New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-06-20
SHALL WE HAVE A NORTHERN OR RE
PUBLICAN PARTY?
From The Pittsburgh Gazette.

We have now arrived at that point in political affairs
in this country when we may pause and take bearings
before proceed further. There are some facts as
eerained which II is proper to note.
1st Three years ago there were three principal po-
htical parties which all held National Conventions,
and nominated candidates for the Presidency in 1852
Owit: The Democratic the "Whig" and " Free
.Sol."
I'd. OF these parties, only one the Democratic now
exists in organized state. Although it has been
greatly weakened by the which have over.
thrown the organizations of the other two vet ALWAYS
being an essentially Pro-Slavery party and In wing its
chief strength in the South, where these dsorganizng
effects have not operated TO the extent and hav
ing also the possession of the National Government,
and being kept together by the cohesive power of
"pubhc plumber" it has kept up some show Of
vitality.
3. The Wing party is in an utterly disorganized
state aud there is no probability that it be rallied
reOrganized in any number of States and from the
Anfi-Slavery proclvtes Of its Northern and strong
wing there is no possibility of recognizing it Ma
tonal party.
g. The Free Soil party was disorganzed by the same
causes which shattered the Wing party.
s. new party has suddenly grown up, and for a
time promised to be powerful political organization,
but on Its first attempt to form National Platform it
has been broken into fragments by the disturb
ing cause which has shattered the Wings.
These ascertained facts. There is but one or
gained party having ramitcaons in all the States
the Democratic and this has not the power of carry
ing any Northern State and can hardly make a show
ofapy strength exceptin Pennsylvania and New-York
The Known othing party, as 1t now exists on the
Platform adopted in Philadelphia, has existence
but in the South except in New-York and Pennsyva-
na and in these States it is hopeessly i'm the minority
Indeed it is not probable it could now carry a single
State in the Union. 1t is also, like the Democratic
party, Pro Slavery.
From this hasty review of the existing state Of par
ties is that at the present moment the voters in
the Northern States who have the destnes of the
Union in their hands, because they elect ORR
ty of the electoral college and the members of Con-
gress politically in disorganzed state. What is
more desirable than to unite them together into one
coherent organized and solid body
These elements are composed of men who have for
serly acted with all the old parties and of many who
have lately acted with the KnowNothing organza-
ton and have seeded by their Representatives at
Philadelphia. There is substantial difficulty in the
yay of fusing these elements into coherent whole
provided the different parts will consent to give up
Law by nonessentia differences, to come on to plat
form on which there Is perfect unity OF sentiment
and which all admit to be of the most vital importance
The difficulty is less also because the same elements
did unite together in several of the States last year
under the form of the Republican organization. and
gained most signal victories. The causes which I'M
Ielled this cohesion, then, exist in all their prestine
power now and the voters in Ohio out of the Demo-
cratic party have acknowledged the potency of these
causes and have buried all minor differences and have
united to form one great Republican party.
Why should not the movement be general? What
is be gained for any one OF these elements by main
tanning separate organization which cannot secure
the success of any distinctive measures or principles,
and will most assuredly risk the loss of those import
ant principles in which all agree? The Wings and
Fr~SoieIs have certainly nothing to gam by keep
Hg up scattered organizations, without any mead or
any tangible aim of practical character And what
have the Know Nohings of the Free States who have
seeded from the National Council to gain by keeping
MP separate organization and standing aloof from
tieir fellow citizens who hold the same views on the
encroaclmenis of Slavery which led them TO break off
from their Southern brethrenl If the question
Slavery aggression was them vital that they
willing TO risk the loss of their distinctive principles
for the sake of resisting it, what reason can they CON
sktently give why they should not abandon their
present org anizaon and unite with their fellow citi-
1ens on the simple yet significant practical and broad
yatform-"No more Slave States, no more Slave
ATerritories Z? 49,
Shall We not then inaugurate great Republican
pry on platform similar to that adopted IN Cleve'
snd. pruned of some extraneous matters which,
tough proper and important in themselves, should be
hit out of National platform. We ask all ANTI
Nebraska men oil persons opposed to the introduction
of slavery into Kansas, into any Territory now
nee whatever may have been their previous political
sintes to ponder seriously this proposition and see
What objection can be found to It.