The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-08-02
THE REPUBLICAN MovEMENT-THE TRUE
POLICY

section re-affirming it with decided emphasis
Albert Pike boasts that it was "strong enough
TO drive off the Abolitionists, which the Demo
cratic Party had never done and never viii
do"
In Louisiana, the religious test is repudiated
a large portion of the Party there being Catho-
lie. great mass meeting, held in New Or
leans on the llth, passed the following resolu-
tons, which show clearly enough the policy of
the Know Nothings in that State:
| "Resoired, That we are the friends of reli-
| gious as well as civil liberty, and that we are
opposed to any political prescription for reli-
| gious faith, either as to the right of voting or
| holding office.
"Resotved, That it is against the Constitu-
ton and good policy to grant any alien a right
to take part in the Government of the coun-
try, by voting either in State or Territory"
In the South, they go against Foreigners
and tolerate the Pope; in the West, against
the Pope, and tolerate Foreigners; in New
England, against both. In the free States
many aid and abet the organization for the
purpose of breaking up the old parties in the
slave States, all its supporters look to it as
refuge against Abolitionists, their only hope of
National Party pledged to maintain Slavery
On the 22d of February next, the Party will
hold National Convention in Philadelphia.
for the purpose of nominating Presidential
candidate. Every State Council in the South
will be fully represented representation
will there be from the free States? New York
will send delegates, for the Party there is thor
oughly servie. In Pennsylvania, it is split,
but the Hunker portion at least will be repre-
sented. The State Councils of Connecticut and
Rhode Island have repudiated the proslavery
article Of the National platform, but have not
dissolved their connection with the National
organization. We suppose they will send del
egstes. How it will be in the rest of the New
England States, it is impossible to predict with
much certainty, but it is quite probable that
there may be volunteer bunker delegates from
all of them. The State Council of Illinois, af
ter turbulent discussion, lately rejected the
pro-slavery part of the National platform, but
1T adheres to the organization, and made pro-
vision for delegates to the Convention of Febru-
airy 22d-thus indicating its purpose to support
its nominee.
In short, after all the brave words of the
Northern section of the organization, we shall
expect to see all the free States represented,
or rather misrepresented, by Know Nothing del
egates in that pro-slavery Convention, who
will not only take part in its proceedings, but
labor subsequently for the success of its NOM
nations. Now, in view of all these considera-
tons, we regard the attempt to keep up a
Northern Know Nothing Party as treason to
the Cause of Freedom. 1t can have no other
effect than to divide the free States, and secure
the success of either a pro-slavery sham Dem
ocrat, or a pro-slavery Know Nothing. For
the life of us, we cannot see how any honest
lover of Freedom any real friend of the union
of freemen for the sake of Freedom, any man,
unwilling to have the destinies of this Repub
lie committed four years longer to the tender
mercies of Slavery Propagandists, can continue
for moment to give countenance TO this dis
cord-breeding organization. Let no professed
ti-Slavery man tell us that there is no other
Party which has the power to achieve anything
good. 1t is not true. The Republican Party
has fairly taken the field in Ohio. Know Moth
ingism is ignored-Freedom alone recognised
All issues, but those raised by the Slave Pow
er, are thrust aside and now, in Ohio, there
are but two known Parties-the Administra-
ton Party, or the Party of Slavery; the Peoples
Party, or the Party of Freedom No Anti-Sla-
very man, no one who desires sincerely a union
for Liberty, viii hesitate to enroll himself in
the ranks of the latter-and no such man will
recognise for an instant the conflicting claims
of any other Party. The movement in Ohio
is akin to those which have already taken place
in Vermont, Maine, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
If we understand the matter, an honest, open
Republican Party exists in each of those States /;
and we see with joy that measures are now on
foot for like organization in New York.
Republican State Convention is called, to
meet at Syracuse; and on the same day, by
| concert, we presume, the Wing State Conven-
ton will assemble, at the same place. The de.
sign Is to unite all the elements of opposition
to Slavery, so that, as in Ohio, there shall be
but two great parties-the Slavery Administra.
ton Party, and the Peoples or Republican
Party. May the design be accomplished. The
old Wing Party has had its day, fulfilled its
mission. All that is vital of it in the State OF
New York resides with its Anti-Slavery mem.
bers, and their proper place is in the ranks Of
the great Republican host. By themselves they
can do nothing, for there is no Wing Party in
| other States for them to affiliate with Their
real co-laborers elsewhere are Republicans Let
| there be then at Syracuse an honest, hearty fu
sion with the Republicans, composed of the
Liberal Democrats and the old FreeSoilers.
The Central State Committee of the Repub
lican Party of Ohio is instructed to correspond
with similar Committees in other States, with
the view of calling National Republican Con
vention, to nominate candidates for the Presi
dency and Vice Presidency. OF course, the
correspondence will be carried on with Repub
f'can Committees, representing the Republican
Party. No matter what ground on the subiec,
OF Slavery the State Committee of any other
Party may occupy, it viii be entitled to take
no part in calling Republican Convention
Democratic and Wing Committees do not cal
Democratic Conventions, nor can Republican
and Know Nothing Committees call a Republi
can Convention. Let everything be done hon
| estly and aboveboard. We want no co-opera
tion Jetrcen Parties, duplicating the member.
| of one Party in the support Of the peculia,