Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-05-11
HON. O. W. yuLIAx-rHE ANTI-sLAvERY
CONVENTION.

HUN. ". W. JULIAN LIE A&4k-ok4 v&<>&
CONVENTION.
During a late visit 10 Cincinnati, we
dropped into Greenwood Hall, one
afternoon, to witness the doings Of
the Anti-Slavery convention. The
programme for that hour was speech
from the President Of the Convention,
Hon. G. w. Julian Of Indiana.
To say that it was either an eloquent
or able exposition Of anti-slaveryism
would be to render ourself ridiculous
among those who know Mr.. Julian
He is not capable Of either. He is a
man Of but mediocre abilities. though
we esteem him for his perseverance
and his sincerity, even though we be-
leive him misguided and ultra, and an
unsafe leader. So far as his adherence
Of slavery Is concerned. we are will
ing to 60 hand in hand with him. We
hate slavery in our Utmost heart. We
hate Il when we lie down and when we
rise up. when We go out and when we
come in. Regardingitas concentration
Of crime and villiany. we hate 1t with
q compound hatred. and long since
have we vowed to do all in our power
to exterpate it. In view Of lie enorm.
tiles, and Of the fearful facts that our
nation has Rugged IL to its bosom. and
and made u . national sin. and that
God Is just. we trcmbls for our soun-
try: for nothing but such deep nation
al peni,ence as We see no hope Of, and
national restitution, can avert the
judgements Of Heaven that have q
long time delayed. and which. II We
read Alright the signs Of the times,
are now near at hand.
But Mr.. Julian's speech was mostly
an abuse Of Know Nothingism. and
an exhortation 10 anti.slsvery men 10
keep up q distinct an!i.slavery political
organisation. We can but regard his
course a. most fatal to the restriction
and ultimate death Of Slavery. Were
Know nottingham what ho represen'
ted Il to be, he did not utter one ana.
thema too much. But no wholly mis-
represented ID. or We are unacquainted
with Il, and We think We have had an
opportunity to know Il more thorough
ly than he can. rs we have met In its
councils, taken part In its deliberations
and eonvsrsed freely with its leading
men.
To charge the American or Know
Nothing party. with hostility to for
signsrs. Is simply false. No such .
hostility exists. There may be . few
who.co.opera.e with them. that enter
tain such hostility, ~ there are men
among the an,i.slavery party that
would turn the sword and purse Of the
nation to an immediate emancipation
Of the negroes, and the utter destruc'
ton Of the Republic. rather than fil
In sheirpurposes. But a few hos.bloods
and Grs.sa.ers do not give character
to . community or party.
We profess to be acquainted with
the purposes Of the American party.
at least In this vicinity. and. wc think,
In Indiana. and the North generally
Instead Of wishing to prescribe for
eigners or even papists. simply be.
cause they are foreigners or papis's'
they desire 10 grant the adopted ci,i'
zen. regardless Of his faith. every pos
sibls privilege.
But II had como to pass TINT every
political platform must DO constructed
with direct reference 10 the tasles and
wishes Of Foreigners. and papists Ia
particular. Before putting forth men
or devising measures. our leaders IL
politics had first to ask how will Thu
man or this measure be regarded by
the foreign voters. This had gone Il
such an extent that tho interests ant
wishes Of Americans were wholly ig
nored, and the strife between Office
seekers was to see who could bid th,
highes. price for the influence Of thu
papal power. In order to do this sue
cessfally. foreigners. hardly able Il
read or speak our language. werc pu
IN the tickets TO the exclusion Of hon
est and intelligent Americans. and mor'
than once. powerful parties had con
sented 10 Danish the bible from tn,
common schools. and even parcel ou
the common school fund to the catho
lies as a consideration for papal politica
patronage. In the cities, sometimes
two thirds or more Of the police force
were both foreign and papal. These
facts created AUST alarm. But in all
the foreigners were less to blame thar
those who bowed to them. And it wa
TO correct these abuses that know moth
inglsm arose. That some indiscret'
speeches and actions may have beer
made is probable. That, in order L
correct the evils alluded to. foreigners
may in some instances have been pro
scribed. is also probable. But it il
not an attack upon foreigners that il
contemplated. 1t is to rebuke ant
correct those who have bid for theil
influence that the movement exists.
Again, Mr.. Julian is in error il b,
supposes that Know Nothingism Is |
party. 1t is not, and il cannot be-