Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-06-08
Hon. John Kerr on Know nottingham.
From the Fayetteville Observer
May 18th, 1876,

orord TO the new political organization commonly
lied Know -Nothings has sub ected me to much IN
COT censure from the adherents of that party am
ot 40 nsensble public opinion as to permit the at
.oLs which have been made upon my motives to pass
without nouce "
You. in this as in every other instance in which
have attracted public notice. have treated me courte-
usv: and though doubtless many malign suggestions
nav have been made you in regard to me. you have
abstained from impeaching my motives or attacking
nv course. | have paper however IN the State to
al or d. fend me, and no caballstlc CounclIs-'n
s,coyn combnation-to promote my interest and Sc
cure my election.
Your very useful paper circuIates extensively in
nv District, and am induced to believe that you
will with pleasure afford the use of it's columns
IN SET forth some of the reasons by which am gov
orned in pursuing the course have been compelled
by sense of duty to adopt
conservative tendency and influence of Wing prnci-
nies. The more study them, the more thoroughly
am | satisfied that the principles OF government
which Henry Clay always maintained throughout
his long and glorious career, the true principles
If our Constitutions and must or later prevail
over all opposition.
The greater portion of my life has been spent in
defending these principles feeby, yet most
earnestly In times of prosperity to our cause have
reioiced in times of adversely have mourned but
never have dreamed of deserving the " old paths' of
potical safety and joining any combination party
political faith of our great republican Wing fathers.
No. Sir: ! am so welded to the doctrines of Wash
pgton and Clay, determined to defend them 10 the
last extremity, that come hat may to me personally,
| will adhere TO my position and defend my colors,
though all my former comrades shall flee or fall, and
O. leave me solitary and alone amid the jeers and
tauns Of my opponents
Inn aware that the Wing party is now dsbanded,
but Wing principles and Wing measures are not on
that account less dear to On the contrary
+~oHc ol1rk:
port upon others, with the greater zeal and earnest
ness because of the dangers which threaten our
country.
We are threatened ia every section with ruin, by
the influence of factions and the triumph of political
combinations which are founded upon dogmps re-
undated by or unknown to our fathers.
Abolitionsm and notification, the offspring of the
different extremes of the Union, are now in harmo-
NOUS combination at the North and the conservative
people of the South are invoked, under delusive
guse TO join the unholy alliance We are told, in
language as deceptive as plausible, that it matters
not what mans political principles are-whether
he supports Wing measures Democratic measures
If he will only join the party he shall be sup
ported for Office as the friend of american prnci-
pies" Now really, this looks little too much like
putting on the turban and turning Turk for the
sake of the plumber. Can this government be admin
istered except upon principle and not either
Wing principles or Democratic principles right?
A fusion of different politics and different politi-
clans in the democratic party, has long been an OBJ.
lection urged to that party by the Wings. But now
it seems called upon to join in an effort to
out-Herod Herod, and win the bad renown Of carry
ing the principle of combination farther than it has
ever been carried before, in order 10 obtain office
Verify, | can acquiesce in such movement. That
there are good conservative men in the democratic
party, none can doubt And it is equally true that
in both parties there are mere time servers, who aim
at personal promotion than at the good of their
l~0l1 RhoIn lorc .Of 4hS
organization We shall not fail 10 perceive, that
of them such as have often changed their party
relations, and taken position where the chance OF
promotion was best. Is it not little strange, my
dear sirs, that l. who have never in out of Con
gress deserted or renounCed one single Wing princ-
De-who have always adhered TO the fortunes of my
party-should be read out of the communion now,
by certain neWiy constituted eXpOunders of Wing Or
th0doxy, while such gentlemen as Mr.. }. B. Shepard
Mr. VIM. K. Kane, and Mr.. David Reid, are rece, ed
into full fellowship and made leaders by men with
whom they have no political principles in unison
Has MIR. Shepard ever renowned his democratic creed
Has Mr. Lane, or has Mr.. Reid Not al all, so ta
as am informed. Then how can they be regarded
as better worthy of Wing support than myself upoI
the score of principle
The new Organization have often published to thu
world as one Of their principles, that they repudla
the doctrine of availability in the selection of candi
dates for Office How then does it happen, that il
democratic districts they have thus far in Stat
selected democrats, although wings belong to thei
party? If availability is part of their creed, thel
why not nominate Known Nothing Wings in the Edge
COmbe and Wake Districts?
Pure they profess to be; scornful of the corrup
ton of the old parties; it does nevertheless seem
that though on purity they bent they :" have
frugal mind" and resort as much to availability t
obtain office, as any other party
But secret political oath bound associations are a.
ways dangerous to liberty and can never be JUST
fed in FREQ cOOntrv The TacOhn climbs (secrf
political societies) ruined France at the period of tn
first French revolution. Lafayette distinctly char
ged them with it, and all the world now admits tn
business of the charge. Yet they called themselve
The only true FienChmen, and put all to death VIII
did not agree with them-when they had them
their power Republican liberty, under the auspiCe
of Lafayette, dawned upon France, and for q brit
season illuminined the political horizon with tn
brightest hopes. In evil hour secret socehe
dixie those now existing among us) were establish
ed, and by their dreadful influence liberty d.
stroyed, and upon its ruins the reign Of Terri
arose; which, while it lasted, filled the 1corld wit
CONSERVATION, and France itself with blood and teal
and fortunes In imitation of that bad example, tt
Democratic clubs formed in our own countr
during the administration of Washington, and b
Tor the sublime moral courage and resistless inhuenc
OF the father of his country they would have force
us into war with England, and into all the frant
schemes of conquest and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of the le
dcrs of the French Revolution.
washington mas warned hls countrymeh again
such societies in his Farewell Address.
Some Of the objects aimed at by this new party
approve. | am now. and have been for years, oppo
cd to the influx of fore gn paupers and foreign crlr
mails into our country. I have already made tn
manifest by my course in Congress. But | will n
consent 10 any system or policy which would excu
all foreigners from our shores. The good shall new
~ me eindscriminately prescribed aoitt the bad
when an oppressed exile from land OF despotsm
driven upon our shores, if he be a man of virtue
will receive him with generous hospitality, and WE
come him now as our forefathers were wont to We