is 1865

element of the State, secured the ascendency !;
but the Republican Movement was failure.
This year, that machinery was given up, and the
work of organizing a Republican Party was
fairly commenced. 1t is easy to see what diff
culties must be encountered by an organization
just formed, necessarily incomplete, of materials
somewhat homogeneous, and not yet perfectly
fused, without traditional associations, without
Past, contending not only against an old Party,
strengthened by Patronage, but against Sc
cret Order of vast power, with machinery of
action almost unequalled.
Looking at the results in both States under
this aspect, they are full of encouragement.
The Administration Party, in both States is
overwhelmed-it is no longer Party, but a
faction. The Know Nothing Party in Massa
chusetts is no longer in the majority--Gardner's
plurality being but fifteen thousand. Last year,
the majority in his favor was thirty thousand
this year, larger vote being cast the actual
majority against him is about thirty-three thou
sand. Last year, the Legislature in both
branches was nearly unit for Know Nothing
a majority of the House, and a respectable rep
resentation in the Senate. In New York, the
Know Nothings have probably carried their
State ticket by small plurality, ranging from
five to ten thousand, but in both branches of
the Legislature the plurality is against them.
In both States, the Straight-out Wings are out
of sight; the Administration Party is behind
the Republisss.fi;.whieh stands f. a.sccSt in the
Legislature of New York, and next to the Know
Nothings in that of Massachusetts. If, in its
first effort, with an imperfect organization, too,
the Republican Party has accomplished so
much, making a drawn battle of it, even with
its most powerful and best-disciplined antago-
mist, what may we not expect for it hereafter
Which has the more vitality, love Of Freedom,
or hatred of Foreigners? Which rests on the
truer, nobler, more enduring principles, Repub-
licanism or Know Nothingism? The one must
decrease, the other increase.
In few weeks, Congress will be in session.
No miserable question in relation to foreigners
will occupy its time. Every one knows that the
stern issues growing out of the conflict between
Freedom and Slavery will engross its attention.
The People will be aroused by its discussions
they will be called upon to take sides for or
against Slavery. Republicanism and Slavery
Propagandism, not Nativism and Foregnism,
will be the watch-words. Let Republicans be
true to their own cause-thrust aside all other
issues-openly denouncc whatever doctrine or
policy or party may conflict with their princi
ples-organize, hold meetings, circulate docu-
ments, and labor to extricate the Anti-Sayery
men yet struggling in the tolls of Know
Nothingism. From the time when the banner
of distinct, independent action at the ballotbox,
in favor of Freedom, was flung to the breeze in
$780, that policy has been steadily gaining
ground, until at last its supporters now consti-
tute one of the great Parties of the Union, and
are preparing to contest the Presidency in
1856. They may fail this time, but again we
repeat, their ultimate triumph is inevitable.