The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-02-22
Nign Dohnss at Philadelphia ana Pittsbur:
-rhe Know Nothing and Niger Worship.
Ing Conventions Oh to-day.

Nign Dohnss at PnuadeIphta ana Pittsbur:.
-rhe Know Nothing and Niger Worship
Ing Conventions To-day.
1t will be seen from our telegraphic des.
patches tt at the special National Council OF
the American Order convened in PhiIadel-
phia on Monday last, for the purpose of recon
structipg the party, its rituals, constitutions,
ceremonials, platforms, &c, upon some "a.
tioDal and national basis had "a high time"
yesterday upon the everlasting stumbling
block OF the "nigger question"
The twelfth section" the requirements of
the constitution, mo more, no less" and the
restoration Of the Missouri compromise" and
other things, were the expedients discussed.
The South seems to have agreed to drop the
twelfth section" but wanted something tan.
gible in exchange for it; and were decidedly
suspicious of an impracticable double-faced
humbug in the proposed compromise of fol
lowing slavery as far as the constitution, mo
more, no less.' Senator Sumner, for example,
declares positively that the Fugitive Slave
law is unconstitutional-that the extension of
slavery is unconstitutional, &c.-while, on the
other hand, the Know Nothings of the South
hold that the Fugitive law is the essence OF
the constitution, and that slavery may be
constitutionally extended into new States and
new Territories, and that it is right that it
should be.
With the meeting of such extremes, repre-
sented by the anti-democratic chivalry Of the
South on the one hand, and by soch ra npaat
abolitionists as Lieut. Governor Ford, of Ohio,
on the other, whose hostility to slavery ia as
intense and "undying" as that of Gen. Wilson,
Seward or Giddings, what else could be ex-
pected than the perils of another separation of
the great American party by Mason and Dix
It is but the old farce Of the New York hards
and sOfts, under new name, with more hume
rous and miscellaneous materials, and ION a
larger scale of operations.
On this day-the anniversary of the illus.
trious and immortal Washington-the regular
National Council or Convention of the Amer.
can party is appointed to meet in Philadelphia,
for the express and exclusive object of nomi-
mating national ticket for the Presidency
that is, provided always that the constitution
of the Order, its rituals, ceremonials, oaths,
grips, signs and passwords, dark lanterns, pro-
scriptions, exceptions, and principles Of all
kinds, shall have been 30 modified, codified and
accommodated to the universal and special ne
cessities Of the heretofore disorganized brother
hood as to render them in fact, intact-a har-
monious, living, active, hopeful and practical
national party. But if these prerequisites are
not fulfilled, then the nomination may be
postponed, or there may be two or
three tickets nominated, or the whole
concern may be dissolved, leaving nothing in
the world but olive Oak George Law and
bis "live oak" principles, and the live oak
clubs at his back, to tell the lamentable story
of the general wreck. Whatever else NAV
fail, whatever else may be done, with any
other nomination, NJ without any other nomi-
nation, of one thing we are privately inform
ed that "sink or SWIM" Live Oak George
will be brought out to stand his hand around
the whole course on the great derby day.
of next November. How be will come out is
horse of totally different complexion. We
feel, however, comparatively easy concerning
the nominating convention, under the pre-
sumption that whether they make or break,
Z Live Oak George Law" will survive.
: .cIl., =. -~..-. ." s.--.I..- -. No.. j.