Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-11-17
KNow-NoTHINGIsM.
An Important speech from John M.


Clayton.
Character, Principles, and Objects Of The Native
american Party.
Hon. John M. Clayton, at a recent mass meeting
in Delaware city, made long and eloquent speech
in exposition and vindication of the principles and
objects Of the Know-Nothings, Of which we find
the following outline in the Delaware Journal:
came here to-day said Mr., c., for the purpose
OF stating how far was willing to sustain the new
party organization, known by the name of the
American party, in this State. have attended but
single p0liticalmeeting this year, and that was a
meeting held in this town by small number Of
the old Whig party, which determined, by very
decided vote, that no Wing ticket should 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 eecting any Wing State
ticket whatever. This was the result Of state Of
things well understood here. There were not
enough Wings in the State to offer any reasonable
prospect Of electing Wing ticket We are left,
therefore, to choose between the American and
Democratic parties--old party lines are to great
extent obliterated. The American ticket Is made
up of men Of both the ancient parties. The Dem
ocratic ticket excludes all but Democrats On the
4th Of last month, the Americans met at the capi-
tol OF the State and formed platform, upon which
they have organized their new party. 1t is liberal
and fair. II proclans the principle of religious
federation in the words of the Constitution itself
There Is no bgotry, no prescription to be found in
it. It leaves all men to worship God according to
the dictates Of their own consciences, proclaims
no religious test for Office and asserts liberty 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 naturalization, and proclaims the doctrine
that Americans should rule their own country 1t
welcomes all virtuous and good men, emigrating
from foreign countries to our shores to seek an
asylum from oppression, among us Though was
not present at the time the resolutions of the meet
ing were adopted, yet they meet with my most
hearty concurrence and appreciation.
On these principles was willing to act, and am
yet willing to act, but never was a member Of
what has been called the Native American party,
or of the Nothing society, as it Is 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 pre-
sent governor elect of Pennsylvania, who is per-
sonally known to me as one of the most estimable
and able men in this country is universally believed
to be a member of the Know-Nothing Order,
and it is said owes his election in great degree
to their votes A better man could not, in my
opinion, have been selected for the office. know
not upon what authority 1t is stated that the late
President Of the United States is member of the
KnowsNothing Order. But do know that
great number Of the most intelligent and patriotic
men of this country have adopted the principles
and joined the society Of this secret party.
know, too, that in this State very great number
of gentlemen of high standing and acknowledged
patriotism, from the ranks of both the whig and
democratic parties, are believed to be among the
members of the Order of United Americans
Whatever may be the principles of the Know
Nothings OF other States, we are bound to believe
that the principles of the Order in Delaware are
in perfect accordance both with the spirit and the
letter of the resolutions adopted in Dover ON the
4th Of October; because they were present in
great numbers at the meeting held on that day
assisted in the formation of the platform ITSELF and
it was adopted and after full deliberation, without
one dissenting voice. We have reason, therefore,
to know that if there be anything proscrptive,
bigoted, or unprincipled among the Know-Noth-
ings Of other States II Is not to be found in the
creed Of the party principles Of the Americans Of
Delaware.
have said that never was member Of the
Native American party in this country, and that
am not and never have been member of the
Known Nothing society or any other secret society
Opposed TO all prescription of men for the sake Of
their religious opinions, have freely avowed my
determination not to support for public Office any
men who should evince determination to deny to
others the right to worship God according to the
dictates of their own consciences; and referring to
foreigners who have never been naturalized, have
repeatedly said, that before their naturalization,
they should not be permitted to govern this coun-
try by their votes They do not renounce their al.
egiance to the princes potentates of their native
country when declaring their intention, nor at any
time until they naturalzed in obedience 10 the
act Of Congress. To receive their votes on a mere
declaration Of intention, is In degree less objec-
tionable than ID would be TO receive them in Ireland
or Germany, for they are still bound by their ae-
glance to the sovereigns of their native countries.
] opposed their right of suffrage in 1885 in the
Senate of the United States in conjunction with all
other Wing members Of that body. / made the
motion 10 strike the alien clause out Of the Consti-
tuition Of Michigan. Joined with Mr.. Calhoun In
opposing the alien clause in the Compromise bill Of
1848. But we were compelled to submit to the
will of the majority, who opposed us and overrued
us. No great compromise was ever made without
a sacrifice on the part of those who made il. The
Constitution itself which was a compromise, was
one In reference to which II was often and truly
sad that there was not member Of the Conven-
ton that framed II, who had not strong objections
to some parts Of Il. On this principle il was that
Mr.. Calhoun and myself as l have heretofore pub
icly explained in my place In the Senate, voted for
the Compromise Of 1910, while strongly protesting
against this whole alien clause, which we still hoped
in some way to exclude from the bill before Il
should become a law
As chairman Of the Committee on the Judiciary
In the Senate, reported the first law which estab-
lished territorial government over Wisconsin,
composed Of all territories Of the present State Of
Iowa and Wisconsin In that carefully protected
the rights of American citizenship, and excluded
the sunges Of foreigners, without naturalization.
Last winter moved TO strike the alien clause out
Of the Nebraska bill, but unsuccessfuly, and for
eigners by that bill allowed TO vote in the Ter
ritorics without naturalization. Foreigners have
also been allowed TO vote without naturalization In
the States Of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan, as
wen in several Of the Territories besides Kansas
and Nebraska. ] cannot now, without an utter
sacrifice Of principle devate from the doctrine that
none but American citizens should enjoy the right
of suffrage. | cannot and win not, at my period
Of life, hoping and wishing nothing from any po.
tical party, and fearing none, depart from princ
pie which has governed me ever since ] entered
public life. When we were defeated on this ques
ton, in 1886, took my hat and left the Senate in
disgust and every Wbig in that chamber followed
me, all Of us considering that the Constitution had
been trampled under foot by the party opposed
IN ma