Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-07-15

| they were would the change improve thell
condition? Would they live easier or hap
pier? Would they be elevated IN the scale Of
moral being, and would their ideas of civiliza
ton and chris ianity be more expanded2 Let
any man who seeks an answer to these ques-
tons study the condition of the free blacks OF
the North. Freedom to them, without political
and social equality with the whites, for which
they are unfit, is mockery; "the word of prom
ise to the ear to be broken to the hope" II
may be, fellow citizens, that there are those
amongst us who would be willing to assign
equality 10 the colored race. If there be any
such, would advise them to compare the sin
of degrading our race, with that of slavery in
| its present form, and then, if perfectly satisfied
with the policy, to commence the practice
themselves. do not pretend to find remedy
for the sad condition of the colored race, though
| feel as much sympathy for them as most men.
| only insist that those who are supplying the
| fountains of bitter agitation, and poisoning the
channels of intercourse between sister States,
should tell us, what to do, or cease their unwise
clamors. Now, do not misunderstood me,
| am no advocate of African slavery simply
look at the question as l find it, under the
| Constitution, and the alternatives presented.
"Then, again. / should be glad if those who
| are constantly attempting to tarnish the fame
| of our country by overdrawn pictures of what
they term the national sin of African servitude,
would point US to the spot on the face of the
earth, or name the period of its history, in
| which the condition Of the African is, or was,
better than at present in the United States.
When and where did he enjoy greater political
comforts or higher degree Of mental culture?
When more of freeman? When and where
has he stood higher in the scale of civilization
Mr.. Evans, Of the Senate, who has examined
the subject thoroughly, says that there is no
spot where an equal number live as well as the
slaves of the South. In what instance has
large community given evidence of capacity
for government? They we're not freemen be-
reft Of liberty when brought to our shores; but
slaves of the lowest grade slaves to their own
countrymen. History tells US that Africa has
been a country Of slaves and masters" Park
and Denham, and other travellers describe
society as in the lowest stage of barbarism. If
it we're possible, then, to return these people to
the country and condition of their ancestors,
the act would be an outrage upon humanity
and civilization.
"And yet there are those who would hazard
our happy Union in this vain effort-who would
bring ruin upon the white, because they can
not elevate the colored race. They are mad
men.
But wish you to look at the joint or COM
bned enemy for moment No one has failed
| to notice the efforts which are being made to
bring about a fusion between the Republicans
and Know Notbings in the North. The first
coincidence is, that the New York Know-notb-
ing Convention, and the Philadelphia Black
Republican Convention, both nominated Mr..
Fremont for President. Then, again, they
have united at different points, on State and
local officers In Pennsylvania, for instance,
they have but one ticket. 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 rea-
son that with few honorable exceptions the
Know nothings are Black Republicans. Dis
similar as are their purposes they will unite, if
it be necessary, to secure Office and spoils. The
examples we have in this State, should satisfy
us on this point. Now let us bring them in
juxta position and study the whole picture.
The Abolitionists, alias Republicans, are agi-
| tated to distraction about the hardship of the
| African slave; they are devoted to his inte-
rests, are determined to sever his chains, and to
elevate him in this scale Of moral and political
being. This is their faith and purpose.
"1he Know.nothings, on the other hand. are
pledged to prescribe all foreign born and Cath
Ollie citizens from civil Office, and thus degrade
large class of white citizens. They are not
| for the African, but they against the Irish
man and the German, the Frenchman and the
| Welshman, &c. 1t is perceived, then, that the
success Of Republication is the triumph of the
| colored race whilst the triumph Of Know
nothingism is the signal for the prostration Of
large class of white citizens. Now / can
hardly see how this business can be managed
on joint account It's practical workings pre-
sents sad difficulties. The negroes and the
foreigners can never stand on the same plat
form. Fremont, if elected, will be half Repub-
lican and half Know-nothing, for he will be the
embodiment of the views of all his friends.
Then how would he meet his obligations?
Would he put the negroes up and the foreigners
down, or pice rersa! Either horn of the diem.
ma would be distressing. The most reasona.
bile solution is, thnt as the Republicans and
Know nothings had triumphed on joint ac-
count, he would divide his favors. He would
redeem his obligations to the Republicans by
going in for the colored race, land in like man.
ner lie would redeem his faith to the Know moth
ings, by prescribing all foreign born and Cath.
Ole citizens from Office. can see no other rea
sonable version. But there are other phases Of
this fusion which find it difficult to solve. For
instance, cannot understand how those Adolf
tionists, whose sympathies have been so
on grounds Of humanity and liberality, can SO
readily fraternize with a party whose avowed
purpose is to prescribe white citizens, and de-
grade them to condition but little above that
of the blacks. i had supposed that when the
benignant feeling of benevoence got posses
sion of the human heart il would be broad
enough TO cover the white as well as the black
race. And then, again, how can the Repub
licans with any show Of sincerity, denounce
the repeal of the Missouri line, because of their
reverence for compacts and good faith and
then make common cause with midnight dy
nasty, whose avowed purpose is to break COM
pacts to disregard the Constitution and laws,
and violate the faith of our fathers, for the pur.
pose of subverting rights and privileges con-
ferred 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-" he had any reference to fusion like