The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-05-10

sumed equality of position, use, or necessity,
but equality from the fact of existence,) viii
be approved and upheld by them. Nationally
| they believe Slavery to be curse, and the
greatest obstacle in the way of the peoples
prosperity; and that the adoption of measures
supported by them are absolutely necessary, as
preliminary to the entinguishment OF Slavery,
| by rendering it of no use or benefit. These
measures are well known and clearly defined,
having been laid down in several successive
| platforms. Here is where majority OF our
people stand and they willing that all should
come and act with them. But to give up SIN
gle essential measure for the sake of help from
outsiders-who cannot support the whole-and
thus weaken ourselves in principle and purpose,
can only be asked for by those who know not
where to go, and assented to by those who know
not the strength of truth and perseverance. Ell
ements may combine whose leading character
istic touching the object to be gained is COM
mon. But, when in relation to this object there
is no common sentiment or purpose, there can
be no fusion, any more than between oil and
water. The ProSlaveryism of the old parties
gave rise to the Independent Democratic or
Republican party. They have made active op-
position to Slavery's unconstitutional encroach-
ments upon Freedom, the cornerstone of their
organization.
The Know Nothings, in relation to Slavery,
take the position of the old parties-refusing to
have anything to do with it; thus leaving the
stakeholder to do as he pleases. This was the
position of the old parties; and so long as they
held possession of the political field Slavery
prospered. They cared not for individual opin-
ion. if it found no expression beyond the vicin-
ity of the individual. This is the Know Moth
ing position, as defined by their leading organ
in Ohio, the Cincinnati Times, which says;
"Now, what does Sam propose to do? His
grand object is the revivifcation of American
nationality. He expects to unite, and will
doubtless bind together for this purpose, the
North and the South, the East and the West.
"Fill Congress and our Legislatures all over
the land with true hearted Americans; each To-
cality satisfying itself in regard to other mat
tiers, as to the opinion of candidates who seek
the popular suffrage. Thus, in Ohio or New
England, Free Soil, or Wing, or Democrat may
or may not be elected, as suits the people of
the various districts and counties; but whether
Free Soil, Wing, or Democrat, be chosen, let
the man be, all over and all through, inside and
out, saturated with american Nationality. So
in Kentucky, Louisiana, Alabama, DC. Sam
says to his dutifu children there suit yourselves
as to Banks, Tariffs, Free Soil, Whigery, or
Democracy; but, whatever may be your favorite
opinions on either or all Of these questions, be
sure he rates American Nationality as the ques-
ton above all others, especially at this time.
In this way Sam hopes, by leaving ertraneous
matters at rest, SO far as he is concerned, to
unite the American will!
"Neither Free Soilism, Pro-Slavery, Wing
ism, nor Democracy, need expect to receive, as
such, aid from Sam"
The Independent Democracy cannot be rec
onciled to party which ignores the Slavery
question, Z" as such;" for that question, " as
such" is the vital thing in its organization. So
far as Freedom is concerned, we might as well
return to the old parties whence we came, and
believe there is no God but the God of politics,
and no law but the lower law of brute force
This subject is important, and for good reasons
should receive the attention of every man who
looks to political action for the encouragement
of Slavery