Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-04-06

iUs
opportunity for abolitonism The popular mind
tainted by long previous teaching, and the popular
feeling perverted during years of political heresy
have burst forth into revolution, whlch fanaucsm
SEXES upon with natural avldty. Ana iree anu
republican people, clamorous for Amerlcanism, ana
red-mouthed in their denunciations OF Jesusm nInd
themselves by party ties, which nothing but perjury
can break, subject themselves to obligations upon
which their very livelihood depend, and are wlillr 6
to be confined within th0lmits Of orders, whose
lines are as fixed as the castles Of the Hndoos is
not this political paradox indeed! Can State be
proud Of the political history out of which such
monstrosity has grown Is there any temptation IN
this that Massachusetts, should be followed by her
sisters in the confederation 1t is indeed I" strange
that such heresy should from Massachusetts >
strange that with her intelligence and her interests
she should have pursued the path to such concu
sons But it would be passing strange II she met
with response from Virginia. | cannot conceive OF
that madness which would lead the people of Viz
ginia at this hour to follow the lead of Massa
chuses"-that lead which discovers the States,
arrays sectional interests against each other, pro-
scrbes foreign industry, and destroys that religious
freedom which forms great element OF the Constltu-
oH. Virginia would develop her resources. lan
she, then, shut the doors against the entrance OF
adopted citizens, without whom even Massachusetts
could not have attained 10 her wealth and prosperity!
Virginia would maintain her doctrines of State
rights, which she has set forth in the great Crisis
which have heretofore threatened national fabric
Will she then place her destinies in the hands OF
party whose whole vitality consists in the very hot
test of abolition dictation' Virginia would enlarge
her universities, and multiply her schools and ex-
tend her churches. Can she do it by adopting a
system of religious intolerance! Virginia would
maintain standard of honesty and freedom OF politl-
cal opinion among her citizens Can she DO 1t by
reducing the standard of truth to the morals OF
Know Nothing lodge, and by the voluntary submis-
sion Of her citizens the discipline of this proscrp
tive Order? Virginia, & the mother of States and
Statesmen would stretch forth her arms and en-
brace confederation bound by mutual regard Tor the
lights and privileges of each other. Can she DO 1t
if the doctrines of Know Nothingsm prevail, and
she finds Gardner TO rule her at home, and federal
aboitoniss to represent her in the national Coun-
ellis
1t cannot be for a moment supposed that the prn
cples which majority of the people of Massachu
sets have declared themselves in favor Of consls
tent with the perpetuty of this Union, or are such as
the leading minds OF the country would attempt to
advocate And yet the overwhelming success OF the
Know Nohings here, has already operated as re-
markable stimulus to this extraordinary party else
where. 1t is this account that | would have the
political peculiarities of Massachusetts, fully under
stood by the people of other States. Here, more than
any where else have the Democracy struggled against
tremendous odds. Their success has always been
shorlived and doubtful The party which has main
tanned It's ground, fighting in the minority OF those
doctrines which have generally controlled the policy
of the country has been fearless in defence o. that
policy and has met with corresponding opposition
This aspect of things has not changed. Those ee-
ments which have been divided in this State merely
by personal differences have taken advantage of the
protection of secret concave to join in an united
I onslaught upon the Democracy. This is the legltl'
mate business of Know Nothngism. 1t is the wea-
pom employed by the party out of power and their
sympathislng indictments to overthrow the party
y holding power in the country. And TO overthrow II
for what Solely because it is democratic; because
# it is that party which supported Jefferson and Jack
Il son and has preserved untarnlshed the simplicity Of
l. republican governments because 1t is that party
: which has endeavored to mee out equal and exact
b justice all men," and has maintained indiscrim
regard for the welfare of every section of the
Union; because it is that party which has not allow
ed itself TO be led away by sectional issues, and has
regarded the requirements and guarantees ofthe Con
sttution superior temporZing and shortsighet
: compromises It is this party which Know Nothing
e ism is constituted 10 oppose You will look in vair
for national Wing organization. That party which
has been reduced from its former greatness to being
simple opponent of dissatisfaction is clothed II
: new armour and combines the heterogeneous forces
of abolitonsts malconents disunionists, into
10 pncpled, and, believe, short-lved party organ
e ganzauon. You readily perceive why such al
D. organization should have sprung up like mushroom
n out Of the rlpenlng and purifying of Massachu
10 sets politics. But it should not flourish elsewhere
l. The very Of this opposition should teach Vir
GINA Democrats what depth of disgrace their adver
J. sares have reached. 1t should teach them that thos
adversares have been obliged to resort to the charms
ID of secret maneuvres, in order give strength
o. in their faith in the truth of Democracy when they
* look upon the disgracefu weapons which brough
re 10 bear against them If any in this world shout
IN nuse new life into your party, it is the character
es itself, of Know Nohingism. And when you consd
n that the of people in Virginia have stood TO
e. years opposed to all the temptations of the enc
h. my, it impossible that they should yield to it
lie last and most contemplate of all foes. The sam
ed causes which gave Know Nothingsm in Mas
sachusets, ought to everwhelm and rout it beyon
Ii redemption of Virginia. Here it fourishes becaus
Dr. the whole power and all the Establishments of tn
State have been exerted to their utmost to break dow
wv the Democracy. There it ought TO wther because
stands just where the enemies of the Democratic par
a ~ have always Stood with all their weakness an
aIlacies Here it should succeed, because federalism
re and aboionism in some form have always held tn
o. power. There it should fail, because Virginia has al
BY ways been true to the Democratic faith. know-No
"a thngism is indigenous to the soil of Massachusetts
al but unless the people of Virg struck with u
RI dcial blindness it never take root among you
he valleys and mountains.
ice 1t is entirely unnecessary for to occupy you
er time with delineation of the practical working
Of Know Nothingism here. You have learned it's po
ical designs already, and you easily conceive
led the political debauchery which goes with it. Cues
he tions which formerly settled by free and ope
lie discussion decided by the iron rule of
lis Gil. Capacity and intelligence which, however niue
ch mistaken, once controlled the acts of the old Ba
ov- State. now banished from which is OF
cupied by the fruits of intrigue. The path
lily preferment which formerly led the SUBMITS
ch the everlasting hills of knowledge, now lie anon
it's the low and swampy abodes where nothing mob
The dwells. The mass of the people excluded fro
Ike all participation in those matters upon which deper
- their social and civil privileges The voice of tt
ion people is dumb. The elect point out the way, an
under threats of oppression and prescription and
OF secuton in every walk in life who call then
IN selves American treemen, submit to the dctation