The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-01-17
ONE VOICE FROM INDIANA.

BLOOMING GROVE, la, Dec. 70, 1855.
To the Editor OF the National Era:
L have been reading your paper attentively
for some time, and am panied to observe the
position you see proper to take on some CUES
tons which are now of vital importance to
our common country. allude more particu.
larly to your course in regard to the American
party. 1t appears, that to your distorted vision,
you can see nothing in their principles to COM
mend, nothing in their actions but what you
can condemn. You virtually charge them
with being the ally of the Slave PowerJ>the
covert if not the open enemy of the Republican
movement.
Now, sir, am member of this American
party-of this Know Nothing party, if you will.
acted with it when the term Ozark Lantern
Society" might with some degree of propriesy
be applied to it. then admired its principles,
while condemned its secrecy. And now, that
it has boldly flung its banner to the breeze,
think it no disgrace to be found among its ad-
herents. l fatter myself that know the prin-
cipes of the American party, if not better, at
least as well, as you or any other map can
know them, who is not identified with tem
and "speak that which l know" when say
that the American party North is sound o. the
Slavery question. They view this as the ssseat,
the absorbing question; but while they do this,
though they be, which are worthy our after lion,
and demand our care and consideration. Ard
herein lies the gulf which your efforts are end
ing to make impossible between the Anne lean
and Republican parties. While you thin all
our energies should be directed agains the
Slave Power alone, they believe that other inter-
ests should not be wholly lost sight of IL the
impending contest. You have but I" one iC ca !"
a good one, we admit but still it is but Que
idea.
Now, as it is a fixed principle that all good
attributes harmonize, that all Just principles
agree, and that between correct ideas there is
no discord, is it not possible that great, q
good party, may exist, for the promotion Of a
plurality of ideas or principles, provided these
principles be good The Americans belieye
that it is; and while they are willing to make
any concession which does not involve sscri-
fee of principle, they will not tamely consent
to become the tool of any man who is opposed
to their cherished principles.
They believe, that while the battle-cry should
be, No more slGpe territory" we shoule not
wholly overlook other and important iEaues.
They believe, that while with the right haas we
grasp the sword, to repel aggression from with
iu, with the left we may hold the dagger, % re-
pulse the enemy from without. They be ieve,
that if we should succeed in stemming tb en-
ward tide of Slavery, we may also find OPP
portunity to effect needful reform in our latu-
ralization laws, that we may place restriction
on the influx of paupers and criminals aopg
US, and that we may administer rebu &c to
those demagogues who would pander t. the
prejudices of the ignorant foreigner, and ihflse
a healthy American sentiment into the m! sses.
They engage in no crusade against the for
eigner who seeks our shores they wish to de-
prive him of no right; they offer to him the
protection of our RIGOROUS stars and stripes. But
while they concede all this, they insist that the
Government should be in the hands of the
American People. What is there in this, to
which ye Republicans object? Let it not be
said that the foregoing does not present a fir
synopsis of the aims of the American party.
That there are fanatics and bgots in it, freely
admit; but they are the exception, and not the
rule; the masses contend for the principles, as
have stated them. t
Now, what is there so dissimilar IL the
American and Republican parties, thai they
may not harmonic? Why not, discardiLx the
ultraists and fanatics of both parties, meetlhpon
a middle ground-a ground that demanSS no
sacrifice of opinion on either side, and, utited.
presents an unbroken front to our advers' hes?
So take a case in point: Why might n the
American and Republican parties have hited
on Lewis d. Campbell, and elected him, a they
might have done, Speaker of the How Sc of
Representatives? 1t was not done, and *'here
lies the blame? Mr.. Campbell was soul, d on
the Slavery question, and the Republicans
would not have abated one 1.-THE of their iDde-
pendence, by giving him their support. But,
unfortunately, he had more than one idea, and
this proved fatal to his election.
One more idea, and am done. You appear
to think, that in the battle for Freedom we may
confidently rely on the support Of the foreign
ers. Never was there greater mistake. We
find them throwing their influence, almost uni
versally, with the Old Line or Administration
party, which is equivalent to opposing Freedom
and Temperance. Their ignorance of our Ian.
guage, of our laws, our Government, our insti-
tutions, makes them an easy prey for the dema-
gogue who approaches them in the sacred
name of Democracy-a name now sadly pros
tituted from its original meaning.
While the Anti-Slavery party, then, gladly
receives into its ranks not only them, but all
others who may join its standard it should be
careful how it relies on the support Of those
who have shown by their antecedents that they
may not be trusted.
In conclusion, then, let me say, it is time
that the friends of Freedom were united; for,
unless there be unity of action in the approach
ing contest, we shall again be cursed with
Pro-Slavery Administration. Let Anti-Slavery
men pause, and consider well, ere it be too late.
Respectfully, X. ID. SWIFT.