The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-10-21
THE NATIONAL ERA: WASHINGTON D. c. OCTOBER 1858


been a separate organization of the American
Party, to any marked extent; in all o: them,
excepting Pennsylvania, the victor hiss, been
the Republican Party, acting upon its ayowed
Principles.
In view of these facts, how can any nan of
common sense, sincerely desirous of overthrow
ing the present Administration, proJdse to
dispense with the only Party which, in 1856,
proved its ability to contend for the Pre- sidency
with the Democracy, and which, sinae that
time, has given evidence of progress and in
creased vitality?
| Pennsylvania, as we have often sal is an
exceptional State. The Conservative iffuence
is strong-the advocates of Tariff arr exact
| ing-the Native American Sentiment is dis
posed to be intolerant--the Anti-Slaverg Prin-
ciple has not yet subordinated all these ele'
menss. We do not undertake to dictate 70 our
friends in that State how or on what bsids they
shall act, what combinations they shall form
what issues they shall make. The main body
of the Opposition in 1856 voted for Fremont,
and the inference is fair that it lie Republican.
The great ma jority of those who voted sor Mr..
Fillmore, and thus gave the State to ir. Blu
chansn, will hardly repeat that folly.s They
now show disposition to act with the aepub-
licans; but surely they cannot expect tist the
policy adopted in that State to secure combined
action among the various elements of the OPP
position, can ever be Nationolized.
Other States are not in the position o Penn
sylvanis. In few, if any, does the Tariff Dues
ton enter as a subject of Party arrange
In few, has the American Party (F-lsmore
American) distinctive existence. IL, none,
is the Conservative Influence troubleson 9. In
nearly all, the Anti-Slavery Sentiment, or Re-
publieanism, lie supreme. Would it not oe we'll
for Republican journals in Pennsylvanip to i'm
press these facts upon the Opposition n that
State, while yet warm with its success
Tha Philadelphia North american fejoices
for many reasons over the result of the 9 ection,
especially, however, because it will enable
Pennsylvania to determine the issues aad the
candidates of 1860!
Let US understand each other. The osition
in which that State has placed itself, " Il GER
tainly give its views and wishes weight in the
National Republican Convention that saall be
called to organize Party action for 1867; but
no State can claim the right to dictate,-.- and
10 State ought to look exclusively to is, own
peculiar exigencies. The Opposition in Penn
sylvaaia ought to be educated to higher ma.
tionality than such an idea would imply The
issues of 1860 are already determined, aot by
this I,an or that man, this organization Or that
organization, this platform or that plftform,
but Ivy events which Parties cannot arrest,
event1 which have rendered the conGi.t be.
tween theSlave Power and the non sla.-ehold.
ers o the country inevitable, and male this
copftt tie paramount issue, for the present.
for 1850. and forever, till it be settled. This
is thp prevailing feeling in the Repl blican
Party, which. divides with the Slave nemoc.
racy he voters of the Union and wi atever
Pennsylv mia may feel about Tariff, about
Ameficanism, or about "Nationalityj' she
must elect now, and in 1860, between those
two Earties, and the candidates who sh, i. rep
resent them. There can be no substitu ion of
an American, Or Conservative, or rs riff, or
Peoples Party, TOR the Republican organi-
zatior. To attempt such a project would be a
waste of time; to succeed in it, would be to
insure ruinous and disgraceful defeat Tie only
effective agency we have to work with is the
Republican Party, and the sooner all classes
of the Opposition in Pennsylvania an 1 else
where, recognise this fact, and act upon it like
--;~- -, ~-a~--~.i-e -----,s
and IS unexceptionable as possible, Without
forcing upon it burdens which it canno bear,
issues which tend to division, leaders VII, have
always stood arrayed on principle aga INST it,
and pol cy of indirection, evasion, or cpnpro-
mise, the sooner will the fearful conflict be
decided, We great issue settled, and the People
be lett at liberty to bestow more attention upon
interests now necessarily subordinate. -