The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-07-08

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secure authentic documentary evidence of the
workings of the Free Labor System in the
West Indies.
ONE THING AT TIME-THK QUESTION OF
TODAY. H.f
| The North american is not satisfied with
our comments upon the Philadelphia Meeting.
1t was not called, it says, " to oppose the Ad-
ministration, as a distinct purpose, nor to or
ganize Party;" and, in behalf of the partici
pants in the meeting, it disclaims any purpose
of abandoning "their course on Lecompton and
its allied questions"
i We are pleased to hear this, but our cotem-
porary must admit that there was much ground
for an opposite opinion. The resolutions and
the speeches all referred to the Tariff as the
paramount Political Question the proceedings
were directed towards getting up similar dem.
onstrations in other States; the Pennsylvania
Enquirer characterized the meeting as inaugu.
rating the Peoples Party, and invited the co.
operation of such men as Willard Fillmore and
William b. Seward, John M. Bolts and N. P.
Banks; the National Latelligencer and Balti-
more American hailed the movement as an in
dcation that Parties were about to resume their
original positions, excluding all sectional is,
sues, that is, all questions relating to Slavery
other prints intimated that this was the only
way in which an alliance could be effected with
the liberal, Union-loving men of the South and,
just few days before, party had been formed
in Delaware, embracing the Tariff, Squatter Sow
ereignty, and Native Americanism, but avoiding
the slightest reference to the Issues that have
of late years agitsted the Public Mind.
We entered cur protest against all such
views. They might suit certain gentlemen of
the South, whose circumstances disable them
from acting directly against the Slave Power,
and who yet desire to continue in political life
but where is their political strength2 What are
their qualifications for political leadership ?
. Where are the masses of the voters on whom
we must rely for the overthrow of Pro-Sla-
7 very Administration In tie Free States.
But do those gentlemen represent their ideas
and feelings? Could they command their sup
port? Messrs. Crittenden and Bell are esti.
mable gentlemen-h always devoted
to the Union, free from unworthy preiudices,
disposed to deal justly: but they are not Anti.
Slavery men; they do not take the same view
of the action of Slavery as political element
that the Republicans do; they do not propose the
same policy it would be unjust and injurious
to them to represent them as Republicans.
} ULder present circumstances, they cannot come
over to that Party-that Party cannot 90 over
to them. No compromise, no concession, no
evasion, no substitution of new issues, no in.
genious attempts at coalition, con bring to pass
either event.
We want no Tariff Party, no unmeanipg
Peoples Party, no new Party at all. Pro,Sla-
very rule is to be overthrow; the ideas aud
principles of the opponents oSSavery are % be
stamped upon the Government. This is the
wolk of to day. For this PURPOSE the Republi
can Party sprang into being for this purpose
it is pre-eminently adapted. No other orsaui
cation is fitted for the work. Why then embar.
rass it with other issues? One thing at time
The National Bank Question had it's day-so
had the Tariff-ss had Land Distribution and
Internal Improvements. They have been passed
upon, settled, set aside, or postponed. The
Question now is, Shall Slavery or Freedom
control Congress, the Chief Executive, the Su.
preme Court? Clearly the masses of the Peo
pie have determined that this Question shall
first be settled. Messrs. FcoTE and SIMMONS
may think Home Industry far more important
the National Lntelligencer may deprecate sec
tional issues the North american NAV sup
pose the whole country distressed by the neg.
lect of it's commercial ard manufacturing in
terests-still, the fact remains, the One Ques-
ton Of Freedom or Slavery, as the controlling
element of National rule, must first be settled
We cannot be mistaken as to the popular in
dications. What are the issues in Iowa. Iii
nois, Maine, New Hampshire Vermont? Look at
their resolutions, nominations, and elections
Nothing about Tariffs, or Home Valuation, or the
"old fashioned Henry Clay PLATFORM" every
thing about the usurpatio1s of Slavery and pur
poees of Freedom The People will not think
of anything else. All the other free States will
stand on the same Platform-the Tariff will not
be substituted for Liberty, or engrafted upon
the creed and policy promulgated in Philadel-
phia in 1856. 1t must take its place with other
subordinate questions. Doubtless i. will be an
element of the elections in Pennsylvania, but in
a majority Of the States, men will be chosen to
Congress with little or no reference to it. 1t
viii not form party question-better that it
should not.
If we concurred in the Tariff opinions of the
North american we should discountenance all
attempts to commit the Republican Party, as
such, to any creed upon the subject. 50 con-
Trajectory are the views entertained by its va
rious sections, that the attemp. to exact uni.
formity if persisted in, would be sure to pro-
duce dissension, alienation, probably division,
and result finally in continuing power in the
hands that now abuse it. ~N
We do not, as the North american, supposes,
propose to disregard the current expenses of
the Government, its accommodating debts, It's re-
sources ITO "ignore our budget" This is
subject that must always be attended to by
members of Congress of all Parties, whatever
the controlling issue may have been in their
election; but we are quite willing to leave