American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-06-21
WILLARD FILLMORE.
!. THE oMrx xssUr,"

article from the Parkersburg Gazette.
1t is right to the point.
Some persons maintain that Slavery
presents the only issue of the coming
contest They ignore all other ques-
tions, sink all other subjects, and strive
to make people mount their chosen
hobby, face one way or the other, and
shut their eyes to all things else. This
course of argument is common to DEM
ocrats and Republicans; both these
parties insist upon the single qucs-
tion;;" each urges its ssone idea" with
force and violence, and demands that
all others should take sides for or a.
gainst its special doctrine--and for or
against that only.
This is one of the most adroit and
crafty tricks of the great enemy. AS
above stated, lit is common to both Dem
ocrats and Republicans, between which
parties there exists the most cordial
sympathy, in their dread and hatred of
Americanism. Both hope thus toprey
upon our party. In the North, where
public sentiment is o,tts-slavery, the
anxious American is taken aside, and
told that his views are all right
Americans should rule America, and
foreign influence ought to be crushed
but then this contest is between free
dom and bondage, and every american
ought to strike for liberty; let us put
down slavery, and then we'll throttle
foreignism!
Attic South, where pro-slavery SEN
timent predominates, some jealous
propagandist will pluck your button,
bcsiege your ear and graciously inform
you: that, in the main, he concurs in
your views; foreign immigration as
the bane of our republic, and Catholi-
cism is slowly but surely undermining
our institutions; Fillmore, too, is fine
man,, q safe man, and, at any other time
would make capital President; but,
now, he has no chance--thi8 fight be-
ing exclusively confined to the Demo
Gratis and Republicans-lct us first stifie
abolitionism, and then we'll unite to
wipe out foreign influence! So they
concur in council, each expecting to be-
guile his auditor and win him over to
the ranks Of the foe.
Prudent Americans should turn deaf
ears and cold shoulders to all such
"honey fugling." The facts Of both
these parties are as false as their
friendly overtures are insidious. SIA-
VERY does otpresent "the only issue"
of the pending canvass. Indeed, Sla-
very presents no real issue for national
adjudication. Guaranteed by the con-
stitution and guarded by the laws Of
the land, Slavery may defy the world
in arms and laugh its foes to scorn--
they cannot abate one jot or title Of
its just rights or substantial privileges.
Constituted as the general government
now is, no real change can be effected
in the aspect Of the slavery question.
The South commands, absolutely, one
half of the United States Senate, and,
among the members constituting the
other half, there will always be found
patriots enough TO resist and repulse
any attempt to encroach upon the char
tered immunities of the "peculiar in
stitution."
Freedom enjoys similar protection.
The North is in no real danger. With
complete control Of the House Of Rep
resentatives, tho "area of slavery"
cannot be extended one foot without
her sanction. Neither section is likely
to suffer from that system or its incl
dents, in the next four years. Why,
then, all this hue and cry about slavery?
The answer is obvious. Slavery is O.
tender theme--a sore subject at both
ends of the Union ; people will become
excited and fanatioal on this topic, when
nothing else would prompt them to &C.
ton. Designing demagogues and sci.
fish politicians can make use of this
excitability to promote their purposes.
Slavery is made the bug bear to fright
en- sober citizens out Of their propriety,
and drive them into such excess as
will best serve the end of those who
crave power only to abuse it. They
blind their hopes to real and Dital
Issues, in order that they may lead
them astray; they erect q scare-crow
Of the imagination, in order to screen
actual danger from the public gaze.
With regard to the assumption which
Is so readily and complacently set forth
by our enemies, viz: That our party
has emo chance in the present contest
--that is simply begging the question.
Americanism has taken deep root in
the American mind its principles are
widespread and general. No other
sentiment perysdes the populsr heart
to an equal extent. In proof Of this,