The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-02-01

| strangied the policy of internal improvements
by the National Government, and was giving
away our public lands to the great West, in
consideration of the support which the West
was giving, through her Douglases, Brights,
| Cases, and Richardson's, to the support and
encouragement of Slavery. What was left to
them OF the old Wing party but the name? ?
Their great leaders were dead and their princi-
pies had apparently become obsolete. Many
| of the old line Democrats had become disgust
| ed with the action of their present party lead
srs; and, besides this, many were at heart Anti
| Slavery men.
Free Democrats were the only politicians
who had reason to look forward with any de-
gree Of confident hope. They thought that they
could see the evidences of dissolution in both
of the old parties and in this the harbinger of
| better days for the country, and for the cause
Of Human Freedom. 1t is true that the Pro-
Slavery portion of the old parties believed that
the Anti-Slavery sentiment had been efectual-
| ly " crushed out" and did not fear any further
trouble from the "despised sect" Such were
| the feelings and opinions entertained by vast
number, members of the respective parties, at
the time when Senator Douglas introduced his
nefarious scheme, to rob Freedom and free men
of their rights.
1t was not long before the country became
aroused. In many sections, the feeling was
that of deep detestation for the measure and
its author. 1t appeared as if we were indeed,
at last, TO have united North. 80 completely
had the people become aroused, and so great
was the unanimity of feeling and opinion.
Propositions were submitted and urged, to
| unite the entire AHti-1dD,iaistrafion strength
upon simple Republican platform but it as
finally rejected by the Silver Grayism of con
sentative Wings. This was fatal error
Shortly after this, we began to hear of the
| triumphs of an unknown power. The Know
Nothings were routing the forces of the Pierce
Democracy, wherever they met them at the
elections in the free States
The People appeared to heartily rejoice that
there was at last power found, which was
equal to the task Of prostrating party which
had courted the Slave Power and Papacy.
Wing papers and Free Democratic papers We'd
with each other in their CALCULATIONS over the
| triumphs of this new element, and in the de-
feat of tho sham Democracy and, in indirect
terms at least, commended the mysterious
agent which had so essentially aided in produ-
cling such astonishing results, at borough, ward,
township, county, and State elections.
Know Nothing victories were received as
Anti-Nebraska triumphs; they were chronicled
as such, and rejoiced over as such and such
| / undertake to say, they 7ce7e.
all this upon the minds of men, many of whom
were anxious to unite their efforts with any
party that would appear to promise reason
able prospect of prostrating Pierce and slave
supporting Democracy? Why, Just what it
has been---to prepare thousands to enter the
new organization And they did it, without in
curing whittier it might lead them
There was secresy, and that offered protec-
ton against the odium that 80 often attaches
to those who, even for once, fail in their party
allegiance. 1t is folly to attempt to disguise
the fact, that all party organizations do, more
or less tyrannize over the consciences and
minds of men. The Wings were more easily
induced to enter, inasmuch as it was positively
charged upon their candidate for Governor,
that he was member of the Order; and the
Wings outside hoped for success, because it
was supposed that he would receive the Know
Nothing support. The Free-Soilers, or Free -,
Democrats, could see no evil in that which
promised to rebuke an Administration which
had so wantonly outraged the principles of JUS
tee and good faith. And, besides, this was so
we'll calculated to loosen old party ties, and
which might ultimately be the means of erect
ing barrier against the further encroachments
of Slavery.
With these views and feelings. great numbers
of them have doubtless found their way into
the new organization, honestly believing that
they were subscribing the Anti-Slavery cause.
venture to assert that these feelings had much
more to do in building up the new party
than the simple desire to alter or repeal our
naturalization lava, TO prescribe Roman
Catholics. and prevent foreigners from holding
office. That there is a dcep-seated Protestant
American feeling in this section of the State. |
freely admit and i as freely admit that / SYM
pathize with it. But j dare assert, that not
one in twenty of those who united with the
now party ever dreamed of or purposed, to aid
in building up organization which should
bind itself to the unholy purposes of building
up and supporting Slavery. Let it but be
made apparent that the new party is to be pros
tituted to so base purpose, and hesitate not
to say, that it's strength and numbers in the
North will melt away, as fast snow flakes
under the influence of an April sun.
Believing all that l have written TO be true.
| therefore pray you not TO denounce Know
Nothings as traitors and conspirators, and do
not believe them all to be men who can be
marshaled under the black flag Of Slavery 1t
cannot be done.
Thousands have innocenty connected them
selves with the new organization, who will not
knowingly lend their influence, however re-
motely, to bolster up Slavery.
Nor win they continue with a party that
ignores the question. When the National Know
Nothing organ of your city shall have succeed
ed in removing the Anti-Slavery scum" from
the National organization, it will have accom-
plished a great work. Two National organs,
engaged in so laudabe an enterprise, should
succeed: and | trust, by the time that the Anti
Slavery sentiment is "crushed out" of the
American party" that the party itself will
experience, in its own feelings, that quiet and
do oil
PUTNAM.