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4. It divides the nation by a geographical line, but without any sectional feeling on its own part; this division being caused solely by its just defence of the rights of the North against the daring invasions of the Slave Power, which is determined to “crush out” every sentiment of freedom in the land, and to punish opposition to its monstrous designs as summarily in Massachusetts as in Virginia or Alabama.
5. It helps to disseminate no small amount of light and knowledge in regard to the nature and workings of the slave system, being necessitated to do this to maintain its position; and thus, for the time being, it is moulding public sentiment in the right direction, though with no purpose to aid us in the specific work we are striving to accomplish—namely, the dissolution of the Union, and the abolition of slavery throughout the land.
All this may be fairly set down to the credit of the Republican Party; and it is a wise apostolic injunction to give “credit to whom credit is due.”
Let us be clear in our discrimination, and just in our award, without yielding one jot or tittle of principle, or moving a hair's-breadth from the path of duty.
In disregard of this consistent attitude, maintained at a loss to the editor's subscription-list,
Horace Greeley1 made no scruple, in his N. Y.
Tribune, of pronouncing the
Liberator “especially hostile to
Fremont and the Republican Party”
Lib. 26.162.; and his timidity at last prompted him to commit
Mr. Garrison in the most tangible manner.
2
Horace Greeley to W. L. Garrison.
3
Dear Sir: The
Pennsylvanian publishes conspicuously from day to day the following:—
We hold that honesty in politics, as in everything else, is the best policy.
We do not believe falsehood is stronger than truth.
