The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-04-19

Anti-Siavery men in a position so contradic-
tory, one in which they would be shorn OF all
moral power, and bring upon the cause of the
Slave the odium of the most disreputable asso-
Citations?
If in New Hampshire the Know Nothing Or
ganization should continue to be Anti-Slavery,
and to fulfil all the demands of the Anti-Slave-
ry Sentiment, it is certain that enough of its
Hunker or Pro-Slavery members will unite with
the Democratic Party, to secure its ultimate
defeat, and then the Anti-Slavery men of that
State will have to stagger under the load OF
Nativism and its mean accessories. 1t 1t
should prove false to the Anti-Slavery Senti-
ment, its Anti-Slavery members will be driven
off, and then, either cease to WELD any intfu-
ence, or 60 to work to form new organization,
under incalculable disadvantages.
And what shall be said of Massachusetts,
The Hunker Democracy is hardly strong enough
there to take the first step for union with the
Conservative Wings. 1t may be that the Wing
leaders themselves may try to reorganize
Wing Party, in the fond hope that it may prove
a nucleus for all the elements of opposition to
Know Nothingism. Meantime we hear of the
rapid growth of the new organization, styled
Know Something's, and, it is said, many liberal
Wings and Free-Soilers are going with that, for
the purpose of breaking up the Ruling Order.
What chaos How good and evil princi-
Piles are mixedl What strange unnatural ALI
ances of opposites! Who is not perplexed and
bewildered?
For ourselves, we adhere to our old position.
We would not only not join the Secret Order,
but not even cooperate with it. Its principles,
aims, and modes of action, are fundamentally
wrong, and we would have nothing to do with
II. 1t is not intended to aid the Anti-Slavery
Cause, and if, by an over-ruling popular Senti-
men, it is compelled in some localities to SUBJ
serve its interests it is at the cost of the perma
nent character and influence of that Cause
Can it be, that among the liberal FreeSoilers,
Wings, and Democrats, of those States, there
is not enough wisdom and energy to devise and
execute some plan for organizing an open, honor
able, a manly Party, in favor of Freedom, with
out regard to color, race, or religion-in favor
of Justice to all, native and foreign born
against all despotism, whether that of Slavery,
or that of majority, imposing secret, extra-ju-
dicial oaths of obedience upon the conscience of
the individual-in favor of the divorce of Slavery
from the Federal Government, and of the d.
vorce of Anti-Slavery from bigoted Nativism?
Would not such a movement, theoretically un-
dertaken, fairly presented, perseveringly urged,
no matter how great the obstacles might at first
appear, soon command the appreciation and
support of the wise and good? Would it not
rescue the many honest men who have been
caught in the meshes Of the Secret Order?
Would it not battle the conspiracy now on foot
among the Hunker Democrats and Wings in
the New England States, to place the Temper
ance and Anti-Slavery forces in a false position,
and by general organization on the issues
raised by the Know Nothings, PROSTATE them,
as the upholders of Prescription, Bigotry, An
ti-Republican Secrecy and responsibility?
Can such a movement be long delayed, without
insuring this very result? Why should it not
begin at once in Massachusetts,? Many of the
wisest and truest friends Of Freedom, Wing,
Democratic, and Independent Democratic, in
that State, have had no part or lot in the new
organization; they condemn its nature rnd ten
denotes; they are anxious to sec it broken up.
Cannot they trust each other? Cannot they
bury the memory of former differences? Can
they not confer with one another, resolve to act
together, and, in placing Massachusetts in her
true position, rs a champion of Freedom, show
our friends in other States how they may re-
deem themselves?
Look again at the signs of the times. Alarm
ing indications gather about u.s. The Secret
Order is sweeping over the South, thus far, al.
most without check, and the prospect is, that it
will knit the Slave States in one phalanx that
shall dictate our next President. The same
Secret Order, separating itself from the Anti
Slavery sentiment, and appearing in its true
character, in Cincinnati, Detroit, Hartford. and
other cities in the free States has effected the
defeat of the anti-Administration forces, and
restored the Hunker Democracy to power, sub
sttuting for the Anti-Slavery ISSUE the odious
issues of Nativism. This is but the beginning
of what may prove most dangerous reaction,
should the friends of Freedom suffer themselves
to be gulled or lulled much longer
And is not the Slave Power rallying its
forces for another fragrant outrage? Kan.
sas has just been overrun by its myrmidons.
Armed bands of Missourians marched into the
Territory on the day of the election, took pos
session of the polls, appointed the Judges and
in some cases not only prevented Free-Soilers
from voting their own ticket, but compelled
them, under threats of violence, to vote for pro-
slavery candidates. Shall this wrong be unre.
dressed, this outrage be endured? Shall Kansas
be abandoned to Slavery, and finally organized
into a slave State? Yes-all this. and more |
IL your Know Nothing organization is not shiv-
cred to atoms, and the People of the North |
Once more aroused to see the real danger that |
threatens the Union and the cause of Free Tn. |
situations.
The Administration is not blind It under. |
stands well enough how the political power of
the free States is weakened by dissensions. how |
public attention is being drawn off from its |
proslavery outrages, how popular feeling
against Slavery has been checked and diverted
by the new excitement and, there are mem |
bers of it who would avail themselves of this
state OF sentiment at the North, to leap at once
to the great object at which the Slave Power
has so long and so pertinaciously aimed-the
acquisition of Cuba. Aye-at this moment,
peace or war is question of Cabinet consulta-
ton-and there is danger that, by some sud-
den act of hostility, we may be as unexpectedly
involved in a conflict with Spain, as we were
IL.