The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-01-17
THE ACCOUNT SUMMED UP.
-, n. H., Dec. 81, 1855,

-, N. IT,, Dec. 81, 1855.
To the Editor ofthe National Era:
DEAR SIR: We regret exceedingly to see such
thrusts made in the Era against the American
party. In New Hampshire, Americanism and
Republicanism are the same, which YOU NAV
see, by the election of our delegation in Con.
gress, which could not have been elected, but
by the efforts of the American party and it is
generally so in New England. We expect a
separation in the party, and care not how
soon. We think, by treating the American
party kindly, and proper Efforts being made at
Washington, by those interested in the union
of the American party North and the Republi
can, that something might be effected, 80 that
they might unite on one candidate for the
Presidency; and it seems that great RESPONSE
bihty rests upon the aiding men of the two
parties, at the present time, to effect so desira
BILE an object, and we hope nothing will be
thrown IN the way to prevent it. drop this,
not for publication, but that you may fully ua.
derstand our position.
AS we omit the name OF the writer of the
foregoing, and his post office address. he will
pardon US if we use his note as an occasion for
some comments.
On the first page of the Era may be found
both
Anti-Slavery, but taking precisely opposite
views of Know Nothingism and its influence.
Every day, our subscribers, renewing their
papers, have something to say on the same
subject. Ninety-nine hundredths of them con-
denim Know Nothingism, deplore its influence
on the Anti-Slavery movement, and are alarm.
ed at the indications of its tendency to divide
the free States, and again to consign them to
the bondage of the Slave Power.
Now, We assume no right of dictation or de.
nuncation. 1t is not for us to read the hearts
of men, or pronounce judgment upon their
motives. We have never arraigned the integ.
rity or patriotism of the masses belonging to
the Wing. the Democertic, or the Know Moth
ing Parties: we have never questioned the
| Anti-Slavery purposes of individual adherents
Of any of them. We deal with principles, and
systems, and parties, not persons. We may
denounce wrong principle, expose bad sys.
tenn, war against party that proposes to com
NIT, or whose policy tends to shield, a greai
Injustice, without mourning the charge of pro
scription or illiberality.
| OPiiiiOho HI ICSotu W Tue SO-calicC
American Order are too we'll known t.
need repetition at this time. Its principles
aims, and method of action, we have steadfastly
opposed from the beginning, without abate
ment or compromise.
But, it is its relations to the Anti SLAYER,
movement, and to the next Presidential. Cues
ton, which now chiefly concern us. Here W,
shall have the concurrence of many who nigh
differ from us in other respects.
The uniform policy of the Slave Power ha
been, to have two so-caled national Parties
one pledged to carry out actively its aggressiv,
policy, the other pledged to suppress agitatio,
on the question of Slavery, by passive acqui
escence in its usurpations, in other words, i,
all existing arrangements in relation to it. A
one or the other has been sure to win, whateve
interest might lose, the Slave Interest has, il
this way, always been the gamer. The so-calle,
Democratic party has represented the idea Q
Propagandism or aggression-the old WIFI
Party represented the idea of Passivity or acqui
escence. One would annex Texas, the other
'acquiesce in it. One would wage war agains