The daily union., 1854-12-20
THE NEW DISGUISE OF THE OPPOSITION.

little than two years ago Franklin Pierce, the
democratic candidate for the presidency, assaed by
the whg leaders the enemy Of the Catholics simply be-
the constitution of his State of New Hampshire
contained a clause dsquafying Catholic from holding
Office in certain clause which would long before
have been stricken out had il not been regarded dead
letter the stautebook, and had the effort to obtain
two-thirds popular vote against il failed by few votes.
Our readers will remember that Notwithstanding General
Pierce had been the avowed sud eloquent opponent of this
clause for years havng boldly opposed il in the reform
convention of New Hampshire in company with that la
mened democratic statesman Levi Woodbury. the whole
whig press in 1884, protesting friendship for
the Catholics and the adopted citizens insisted upon hold
ing General Pierce responsible and called upon the people
to rebuke him for it'll 1t was in vain reply TO these
charges so far the whg Scott leaders concerned
One would have supposed they were all devout Catho-
lies from their indignation against the democratic cnnd
date on account OF this New hampshire disqualification.
Since that period however, the has entirely changed
Nearly the who two years ago assaed and mis-
represented General Pierce because of the clause referred
to in the New Hampshire constitution, are now banded
with party notorously committed to allow no Catholic
to be elected Office and boldly declaring the Pope of
Rome the controller of the consciences of millions OF
the American people native and adopted naturalzed and
unnaturazed Where, in this emergency, is Franklin
Pierce and the great democratic pary Precisely where
they were in 1852 Then, when charged with hostility to
particular religious sect and sought 10 be ou bidden
by the whgsfor the votes of the adopted citizens they stood
making no idle professions to secure those they
were accused of desertng and pointing proudly to their
history and to their many guarantees for their
future conduct This is their present attitude The great
body of the wings have changed but the democracy led
by Franklin Pierce have not changed Even though they
charged by the very leaders who occupied the position of
champions of the Catholic Church in 1852 with being
identified with the Catholics and pledged to their support
they are unawed and unsubdued They stand where they
have always stood upon the mmutabe principles of justice
to all
1t has been always thus. While the adversaries of the
democratic party have been changing 'front.' and abandon
ing their doctrines the democratic party has been stead
fast and defiant When Jackson was deserted by craven
and eacherous friends he did not change but adhered to
the faith till it became triumphant, and died amid the re-
grets Of his foes and the prayers of his friends When the
independent treasury was repealed the democracy clung
to with tenacious grasp and abated their efforts
till that measure was crowned with success and its for
mer opponents were glad unlean their camorous
tempt of its manifold virtues When the tariff of ls46
was established and when thousands declared it would
bring ruin upon the country, the democracy not
afraid gathered around it until it became part of the
conceded financial policy of the country,
So it in the great of religious liberation The
seeds of eternal truth alive in its BOSOM and will per-
petuay bear perennial fruits The fross and Of
prejudice may sometimes retad their growth but when
the clouds and the winter have passed away they will
bloom and blossom in enduring freshness and undyng
verdure.