The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-12-20
WASHINGTON, d. c..
Spirit of tBs Qress.
From The Cleveland tol Leader, Dec. 4.
THE WORK TO BE DONE.


The vastness of the work before us makes
every moment precious. We have eleven
months in which to perfect our organization,
select candidate. aud elect him President. In
that time We shall have to overcome all the OBJ
stacles which selfish and unprincipled men can
place in our way. We shall have TO encourage
the timid, watch the crafty, and stand up
against the arrogant. There will be no child's
play about it. Every Republican will have to
perform his part like man. In the South, our
cause has few friends, and still fewer who dare
avow their friendship for it. In the North, we
have many open enemies, and not few pro-
fessed friends who would desert to the enemy
If they thought success beyond our reach.
Against all these obstacles have we to contend;
and not only have we to contend with them,
but We must conquer, or they will conquer us.
Are We. as party, prepared for this great
contest?
We should have no hesitancy in answering
this question affirmatively, If our party had
thorough organization. As things now are it
may be as well TO speak the truth plainly, and
let the people know where they stand. 1t is
well known that we must, next spring, or early
IN the summer, hold National Convention.
1t is equally well known that some preliminary
steps must be taken, before such Convention
can be called together. Now, whose duty is it
TO take those preliminary steps? In each
Northern State there is Republican Central
Committee, the province of which is to call
State Conventions and to take cognizance Of
such matters NAV be deemed of general i'm
portance to the party in the State. As we
have never vet held a National Convention, so
We have no National Committee but would it
not seem well, under the present state Of things,
TO let the Chairman OF each State Central Com
mittee act as a member OF the National Com
mttee pro temporel We know of no more
feasible plan. Let these Chairmen meet, at
some convenient place, soon possible.
Let them issue call far National Conven-
ton, and specify in their call the time and place
of holding it. We shall them in reality, be an
organized National party. AT present, we are
somewhat as the Thirteen Colonies were at
the breaking out of the Revolutionary War
all acting together the same platform, but
without any general organization. We are
held together, as they were, by the same com
mon principles and by the same common dan
ger but the time has come when more dei-
mite bond of union is necessary.
The call for the Democratic National Conven-
ton has been issued. The call for the Know
Nothing National Convention has been issued.
The former party viii adopt ProSlavery plat
form; if the latter shall adopt an Anti Slavery
platform, the whole Southern wing of the Order
will secede--if Pro-SaVery platform, the North
srn wing will secede.@ A compromise, such as
the Wings attempted in 1852, will be failure.
As a National party, the Know Nothings cannot
unite; divided, they cannot succeed. Let us,
thep perfect a thorough organization, adopt
liberal platform, and the Northern wing of the
Order will be with AS; for it will never venture
into the Presidential campaign alone.
We are aware that portion Of the Republi-
can press Of Ohio advises delay. Why should
We delay? Should we await the result of the
Know Nothing Convention in Philadelphia?
We shall, II We do, lose three months Of precious
time; and what shall we gain? Nothing-ab
solutely nothing. Nay, shall lose character
with the people; for cautious timidity is a trait
which Americans will not tolerate. That Con
vention will be a failure the South will not
YIELD; the North dare not. Are we waiting
for the action of Congress-? That BODY may
not adjourn before next September; and the
Republican party should govern its action, in
stead of being governed by it. Are we waiting
for the people to form their opinions on the
great question of the day? They have already
formed their opinions, and are waiting for the
Republican party TO effect National organiza-
ton. To delay any longer, would be to forfeit
their confidence.
There need he no II about The Convention will
either reaffm the l2Ih ignore the question OF
Slavery, and run q Compromise National acquiescent
candidate. The Northern wing of the Order will
he with but The ANS ,qc,ubcrs OF will gene
rally separate from H. and unite with us-Ed. Era.