The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-04-20
Nationaliziug Of the Know Nothing
Party.

Many Of the newspaper organs ot'the old
parties are at the present time conjuring up
oil manner Of difficulties which are to pre-
vent the American party from ever becom-
ing National organization. Notwithstand-
ing this new party has triumphed in nearly
every town, city, county and State, where
elections have been held since its formation,
ind men Of all political beliefs have thrown
in their influence to aid in its success, these
political leaders, who like the old Roman
Senate, have become grey in the Service OF
their particular party, endeayor TO show
that the men who have gone into this Amer
lean movement can never form platform
upon which they can stand united as q
National party. The one great barrier
which they contend is to divide the Ameri-
can party, is the question Of slavery; upon
this say they, is the American party sure to
be wrecked 10 steer clear Of this Is utter
ly impossible, the question must be met
openly and fairly,-no attempt to eyade or
pass il over unheeded will satisfy the PEG.
pie, either here ut the North or at the
South.
Now we readily acknowledge that If any
thing is TO distract or cause trouble 10 the
American party. il is the great question Of
slavery. And we are also well aware that
no doubtful, halfway course in relation to
this matter, will answer. lt must DO met
fairly and openly, and its views made know
clearly and distinctly, so that there can be
no doubt as to the position it occupies. A
platform must DO formed of no crazy timbers.
which will be made to sway to and fro, and
fall to pieces under the weight Of the party
for which it is created. 1t must be broad
aud liberal platform. into which must be en-
grated planks and timbcrs from all parts
and sections Of the Union, from the North,
the South, the East, the West,-all must
be known and contribute their share oil
materill, no exclusion must be allowed
but let il DO Of such character that no really
true American can conscientiously find
fault
Now what shall be the grounds in rela
ton to slavery Well, we say, no more
slave territory-not another inch Of ground
must be cursed with slave labor. Here
must the American party take its stand and
p place its landmarks. Beyond its present
limits, slavery must never be allowed &c
spread. We say 10 our brethren Of the
South, keep what you have got aud make
the most OF il. If you believe slavery to be
blessing, why, enjoy it, We will wage nc
war against il where il is already establish
cd; but you must not ask us Of the North
who believe the institution OF slavery to be
curse to our country, and contrary to IN,
spiri, OF Republicanism, to aid in extending
il over territory now free. This we cannot
do, for we believe that il would DO a viola
ton OF the original intention Of the great and
good men who FIRST formed our government
and a violation Of the laws of God and the
rights of humanity.
We believe that If the American party
takes any other ground than that in opposi
ton &c the extension Of slavery, 1t will 20
down and become extinct. Such is the
feeling now pervading the entire community
in all the free States in opposition to slay.
cry extension, that il is useless for any party
to attempt to live unless tits 9rrayed against
il. We would not be understood as saying
that the American party must become an
abolition party, and that the question of
slavery must be the only one Of agitation.
Far from it. What we say Is, that the
party must be arrayed in opposition to the
extension OF slavery, and leave Its abolition
whore il now exists entirely alone. That is
our idea Of the matter; and if the American
party cannot stand on this ground, then let
il fall and go % ruin. This is the only truc
American ground-the ground upon which
our government is founded, and the ground
which all parties that wish to stand for any
length OF time must take and we believe IA
large portion Of tho conservative men OF the
slaveholding States will agree to this, They
well know that slavery tends rather to
weaken than strengthen our government,
and the sooner we are rid Of it the better it
will be for our country. or course the
whole South will not be united in this, bu,
many of her hes, men will DO with US, At
any rate, we believe this is the true ground
for the American party to take, and in fact,
the only ground upon which il can stand
with any degree Of permanency.-1isredih
Ga-cite.