Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1855-09-29
From the New Orleans Crescent
Letter from an Old and Honored Citizen

Not long since, Mr.. Miles Taylor, anti American
candidate for Congress from this District, addressed
letter to the Hon. Walter Brashear of St. Mary
stating his design of visiting that parish for tn,
purpose of doing all he could to promote the sue
cess of the antKnow- Nothing ticket at the ap
preaching election. Mr.. Taylor, assuming thai
MIR. Brashear was opposed to the principles of the
American organization, desired to obtain the good
offices of the latter in making him acquainted with
the people of St. Mary, etc.
As will be seen by the subjoined response of Mr.
Brashear, which has been kindly forwarded u.s. all
gentlemanly courtesies have been freely rendered,
and have, ere this, no doubt been faithfully per-
formed.
But further than this the venerable Brashear
could not go. Although the frosts of nearly four
lect is clear, and his heart as full of patriot
ism as they were in the full flush of vigorous
manhood, when hope danced attendance upon
useful present and pointed the way to brilliant
future, all of which was fully realized in years of
valuable public service, the records Of the State
amply prove. Mr.. Brashear could not lend his in
huence against his own countrymen, although re-
quested by Mr.. Miles Taylor. He could not con-
sent to forego the principles he advocated nearly
twenty years ago in the Legislature, when Thomas
Green Davidson, DR.. McFarlane, and many other
VI ouA oppoAcuLo StOOu ny LIS sue anu sustained
American doctrines far more stringent in their ap-
plication than those now promulgated in American
platforms. The gathered experience of years has
only strengthened earlier convictions, and the hon
ored and venerable ex-senator feels renewed and
as the realization of what he ever
deemed essential to the salvation of his beloved
country draws higher to triumphant consumation.
We will not detain our readers further from the
perusal of Mr.. Brashears letter. AS an ardent ad-
mirer of the lustrious Henry Clay once said about
his mouth-it speaks for itself:
BERw1ck's BAY, 7th September 1856.
Hon MILES TAYLOR: Dear Sir-Your esteemed favor of
the 18th nst received yesterday and the contents duly
considered.
Should the ethargy OF age not prevent me- shall be
happy to meet and welcome you to St. Mary Wednesday
next, in Franklin, contemplate being there that
will as far practicable, make you acquainted
with such Of friends will know how appreciate your
high intelgence-the honorable bearing of your past e
private and political.
But when you hope for my aid in overthrowing the Ma
tive American organizaon-an organization under the
Of Know Nohings which, whether viewed in its num-
bers its responsibility of MEMBERS its principles
offers no exceptional points to approvayou but ask
me to retract my course steadily pursued since 1861
retract opinions then entertained in with the
Hon. Green Davidson, DR.. McFarlane and many other
staunch Democrats who stood shoulder shoulder with me
in the Legislature this subject while anpodes
in sentiment on nearly every other
You compliment me by saying that have been the ardent
devotee OF Southern interests and hence would
pect my cooperation in an:agonsm to the American organ
zaton thereby assuming that organization to be hostile
Southern interests.
Make that inference appear well founded and Won vii,
have all the aid an octagenaan give put such
suicidal but must not offer as proof
me sanderous alsehoods OF its enemies since know
who do not deny their fellowship who would remain an
hour in the association but half the reasonable motives
we're true which have been attributed
do not however, admit among legitimate means Of
southern influence the and strange proposition OF SEN
ator Benjamin. in effect that the South armed and equipped
Tor war; should array itself on Mason and Dxons line and
m We havo hodo nh apd
TOO much of busetoo much Of the cowardly gasconade
to the fears Of the North and poinng the
battlefield ultimate arbiter Southerners have not
learned seemingly, that there is to be dreaded from
The calm courage which marches the encounter Of enc
mics without threat noise than from noisy threat
tourshed weapons. An extreme Of loneliness, accom-
panied by threats OF violence has characterized Southern
action on the subject of slavery Thereby Fostering the
which would otherwise have died ou ever since the con-
utona detail Of the right of petition on the subject and
tone ofsupeorty and arrogance more suited to the style
master addressing his slaves than the intercourse of
spoken productions the subject This depore near
MS much as do the extreme Of fanaticism and folly
Ehich marks the language and conduct of the Abotonist
whose members, hope and believe, few. and who
WILL do not doubt speedily. under the influence Of their
leighbos and improved manners be silenced for
,ver; or at least convinced that God Almighty having
omitted slavery into the world if in or mistake has
not made incumbent on them to assist him it.
In what respect the American party, as SUCH
LANCER the interest Of the South unable to compre
lend Certain is that the neophytes Of the order are
hidden to lay aside the principles and distinctions of the old
1ateS and to promise devotion to the great principle that
America shall be ruled by Americans" In this sentiment
heartily and find in the lessons Of the past enough
TO assure me that whenever it shall have domination over
public SENTIMENT of the dsgraceu scenes of Plaque
nine frauds, and Of naturalization without residence quail
ications as was made notorious in Judge Bosworths
oeachment can again stain the archives Of country
was born an American, subject Of George III. My
aher who aided in the emancipation Of country from
ne government Of the British CROWN left poor most
= the foreigners who come among us-having labored
through many vcsstudes Of fortune for sixty indus
rousy sobery and in the practice of economy to
arge family and provide something for declining age
have never been able to perceive the right in having that
property voted through demagogues and foreigners
much more grevous to however has been to witness
ny counys policy, through her legislation moulded to
purchase the support Of the ignorant brutal and even
rminal crowds Of foreigners who have been thrown upon
shores the American party stem and turn back
his designating and corruptng wave, Tar from me shall
the act inerposng to prevent the-on the contrary
that death which must shortly come were now yelling
rom my sight all earthly objects, my last cry should bid
hem, Onward! My last sigh should be expended in
,rayer for their success!
Trusting that the above expression Of opinions will excuse
from any contribution to your main objects beyond the
mere courtesies due you as gentleman, which again
ender.
1sema with high consideration yonr obedient servant
s8ss ~ WALTER BRAsHEAH