Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-05-05
Our Position ON slavery.

Our Position ON slavery.
We observed in the Baltimore Sun Of yester-
day, and the day before, the following de-
spatches under the telegraphic head, to wit
"Bosros, May 2.--Thc Known Nothing State
Convention met this evening, and was largely at
teAded, and It's action was decidedly anti-sasery.
Governor Gardner and Senator Henry Wilson are
among the delegates appointed TO attend the
Know.Notbing Convention TO be held in Philadel-
mia IN June A. b. Ely made an anti-slavery
Know-Nothing speech. Strong anti-slavery reso-
lutions we're passed, and it is generally admitted
that the order must take position upon the anti
slavery platform
"CoscoRD, N. H., May 8.-The American par
" Of this State In State Council adopted resolu-
tions protesting against the repeal Of the Missouri
compromise, and against the Nebraska bill and
Fugitive Slave law, pledgng the party to resist the
further extension Of slavery"
Whether the reports above, do, or do not
correctly represent the action Of the State Con-
ventions Of the American party" in Massa-
chusetts and New Hampshire, we shall not be
able at present to ascertain but upon the n.y.
pothesis, that these conventions have under
taken to pledge the American part" to an
anti-slavery crusade upon tho South, we take
occasion to predict its failure.
If our friends at the North prefer the disco
luton Of the Union, to surrender of all claim
to interfere with the institutions of the South,
they may perhaps succeed in their plan That
they can succeed in pcrsuading one single
member Of tho American party at the South
to yield up their rights, is a preposterous sup
position. We, Of the South, have gone into
the American Organization to remedy the evils
Of Foreignism, Romanism, and Demagoguism,
and we do not intend, now or hereafter, to con-
sent, that the question of slavery shall be agi-
tated, or in any way taken cognizance Of, by
an organization, created for different purpose,
and having no legitimate authority to interfere
with this local question.
But we have no fears of any such attempt
as seems to be indicated by the above para
graphs. There may be now in Massachusetts,
and in New Hampshire, and perhaps in half a
dozen States, majority Of the american
party who would second such movement;
but we opinc, that it viii find no favor in New
York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania, but that,
10 these States, as in the West and South, a
fixed purpose would be manifested to suppress
the attempt. We are credibly informed, that
our party in New York now numbers 180, 00O
sound conservative Americans" and that
they viii, ere long, manifest their nationality
In unmistakable language. The National Coun-
Gil Of our party viii doubtless also speak in
language Of denunciation against all sectional
.-.o~vcx,srfo
is corroborated by the following extract from
the New York Herald of Thursday, to wit:
"The Know.Nothing State Council meets at
Syracuse next Tuesday. It's proceedings will have
an important bearing upon the Virginia election,
national organization. We are assured that the
Nothings Of this State viii place themselves
upon high national ground, equivalent to junction
with their brethren in the South, and TO q formal
divorce from the abolitionized party of Massa.
chusetts-"
We trust that the whole South and West
viii be fully represented in the National Coun-
Gil, when 1t meets, and that sectionalism win
receive quietus at its hands.
We hold it to be the policy Of our friends at
the South TO show themselves in all their
strength, at the present crisis.
Let the whole country see our strength, in
order that they may respect it Let no un-
founded fears-no bugbears, created by our
enemies for effect, prevent their manifesting
their firm devotion TO american principles !"
Any weakness in our party ut the South,
might encourage the anti-slavcry men OF the
North, to create a sectional issue upon the
plan set forth, In the despatch from Concord,
above published. The manifestation Of our
strength at the South, would prevent such a
movement Let the South come into and form
part Of the great American movement, and
they win be in position to observe, to watch
and II not to thwart at least to expose any at
tempt against the interests and safety Of the
South, should such attempt be made We
spprehend no serious attempts from sectional
agitators, but In view Of such possible move
ments, II is alike the interest and the duty Of
the Southern friends Of the American princi-
pies, TO rally all their strength and put down
the agitation, inside the National Councils and
National Conventions Of our party.
The doctrines Of the American party, find
almost universal favor at the South, and were
II not for the apprehensions Of some Of our
Southern friends, on the slavery question, four
fifths Of the voting population Of the whole
South would join our party. Now We say, and
we have repeatedly shown, that the American
party escheps tho agitation Of slavery, and
that 1t forms no part Of the purposes Of this
party, to interfere with the question Of slavery
Well, suppose q few miscellaneous men at the
North, shall seek to use this party for cru
SADIE against the SOUTH Suppose majority
in half q dozen Northern States shall be found,
10 press forward such a movements How
can such attempts be most readily thwartedi
Surely the resdiest and surest means Of ar
resting such movements win be found inside
the National Councils and National Conven-
tons, in which they may be demonstrated !
Surely the plainest mode Of checking such
movements, II made, will be, for the Southern
and Western delegates, to unite with their con-
sentative brethren from New York, New Jcr-
sey, Pennsylvania, and other States, whose