The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-12-01
cir arnion uua spurnal.
FRIDAY. MORNING, DEC. /, 81.
CLAYTON ON AMERICANIsM.

Hon. John Nj. CLAYTON, al a recent mass
meeting in Delaware city, delivered long
and eloquent address in exposition o! The
principles and vindicaiion OF the objects Of
The American party, from repor, OF which
We extract the following -
81 came her. to-day" said Mr., C., for
the purpose II stating how far was willing
TO sustain the new party organization, known
rs the American party in this State. have
attended bui single political meeting this
year, and lha, was q meeting held in this
Town ty small number Of the old Wing
party, which determined by very decided
vote that no Wing tioku, should be run in
this State at the approaching election. The
reasons for adopting that resolution were
they fully given, The principal one beng
that>ihe Wings Of the other counties OF the
State hal refused 10 form any ticket, or 10
Join in electins any Wing Stale ticket what.
ever. This was the result Of state oil
things well understood here. There were
moi enough Wings in the State 10 offer any
reasonable prospect OF eleciing a Wing
ticket. We are leh, therefore, 10 choose
between the American and the Democratic
psI,ies-olJ party lines are, TO great ex.
iant. obli,era,eJ. The American tickle, is
made up OF men OF bath tho ancient par.
Ties. The Democratic tickle, excludes all
but Democrats. On the 9TH OF last month
the Americans met a, The Capitol Of The
State, and formed platform, upon which
they have organized their new party. II is
liberal and fair. /, proclaims the principle
Of religious federation in the words OF The
Constitution itself. There is no bigo,ry, no
prescription TO be found in il. II leaves all
men TO worship God according 10 the die
tales OF their own consciences, proclaims
no religious test for office, and asserts liber.
~ Of conscience, freedom OF thought and
freedom OF speech, as constituting the very
basis OF the new organization. II denies
the right Of aliens TO vote without naiuraliz.
alton, and proclaims The doctrine that Amer.
leans should rule their own country. II
welcomes all virtuous and good men emi.
grating from foreign countries TO cur shores,
10 seek an asylum from oppression among
US. Though was no, present a, the time
the resolutions were adopted, yet they meet
with my most hearty concurrence and ap.
probation.
On these principles | was willing 10 net,
and am yet willing 10 acl, but | never was
a member OF what has been called The Ma.
tive American party, or Of the Know Moth.
Ing Society, as il is more commonly called.
know there are many eminent men in this
country, for whom | have great respect,
who are members of each Of The latter
The present Governor cleo, Of Pennsylva-
MIA, who is personally known 10 me as one
Of the most es,imable and able men in the
is universally believed 10 be a
member OF the Know Nothing ORDER and il
Is said owes his election in great degree
10 their votes. A better man could not, in
my opinion, have been selected for the OF.
flee. | Know no, upon what authority il is
stated that The late President Of United
States IS member Of the Knor Nothing or.
der. But do know that number OF the
most intelligent and patriotic men in the
have adopted the principles and
joined the society Of this secret patty. l
know, too, that in this State very grea,
number OF gentlemen Of high standing and
acknowledged patriotism, from the ranks G
both the Wing and Democratic parties, are
believed TO be among The members OF the
order OF United Americans. Whatever
may he the principles Of the Know Moth.
ings OF other States, we are bound 10 be-
lieve that the principles Of The order in Del.
aware are in perfect accordance, both with
the letter and spiri, OF the resolutions adop.
ted in Delaware on the 18th Of October; be.
cause they were present in srea, numbers
q, the meeting held On iha, day-assis,ed
in the formation OF the platform itself, and
it was adopted after full delibera,ion, with.
out one dissenting voice. We have reason,
therefore, 10 know il there be anything pro-
scripliye, bigoied or unprincipled among
the Know Nolhings Of other States, il is not
10 be found in the creed Of the party prin.
ciples Of tho Americons Of Delaware.
4 4
I concur in the sentiment expressed by
Gen. Washington, that ali is contrary 10 the
policy Of this government TO a .,poin, ioreign.
ers TO office 10 the exclusion OF native born
citizens" do not mean by this ,ha, for.
eigner should never be appointed 10 office.
mean that, other circumstances being
equal, The American ought TO be preferred,
and that was the opinion of Washington
But there are many foreigners in this coun.
Try, for whom would no, hesitate 10 vote
and, TO illustrate my meaning, now take
leave TO say, that as the Senatorial term Of
James Shields, OF Illinois, is abou, 10 ex-
piIe, il had hundred votes TO cast in the
election OF The Senator Of that State, ! would
throw them all for James Shields, such is
my opinion Of that man. But, il another
James Shields, equally worthy, patriotic
aud able, were TO present himself us his
opponent, being born an American on the
soil here, should prefer him 10 the foreign.
or, though n na,uralized citizen. If any
max differ from that opinion, he is at per-
feet liberty TO do so, bu. do not envy him
his claims TO true American and patriotic
feelings. shall not enlarge upon this sub
eci, for my views have already been pub
Iicly expressed.
You understand me, therefore, fellow
,iiiseus, a. standing Oh the platform adopt
ed by the Americans, nj Dover, on the 4,h
lay Of last month, and no other, which in
my degree conflicts with il. Twill not sup
port Tor Office man who claims TO be
native American, unless he plants himself
also upon tina, platform. u he seeks my
vote, he mus, DO il BY protesting my prin.
ciples. He must tell me that some other
party, besides The American party here, has
nominated HIM for the office. He must
come cut plainly, AID say that no asks sup
Port on the principles Of The Americans at
me Capitol, when they met last month pub
licly IN State Convention. II he asks the
support OF the American party, no has no
right TO accept, without our consent, NOM
NATION rom another party, protesting prin.
err adopted.
\ .