Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-12-09

AN IMPORTANT SPEECH
BY JOHN M. CLAYTON.
Character, Principles and Objects Of
the Native American Party.
Hon. JOHN NJ. CLAYTON; at a recent mass
meeting in Delaware City, made long and
eloquent speech in exposition and vindica,iou
ofthe principles and objects Of the Know Moth.
ings, of which we find the following outline
in the Delaware Journal: AZ 5ai ,I.55u. .sr
5 Icame here today, said Mr. c., for the pur-
pose Of stating how far was willing to sus-
tain the new party organization know by the
name Of the American Party in this State. l
have attended but single political meeting
this year, and that was a meeting held in this
town bya small number of the old Wing par
~, which determined, by very decided vote,
that no Wing ticket shonlds be run in this
State at the approaching election. The reasons
for adopting that resolution were then fully
given, the principal one being that the, Wings
of the other counties of the State had refused
TO form any ticket or to join in electing any
Wing State ticket whatever. This was the
result Of state Of things we'll understood
here. There were not enough Wings in the
State to offer any reasonable prospect Of elec.
ting Wing ticket. We are left therefore, to
choose between the American and Democratic
party lines are to q great extent
The American ticket is made up
Of men Of both the ancient parties. The De-
mOcratic ticket excludes all but Democrats.
On the fourth of last month the Americans
met at the Capitol of the State and formed q
platform, upon which they have organized their
new party. asItis liberatand fair. 1t proclaims
the principle Of religious tolsrasion in the very
words Of. the Constitution itself. There is no
bigotry, no prescription to be found in it. It
leaves ali mento worship God according to the
dictates oftheir own conscience, proelaims no
religious test for Office, ane asserts liberty of
freedom Of thought and freedom
Of speech, As constituting the very basis Of the
new organization. It denies the right aliens
10 vote without naturalization, and produces
the doctrine that Americans shoulds rule their
ocn country. 1t ltwelcomes all good and virtu-
Gus men emigrating from foreign countries to
our shores to seek an asylum from oppression,
among u.s. Though was not present at the
lime the resolutions Of the meeting were adop-
ted, yet they met with my most hearty concur.
renee and appreciation.
On these principles was willing to act, and
Am yet willing to act, but never was men,
ber Of what has been called the Native Ameri.
:an party, or of the Know Nothing Society as
i is commonly called. know there are many
eminent men in this country, for whom have
great respect, who are members, Of each Of the
stter. The present Governor elect Of Penn.
sylvania, who is personally known to me as
one of the most estimable and able men in this
:ountry. is universally believed to be member
Df the Know Nothing order, and II 10 said owes
,is election in great degree to their voice. A
better man could not in my opinion have been
election for the Office i know not upon what
authority it is stated, fhatthe late Presideut Of
he United States Is a member Of the Knoso' No.
hing Order. o But / do know that . great mum.
Der Of the most intelligent and patriotic men
IF this country have adopted the principles and
oined the society of this secret party / do
snow, too, that 10 this State very great num-
Der Of gentlemen Of high standing and acknow-
edged patriotism, from the ranks Of both the
Wing and Democratic parties, are believed to
De among the members Of the Order Of United
Americans. Whatever may be The principles
If the Know Nothings of other States, we are
pound to believe that the principles Of the
Order in Delaware are in perfect accordance
,oth with the spirit and the letter Of tie resoIu-
ions adoptediin Dover on the 4th Of October
,ecanse they were present in great numbers
i the meeting held on that y7-assisted in
be formation Of the platform itself, and it was
ldopted, after full deliberation, without one
|issentiag voice. We have reason, therefore,
o know that it there be anything proserptive,
,igoted or unprincipled among the Know No-
hings Of other States, it is not to be found 10
hs creed Of the party principles Of The Anne.
leans Of Delaware. II This remark can be apt
lied with equal justice to thss Americans of
.ouisiapa. Ed Sentisel IL, ai ac.l.as sde
| have said that ]. never was member Of the
aative American party in this country, and that
.sm not Gnd never have been member 0fthei
[now Nothing society or any other seerst so-
iety. Opposed. to all prescription of men for
h. sake of their religious opinions, hsge free.
! avdwed my determination not to support for,
ublc Office, any man Who should esfnce q de.
.Fmination 10 deny TO others the right to swor- |
hip God according the dictates Of their own
onseienee; and referring to foreigners who
lve never -been naturAlized, l'faye repeatedly
iidtbat tsfors shsif nstusalization, they should
ot be permitted 10 govern this country BY
leif tosesl They do not renoance their ale.
iaDo6 70 tho Princes u Potantates Of their ma
~ eountry when declaring their Intention,
ps ~ my time until they daSs Hasnfalised I'M
bedience to the act of Congress. q To Seeeive
leir v0tss on q mere declaration Of intSnsioh,