Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-12-01


would remain wholly unnoticed. But other
presses and other persons, either through mis-
information, ignorance, or some other cause,
have given currency to these insinuations, and
it is proper we should notice them We shall
not do ii by invectiye or epthet, but by facts
from the record.
We refer to, without repeating the positions
we assumed on Monday last They are before
our readers. The Inconsistency charged upon
us has relation to federation Of opinion on
the subject Of slavery in the American party.
Many Of our readers, and especially those Of
the North, thought our editorials were pro-
slavery in their tendency, because we de-
the anti-slavery men, and because we opposed
the course Of Mr., Seward of New York. South
| em anti-American presses had openly pro-
claimed that the American party was anti-sla-
very. During the contest in Virginia last May
we endeavored to show that the American par
ty had no tendency to any such sectionalism
whatever. From that discussion Northern gen.
tlemen were impressed with the idea that we
| We're pro-slavery, without carefully considering
our arguments, and some of them now suppose
we have changed our views This is an error.
We stand where we have always stood on
this question.
The extracts which we now publish from
former numbers Of the Organ, will vindicate
our consistency in this respect, as neither pro
slavery nor anti-slavery in the tendencies Of
editorials:
(Ertract from our editorial Of FEB. Q, 1869
Democrats, Wings, or w-Nothings, may
severally unite for general purposes, and yet not
agree upon the question of slavery. The two
frst-namaa parties were formed upon antagonis-
tic grounds Of national policy. Neither party
was formed In reference to the overthrow or the
protection of slave institutions, and hence members
Of each of these parties may agree and harmonic
on the principles undertaking their respective par.
ties, and differ on principles unconnected with the
purposes Of their association.
!" 1t is SO with the American party. Our plat
form of principles embraces the policy on which
our party Is formed. We all oppose Foreignism
and Romanism; but the question Of slavery we
leave where the constitution pacesit We do not
interfere with it. Men may differ on this question:
and yet act in harmony upon the principles we
have associated to enforce"
(Eatract from editorial Of February s, '55.)
The views adopted by the American party
are, that on all questions disconnected with the
purposes for which our party was originated, each
member is free to entertain his individual notions,
but that such notions or opinions are not to be
subjects OF discussion of action in our councils
Upon the various political topics, touching which
rival parties have differed, party takes no ac-
ton. We ignore the question of slavery, and
leave 1t where the constitution places It. We de-
plorc agitation this question. We seek to avoid
Fla me ahor nf ~ Il bnu rroo
to enjoy his opinion and Of action on extraneous
questions. But with an unparalleled unanimty
We have resolved TO uphold the Union"
(E1trdct from editorial Of February 10, 1859
"lf we know anything of the purposes of the
American party, we have frankly and fairly pre-
scented them in our prospectus and in our platform
of principles. To agitate to interfere with the
question of slavery forms no part of our purposes
as party.
Individual members of our party cherish their
own opinions, and viii individually maintain them
on any and all questions, outside our organization
The American Reformation which we seek to
advance, does not embrace any local questions or
local measures. The evils we seek to remedy are
national-our measures Of relief viii be national
and their operation viii be national, not sectional
| (Ertract from editorial of FEB. IA, 500
1--WE shall keep steadily in view the purposes of
our organization. Banks, tariffs, and distribution
are buried in the tomb of the capulets 80 far as
party divisions are concerned. We would bury
the question of slavery in the tomb, If the
administration presses would cease their eternal
din The interests, happiness, peace, and quiet of
the whole country would be safe and secure from
assault II the South would but silence the tongues
of their protested advocates
(E'rtrdct from editorial Of March IL, 1867
with the questions of the tariff-banls--
public lands stnbution-internalm improvements,
&c, &c, we have, as party, nothing to do.
Each man judges for himself and acts for himself,
on these questions, independently Of organize
ton. In like manner, the question of slavery Is
not one which we discuss, as party. Our purpo-
ses have relation TO Foreignism, Demagoguism, aud
Romanlsm. We are pledged to stand by the union
of the States and the rights Of the States. Hence
we deprecate the agitation of the question Of
slavery, and oppose It.
Each member Of the American party has the
same individual right Of opinion, as to the merits
or dement's Of slavery, as has a member of the
Wing party or, of the Democratic party
We could multiply extracts till every page
Of our paper was filled with them, showing
perfect consistency in our course on this ques-
tion, from the first issue Of ne Organ to the
day we left il in July. We defy any and all
oar opponents TO find one sentence IN ana
number efthe Organ, whilst under our charge,
which conflicts with these views. We hope to
have no occasion to advert to these matters
again, as il is our purpose, SO far as practical
BILE, to avoid all discussions in relation to any
matters either sectional OF personal
METHODIST COMMUNICATION the Express
we learn the following action Of the Methodist
Conference now in session in Petersburg. The
characters of the following elders were passed
Thomas G. Hayes, Leroy M. Lee, d. s. Doggett,