The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-12-15
WASHINGTON, D. C.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 5, 1859.


accomplished. As every hindrance to the re-
sonption Of the Republican name has been en-
ployed, so all the methods of disparagement
will be industriously impressed to belittle the
importance of the restored organization, and
defeat Its patriotic purposes. Invectiyes, cavls,
sneers, hurtle about it, and fall harmlessly as
dack shot fired at granite wall, or the Anti
Slavery protests of most Of our Peoples party
leaders. Iodeed, these last are so deicately de-
hghtful, Of such velvety consistence, that even
Senators Hammond and Davis would relish
their Utilization much as that of the putfballs
Of their BARRIERS. To convey en- adequate idea
of the sybar'tic sensation is not In my coarse
way; tits worthy the felicitous raptures of some
political Keats.
The directors are OF two sorts parties whose
eniicipations Of political profit, based upon
continuance of the tame, non-committal posi-
ton of the Peoples party regarding principles,
are likely to be interiered with, and perhaps
blasted; and another but not numerous class
Of sincere opponents of Slavery and Democratic
corruption generally, constitutionally timid, and
for the time alarmed by the clamors of the
tricksters who are in danger of losing their
market.
The Peoples party of PENNSYLVANIA origina-
ted ia fusion of the Republicans and Ameri-
cans in support of a State ticket at the election
of 1853. Such an assimilation of the two ele-
ments of the Opposition, for purposes of NUM-
opal politics. already existed in Philadelphia.
At the Presidential election of 1856, and the
Gubernatorisl election of the succeeding year,
the two parties were distinctively organized,
and supported separate tickets. To exhibit the
healthy and progressive condition Of the Re-
publican party, contrasted with the decay and
weakness Of the American, at the period OF the
fusion, permit me TO introduce a few figures.
In the Presidential contest of 1856, Fillmore
received, IN round numbers, So coo votes, and
Fremont $4,000, in this State. At the next
election, IN 1857, the American strength had
dwindled to $4,000 for Hazlehurst, while the
Republican poll was 900 for Wimot, the
respective Opposition candidates for Governor.
Thus, while the American vote was diminished
$4,000 from that of the preceding year, the
Republican had decreased less than two thou
sand in the same period. At this Gubernatorial
election the Democratic vote was AZ 900 short
Of that polled for Buchanan. So, if we take
the aggregate falling off and make pro rata
apportionment crediting the Republican party
with the same liability to loss which affected
the other two parties, the vote for Wilmot was
actually thirty per cent better than that for
Fremont. Such was the vigor of the Republi-
can organization when the feeble and fragment
AIRY American element was merged with it, and
the Peoples party constituted.
II VIII be naturally supposed, from these cir
cumstances of formation, that Republican influ-
ences should have prevailed in the councils of
the new party, or, rather, the old Opposition
with the new christening, to which the Repub
licaEs, everywhere in the State outside of It's
metropolis, greatly predominant, had magnan-
imously consented. But in Philadelphia, the
centre Of political action and intrigue the Re
stuhis war min IS flo
and the management Of the new party fell into
the hands Of set OF gentlemen good deal
more disposed to aggrandize themselves than
promote the success of liberal principles or OPP
pose earnestly the perhdy and corruption Of
the Federal Administration. Supremacy self.
ISL, these leaders had come to regard the re-
cent status of the Opposition as a mere con-
trivance to facilitate jobbery. 1t can be no
matter for surprise, therefore. that every oppor-
tuLiiy 10 traduce the Republican party and
sneer al its principles was abundantly i'm
proved. Misrepresentation were multiplied by
compliant and tme-serving press, every dai-
ly published in Philadelphia in the interest of
The Opposition being controlled by the profess
sional politicians already alluded to as accom-
plished intriguers. All these sheets are hostile
10 us, either INDUCING in ayowed enmity or
sneaking depreciation. Money, indeed, might
have Modified some of them, until more money
had persuaded them TO renewed acerbity. Ii
was thought better 10 operate upon them through
the agency Of public sentiment. To give de-
velopment and method to this is the purpose of
the revived Republican organization. Ofcourse.
Al Will succeed, resting il does upon the same
plane with the dominant National Opposition.
A cherished scheme of the Philadelphia man.
ayers Of the Peoples party, for the accomplish
ment Of which they are willing to sacrifice every
suspicion Of Repubhcanism, is an aliliation
with the Anti-Dsmocratic interests of the South
Hence their spleen at the resumption of the
Republican name; hence they who have ad-
vised and adopted it are debauched and
bankrupt rout like that which went out with
Catilinei Few members of our party. indeed.
would object to Presidential nomination from
that quarter, accompanied by sufficient guaran-
ties of adherence to the Republican policy
But to coalesce purely upon a mercenary ba
Sis, TO get possession Of the Federal patronage
will not be tolerated in the present temper of
the people. 1t is probable that a satisfactory
union with the Southern Opposition, except in
Maryland, everywhere unfortunately hopeless
minority, cannot be agreed upon. 1t is certain
that propositions suggesting the abandonment
of the cardinal, underlying idea of the Repub-
hcan creed, will not be entertained The cam.
paign Of 1850 will be fought squarely upon the
Slavery issue, and it is preposterous to suppose
that 1t Is possible to override it in Pennsyl-
vania.
Then some distinguished gentlemen, with as
pirations for exalted honors, who are quite as
busy at political manipulating as modesty will
allow, are also anxious TO stand well with the
South and all sorts and shades of people every.
where. With chameleon facility, they display
colors that shift perplexingly as you shift your
standpoint In this connection, l am told that
the currency has been considerably augmented
of late in this community. An organization,
not particularly committed to anything which
can be objected to by anybody anywhere, must
obviously suit these "high-reaching Bucking-
hams, who are proverbially circumspect.
A few sincere friends of Republicanism al
first objected to distinctive attitude. They
were apprehensivc that another spasm OF
straightout Americanism, or something SINH
larry virulent, would afflict our political system
l believe they are now pretty well convinced
that that virus has been eliminated from the
blood. The honest, disinterested members OF
the late American party are with us in their
sympaJhies; they who were Americans for the
reason that Nym would be sutler to the camp
that "profts might accrue" can be safely de
pended upon with the Governmental patronage
in an appreciable perspective.
: Ii is not the desire of the Republican organi
cation TO antagonize any portion of the Oppo
sition. On the contrary, it is anxious to har
moniously cooperate with all who are hostile
10 the profigate Pro Slavery Democracy. But
there Il a contingency foreshadowed. in which
it may be compelled TO stand fast 6y its Just
principles and usages. And the possibility Of
such a contingency illustrates the Juggling
management OF the Peoples party, upon which
| have animadverted. The cali of Mr.. Lew
Kline, chairman of the State Central Commit
tee, for the February Convention of the Oppo