The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-08
WASHINGTON, d. G..
From the ~ Y. Evening Post, April 30.
THE MEETING at THE TABERNACLE.
THE CAMPAIGN FOR FREEDOM OPENED!
New York Speaking to the Union.

NJ. n. J.. A vi.
The meeting at the Tabernacle last night
was every way worthy of the distinguished body
Of citizens al whose call il was assembled. At
an early hour the vast area of that capacious
edlfce was thronged by one of the most intelli-
gent and manly audiences which we have seen
assembled together 10 this metropolis. 1t con-
tanned none who are attracted to public meet
ings by bands of music, bonfres, and merce-
nary professions; for no such appeals were
made.
Punctual to the hour specified in the call, the
business OF the evening was entered upon, and
at half past seven o'clock the meeting was
called to order by the Hon. K. ID. Morgan,
Chairman OF the Committee Of Arrangements,
who said:
Feow-citizens The hour for which this
meeting called having arrived, / have been
requested by the Committee of Arrangements
to call it to order, and to nominate a President
for the evening. l propose to you the Hon.
Benjamin +. Butler Loud cheers.
This was carried unanimously.
Mr.. Butler took his place amidst vehement
cheering at the conclusion of which, he re-
marked that he had come there in an infirm
condition Of health, and if he should not have
strength TO remain in his seat until the close OF
the meeting, he must claim their permission to
call one of the Vice Presidents to take his
place.
Anthony ]. Blocker then rose and nomina-
ted the following gentlemen, to act as Vice
Presidents and Secretaries:
Vtce PresidenLs.-Moses Fl. Grinnell, w. C..
Bryant Charles III. Marshall, Gerardus Boyce,
Samuel Delamater, John Pettigrew, Isaac
Sherman, Washington Smith, Rudolph Gar
rigue, Henry j. Raymond, VIM. Curtis Noyes,
Edmund NJ. Young, Isaac II. Bailey, John w.
Edmonds, James S. Kelly, John f. Butter
worth, Benz. +. Pinckney, John Keyser, ID. ID.
Field, Henry A. Hurlbut, Charles A. Stetson,
Orison Blunt, J. III. Townsend, Abraham NJ.
Cozzens John j. Herrick, Robert Emmett, Will
liam Kent, l.. b. Ward, John Stephenson,
Charles A. Dana, Charles Z. Butler, Jonathan
Miller, John l.. Williams j. Il. Webb, Ant'y
Tiemann, Charles Burton, Horace Southmayd,
Charles w. Elliott, Aaron Frank, j. s. Red
field, Erastns c. Benedict, Josiah Rich, b. w.
Bonney S. p. Townsend, John McKisson, VIM.
NJ. Fermilye, S. p. Hunt, George Brown, John
A. G. Gray, Oliver f. Wood.
.SecTetaries.-Wm. II. An;hon, T. S. Berry
James Mckenley, Henry ID. Sedgwick, Angus
tus T. Dow, James r. Spaulding, Henry A.
Chittenden, Bernard Casserly. A. Oakley Hall,
John }. Townsend, Frederick Kapp, Thaddeus
Hyatt.
The nominations were received with much
applause, and the meeting being now COM
pletely organized, the Hon. Benjamin L. Butler
arose and said:
The circumstances under which this meet
ing--comPosed, in large degree, of persons
who never before acted together in a political
organizaIion-has assembled seem 10 derand
from the Chair a few words, by way of intro
duction to the proceedings of the evening.
The object Of our meeting is clearly set
forth in the brief but comprehensive call by
which it has been convened.
1t connects itself with the approaching Presi-
dental canvass, and derives from it some meas
ure of the dignity and Importance which, in
our country, belong to every such election.
Besides the grave questions always involved
IN the choice of the Federal Executive, there
Is connected with the coming election one of
pressing exigency and moment. / refer, it is
almost needless TO say, to that which relates to
the present welfare and future condition of the
Territory of Kansas. The wanton and perfdi-
Gus repeal, by the Congress of 1854, of the Sla-
representation clause in the Missouri compact;
the attempts since made to introduce, by force
and fraud, African bondage into territory dedi-
Gated, by faith and honor, as well as by act OF
Congress, TO Human Freedom; and the trying
circumstances, past and present, of the settlers
IN that Territory, give to this particular ques-
ton, at this juncture, special, concentrated,
and far-reaching interest.
But the rescue of Kansas from Slavery, and
the establishment, within her borders, OF free
simultaneously and gratifying as are, and will
be, these results-are only parts, aud compare
lively small parts, of the work to which We now
are called.
The principles of Human Rights and of Dem
ocratic Liberty, proclaimed in the Declaration
OF Independence, and exemplifed by the acts
and writings of the fathers and founders of the
Republic, are boldly denied by political leaders,
OF all parties, in the South. This denial has
been echoed from the topmost seat of Executive
power, III solemn messages to the Representa-
tives of the people and the States. IL is indus
triously repeated by placemen and placehunters
IN every quarter of the country. 1t is supinely
aequiesced IN by those who are content to fol-
low the traditions and forms of the party with
which they have been accustomed to act with
out caring for the life-giving principles from
which IT derived its being and by which alone
IT can be saved from death and putrefaction.
The real question for the next election is
therefore no less a one than this: Shall the
Federal Government be divorced from its PIES
ent alliance with, and subserviency TO, the
Slave Power; or shall such alliance and sub
servlency, with ever-increasing degradation, be
continued for another term of four years ?
iCheers
This question must be met and answered.
Ii must be met and answered in the right way.
The Federal Government must be brought
back to its first principles. The false theories
and pernlcious schemes of Slavery Propaganda
ism must be rebuked. The Northern men
who. IN the Legislative and Executive Depart
ments, have lent themselves to these theories
and schemes-apostatizing from the faith OF
their fathers, trampling on the interests of their
constituents, and staining the glory of their
country-must be tumbled from their seats.
and, by these and other like demonstrations of
the public will, it must once more be manifest
ed To our own people and to the world, that the
American Union, while it leaves to each State
exclusive jurisdiction and control over all its
domestic institutions, is yet, in its National
character, distinctly and actually a Free Re
public, founded on the broadcast recognition o.
Human Rights, and pledged, so far as it's limited
powers extend, to the protection and diffusion
of these rights. 1t must be seen and known
OF all men. that wherever the flag of our coun
try is unfurled, Freedom is the general ant
cherished rule, Slavery the partial and much
lamented exception. Cheers.
l have an abiding confidence that, whatever
may be the Issue of the coming election, thes,
principles will ultimately triumph. To doub
this would be to distrust not only the virtu,
and intelligence of our people, but the VITALITY
and omnipotence of Truth.
But it is not to be disguised, that the fna
triumph We anticipate will be FASTENED or re
tarded by the results of the next Presidents
Election. This invests it with new and mo
mentous interest, and lays upon every voter
heavy responsibility.
The call under which we have assembled
looks to the Republican Convention, TO be helo
at Philadelphia in June next, for the candi
dates to be supported by the friends of tn,