Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-12-25
Abolitionism.

The journal, to show what little abolition
ism existed in the late canvass, refers to the
vote Of the State of New York, where the
aggregate number peHed for Gsrrit Smith
was 165-bsing about three votes to each
county.
What necessary connection there is be-
tween the premises, rs stated by the jour
nal, and the conclusion at which il arrives, is
more than we can see. There was Just as
much abolitionism, in the late canvass, as
there has been in any preceding one, and we
might, We think, say there was vastly more
of this elsment than in any former contest.
The only remarkable feature about it is.
that it has exhibited itself in alliance with
faction between whom and il there was q
strond affinity of sentiment and purpose.
Instead of sdhering to an independent can
date Of their own. the radical abolitouists of
the country united in support Of Fremont,
on the principles Of the Philapelphia plat
form. In 80 doing they did not lose their
distinctive character as abolitianists, or sban-
don single plank of their old party plat
FORM As was proclaimed by Julian, Garri-
son, Wendell Phillips and others, every abc-
litionist OF the country "could stand upon
the Philadelphia platform and. without do
ing violence to its language, preach the whole
anti-slavsry gospel" They did stand upon
il, spoke and voted for Fremont aud other
csdidatss Of the party, and were publicly
cheered and spplauded for the bold and rad
ical abolition sentiments which they promul-
gated.
So far from proving that there was but lit
tie Abohtionism in the late canvass, as is as
sumed by the Journal, the facts to which
that paper calls attention, prove simply that
the abolition element, instead of conining
itsslf to an organization embracing none but
Its own open and avowed friends, sought the
wide field of operation that was opened to it
by union with the Black Republicans. In
doing so, they were not required to adopt a
new standard of faith. What they had been
accustomed to regard as orthodox under the
old regime, was equally orthodox under the
new. By the alliance, Abolitionism was not
sloughed of, but became a fixed and recog-
nized element Of Black Republicanism.
When the Journal. therefore, undertakes to
ascertain the amount of Abolitionism that
was exhibited In the recent canvass, it will
have to look elsewhere than at the vote poll
ed for Gerrit Smith. No sppreciable portion
of the great army Of "shriekers" rallied
around tie standard of their great file leader.
Under his advice and direction, they co-ope-
rated with those who were already more
than half way up the anti-slavsry ladder,
and who would, in good time, plant them
selves upon its topmest round.
Nh. Brooks ULTmATUM-Mr. P. s.
Brooks recently delivered speech to his
constituents at Laurens, IN which he stated
that. though he considered Mr.. Buchanan
"sound on the slavery question:" he did not
hope nything from his administ. stion for the
South. He stated that the only conditions
upon which he would agree to compromise,
were
lQaL eaCQ OtaIo elOuIQ Do peIulltbSu IO
collect Its legitimate share Of the public rev.
enue uuder its own laws, and BY its own Of
fceu. Secondly, that the representation of
each State in the Federal Legislature shall be
based upon the entire population; SO that ev-
cry slave shall count one, instead of, as now,
five slaves counting only three. Thirdly,
that the Offices of President and Vice Presi-
dent shall be filed, one from the Northern
and the other from the Southern States, and
that No bill shall become law without the
concurrent signature of both.
We think it of the very last importance
that the views aid feelings of Mr. Brooks
should be consulted and conciliated. A man
who holds in his hand the power to break
up the Government, at any moment as he
boasted he did, three or four months ago
must, by all means, be most tenderly treated.
No telling wha. may come of crossing tn,
whims of "a spoiled child"