The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1860-01-26
Vol. XIV.
THE NATIONAL ERA IN NORTH CAR.
DINA

politicians Of that habitualyduietj State. only
surpassed by the John Brown foray into Vir.
GINA. One would be led to suppose, from
perusal of the columns of defence and explana.
ton, of denunciation and threats TO which 4,
has given rise, that we had deliberately recon.
mended or planned scheme of insurrec,io,
and murder. What must be the astonisbmer,
OF the uninitiated, then, when they are told
that our whole offence consists in stating tho
grounds OF a controversy which has grown up
IN the State in regard to the revenue system.
The existing laws exempt slaves under
twelve years and over fifty from taxation
while such as are between those ages arc
taxed per capita, and not as property. The
proposition Of the Rcformers is, to subject
slaves to taxation, as property upon the qd
catorenl principle. We expressed the opinion
that the change proposed would be eminentIy
just and that 1t was demanded by good policy.
as the present arrangement is calculated to
stimulate the rearing Of slaves for the South.
ern market, while it expels the manulacturipp
and other arts of civilized life. The effect If
this expression Of opinion on the part of the
National Era has been to upset all the pb;Ios.
ophy and policy of the small demagogues in
the State, and entirely to change their line Of
argument aud discussion. The enemies Of
Reform seem to regard our. paragraph as q
god-send, and want no better argument AGAINST
the proposed change than the fact that it js
favored by the National Era, and we regret 10
say that their opponents appear to be over
whelmed by its force They writhe and wrg
gle, and protest, and threaten to hang the ed.
itor of the Era, hoping by such means to exon.
crate themselves from the damning suspicion
Of completely with John Brown and Helper!
Was there ever such pitable imbecility ey.
hbited by men aspiring to rule State? Must
they repudiate every sentiment which we and
other anti-slavery men advocate or approve.
ON pain of falling under suspicion? viii
they abandon their railroads, their common
schools, their colleges, their manufactures
and all their institutions and customs which we
approve? We give warning to these wiseacres
whether reformers or anti-reformers, that We
shall not hesitate to endorse and approve every
measure of Southern policy which, in our iudg
ments, will promote the welfare of the South.
Whatever tends to encourage free labor to di.
versify employments, to promote education and
civilization, we stand committed for; and if
small demagogues are afraid to advocate such
measures, lest they may be charged with IN
upon the Slavery question" they can
retire, and give place to men of more brains
and vigor of purpose.
For the sake of humanity, we will indulge the
hope that the sapient politicians of North Caro-
lima, who have created this hubbub, will not
take up the idea that Republicans and Adolf
tionists drink tea and coffee, wear hats and
shoes, walk under umbrellas, and generally de.
port themselves like other people. If any sus.
oicion Of that kind should unluckily get among
hem, we cannot doubt that public meetings
would at once be held, and resolves be adopted.
forever renouRcing the use of the aforesaid trea.
sonable articles. 1t is frightful to think Of the
self-inflicted torture to which these innocepts
might be subjected, by way of vindicating their
" soaHdness.' We are taught by the devotees
of Buddha and Brahma, to what shocking tor.
lures the victims of superstition and fear will
subject themselves, by way Of propitiating
The favor of those false gods and we shrink
rom the thought that similar evidences Of hu.
man weakness are possible in our own beloved
country. Then, by all means, let the fatal secret
De kept from these enlightened politicians Of
North Carolina, that Republicans eat drink,
md clothe themselves, and make merry, like
,ther Christian folk. Such knowledge would
It once compel the aforesaid politicians to
Ibandon all the arts Of civilized life. by way Of
estifying their fidelity to slavery. Notwitb
tanding the anathemas, and the threats of
ianging, which these amiable gentlemen have
lured at us, we cannot think of retalating
through the fundamentally of their own super.
titious fears
But it seems that the point which presents
he most puzzling problem to the intelligent
ditors and politicians of North Carolina, who
ave engaged in this grave discussion, relates
o the manner in which the editor of the Ma
ioRal Era became acquainted with the facts
tated in our article. 1t is true, that the. Work
ng mans Address was published in ire lead
lg newspapers of the State, and that the other
circumstances adverted to by us have been for
year past the subject of newspaper comment.
'ut this seems to furnish no clue to the mystery
he question still recurs, how could the editor
f the National Era, away off there in Wash,
ngton, know anything about them2
The suggestion, that North Carolina editor
yould exchange with the Era is treated as the
romans treated parricide, as an impossible
rime, for which no punishment was provided
EQUALLY strange and unnatural is the suspicion
hat any North Carolinian could deliberately
end newspaper to a Republican editor. How,
hen, could the affairs within the Chinese wall
ecome known abroad? There is the mysteryl
The New York correspondent of the Latelli.
encer says:
" A National Union movement is in pro.
ress here and call is made by a committee,
appointed by meeting of citizens, without
of party held at Clinton Hall, Jan
ary IA. 1860, to whom is assigned the duty Of
the formation Of National party
n the city and State of New York, to act in
oncert with the National Union party of the
country. They recommend that Union clubs
'e Immediately formed in each ward of the
ities, and in every town and village in the
'tate. The following is the basis:
"'Under a deep sense of the importance Of
unfolding the Union, the Constitution, and the
avs of the United States; of securing the
lights of the several States inviolate resisting
II attempts to interfere with their respective
Institutions and policy opposed to all section
/ parties, aud in favor of elevating men to Of
ice who will administer the Government in the
pirit of its founders, we, the undersigned, as