The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1856-07-26
From the Washington Union
An Overwhelming Argument.

We have rarely read anywhere so power
full an analysis OF the dilemma in which the
conjoined fsnaticisms Of know nothingism
| and abolitionism have been placed, now that
they have formally come together in support
of Fremont, than the following. 1t is por-
ton of the mastery speech Of Hon. VIM.
Bigler, senator from Pennsylvania, delivered
in Independence Square on the 4th of July,
1856. He certainly has presented, in con-
densed and striking form, truthful and con-
yincing picture of the contradictory and sui
cidal position of the allied army. We call
upon the adopted citizen particularly to mark
the point made by Governor Big!cr:
"But l wish you to look at the joint or
combined enemy for a moment No one has
failed to notice the efforts which are being
made to bring about a fusion between the
rrcpublicans and know nothings in the North.
The first coincidence is, that the New York
know nothing convention and the Philadel-
phias black republican convention both no.
minated Mr. Fremont for President. Then,
again, they have united at different points
on State and local officers. In Penn>ylva-
and here they have acted together before,
and may do SO again. They did SO in 1854
and in 1855, and have determined to do so at
the coming October election. This work is
the easier for the reason that, with few
honorable exceptions, the know Eo;hings are
black republicans. Dssimilar as are their
purposes, they will unite, if it be necessary,
to secure office and spoils. The examples
we have in this State should saiisfy US on
this point. Now let Us bring them in jux
taposi,iou, and study the whole PICTURE
Thc abolitionists alias republicans are agi-
tated 70 distraction about the hardships of
the African slave; they are devoted to his
interests-are determined TO sever his chains.
and to elevate him in the scale Of moral and
political being. This is their faith and pur-
pose.
The know nothings. on the other hand,
are pledged to prescribe all foreign born and
Catholic citizens from civil Office, and thus
degrade large class Of white citizens
They are not for the African, but they are
against the Irishman and the German, the
Frenchman and the Welshman, &c. 1t is
perceived, then, that the success Of Tcpub!i-
csuism is the triumph Of the colored race,
whilst TIE triumph Of know nothingi-m IS
the signal for the pIostraticn Of .aFse c.ass
Of white citizens. Now, I can hardly see
how this business can be managed on joint
account. lis practical workings present sad
difficulties The negroes and the foreigners
can never stand on the same platform. Ere
mont, if elected, will he half republican and
half know nothing, fr he will be the en-
bodimcnt Of the views Of all his iriends.
Then, how would he meet his obligations:
Would he put the negroes up and the TO-
reigners down, or ricc rersd' Either horn
of the dilemma ould be distressing. The
most reasonable solution is, that, Is the re-
publicans and know uo.hngs had triumphed
or joint account, he w5lld divide his favors.
He would redeem hjs Obligations 10 the re-
publicaEs iy going IN fOr the co.ored race,
and, in Ike manner, he would .oleem his
faith 10 the know nothings by prescribing al
fOreiga born and Catholic citizens from office.
can see no other reasonable version. But
there are othc. phases of this fusion which
find It difficult 20 solve. For instance,
cannot understand how those aboIitionists
whose sympathies have been SO excited FOR
the African, and for his promotion on grounds
Of humanity and liberaiity, can so readily
fraternize with a party whose avowed pur-
pose is to prescribe white citizens and de
grade them to a condition but title above
that Of the blacks. ! had supposed that
when the bcni-nant feeling Of benevo!cnce
got possession of the human heart, 1t would
be broad enough to cover the white as well
as the black race. And then, again, how
can the republicans, with any show OF sin
cerity, dcnounce the repea! Of the Missouri
line because Of their reverence for compacts
and good faith, and then make common
cause with midnight dynasty, whose avow-
cd purpose is TO break compactS, to disregard
the Constitution and laws, and violate the
faith of our fathers, for the purpose Of sub
verting rights and privileges conferred upon
the foreign born and Catholic citizens:-
These are things which DO not understand
nor do / believe that when Solomon said
there is nothing new under the sum- be had
any reference to n fusion ike this.
"But what is almost as incredible is, that,
in the face of all this startling picture, some
Of the republican presses have the boldness
to claim the German vote for Mr.. Fremont;
and if it be true that coming events cast
their shadows BEFORE we may looN out for
another edition of the farce Of 1852, with
the foreign born citizen on the stage. But
the attempt cannot rise above farce. Sure
II our natuyaized citizens are not TO be de-
ceived again, as they surely will be if they
rely upon any protection but that furnished
by the Constitution and the laws and De-
mocratic administration.