Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-06-20
MR. BRANcH AT I.oUIsBURG.

We are indebted to a frisnd Tor the following
,,..tcb of the speech of L. OBJ. Branch, Esq, the
n,nocratic candidate for Congress in this District
aarvered at Louisburg, on Tuesday the 18th in
nt Mr. Branch's positions and arguments will
.,umeud themselves forcbly to the judgments of
l neople for their soundness, clearness and power
well as for the high and just Constitutional
IRIS which he takes of the reserved rights of the
sates on the subject of the qualification of voters.
ur Shepard, the Register, and Mr. Miller will labor
- vain to reply to these arguments They cannot
be- overturned, for they are founded upon the rock
of truth:
uNr Branch spoke first, and announced himself
candidate for Congress, the nominee of the
n.nocratic Convention of the District and pledged
b;ns.lf if elected, to be governed in his by
tbn we'll known principles of the Democratic party.
He said he found himself opposed by new party,
but recently sprung into existence and arrogantly
ssrrtinc that both the old parties defunct. He
stood here, a living proof that the Democratic party
= mot dead nor asleep, but strong and united. For
tbr Wing party he had no right to answer; but lift
he rue that it is dead, its former members
left free to select between his competitor and him
self and he hoped to get the votes at least of those
who we're opposed to Know Nothingsm.
He said this party originated at the North,
had spread there and thus far carried every Northern
State Their triumphs there had thrown into Con-
css the largest body of aboltionists ever before in
congress at any time. He also alluded to the
notification of the fugitiveslave law, and other
nrebelsible and dangerous acts of the Know Moth
inc Legislature of Massachusetts-proceedings of
Know Nothing Conventions, &c. as proof that the
Marty ut the North controlled by antislavery ia
naticiSm.
Tie tucn spoke of the supposed principles and
aims of the party. 1St of the exclusion OF persons
born out of the United States from Office and from
the privileges OF naturalization. One of the COM
paints made against George the Third by fore
ia,ners in the Declaration Of Independence,
that he had 'endeavored to prevent the population
of these States-for that purpose obstructing the
laws for the naturalization of foreigners" He aiu-
ded TO the large number of foreigners who had vol
unteeIed aid US, and without whose aid we could
not, probably, have achieved our independence. Our
f,yctatherS, though numbering only about 8, 000,-
600 were afraid of them but in vited them over
placed arms in their hands, and even felt the utmost
gratitude for the services they rendered. There
were in 1850, in the whole State of North Carolina,
only about 2, 90 men, women and children, OF whom
very large portion came to this country in infancy,
had been educated under institutions, and new
er knew any other 1t was true there were more
at the North but there they were but hand
ul compared with the natives. The census of 1850
showed that if evil it was, it northern evil
that it q peculiar institution of the North;
anu he warned Southern against entering into
crusade to rid the North oft, lest the North may,
in turn insist on aiding to rid of our peculiar
inStitu L."
lie read from the constitution of North Carolina
s-,ou 40,) framed in 1916 to show that our fathers
thought they ought to be invested with all the rights
for the protection OF sailors rghts'-to pre-
the seizure and imprisonment of our naturaliz-
ed citizens by Great Britain. He was ready to go
for any State legislation to exclude foreign paupers
and criminals. The Know Nothings did not propose
to exclude them. Their system did not tend to ex-
cude that class who came to get bread escape tne
offended law. 1t would only make them vi
cous by placing them footing with free negroes,
AMI removing every inducement to improvement.
0mly the intelligent foreigner who could appreciate
political privileges, and would make good citizen,
would be excluded. If they succeeded in depriving
foreigners of all political privileges, how long would
Ii be before we would have proposition to deprive ali
not born IN the State, on pretence that they inter-
fered with own native mechanics and tradesmen?
If he were mechanic, and could be convinced that
his interest could be promoted by shutting out COM
petition, he would rather keep out one Northern
than half dozen foreigners. 1t behoovcd Nor
thern men among US to inquire where this thing is
to stop.
I'd. Or THE EXCLUSION OF ROMAN CATHOLICS FROM
OFFICE
He Protestant, and thoroughly opposed to
the Roman Catholic religion, and its spread in the
country. He charged that Know Nothingism would
do to spread that religion than all the foreign
ers who came to the United States could do.
Heretofore the ministers of the Protestant denom-
nations had successfully battled with it. They
learned able and jealous Take it out of their hands
and place it in those Of politicians and will spread
over the country. Roman Catholicism coming into
this country like spark of fire falling upon a wet
spot. Let it alone and it will go out but fan it into
lame by persecution, and 1t Will spread ana sweep
the land. No religious sect yet failed to
prosper and increase under persecution. He warn
ed christian to look to it that professionalism does
not suffer by this crusade, smacking so strongly of
toe "faggot and stake"
He asked what sect to be ultimately dominant,
and monopolize the honors and Offices of govern
ment? Once begun, where was the war of religions,
waged not for religious but for political objects, to
end?
But it was pretended that the exclusion of Roman
Catholics from office was not for their religious tenes,
but because they supposed to hold that they owe
allegiance to the Pope in temporal matters He said
that any mani holding suchan opinion ought to be ex-
Guided from office; and read the 32nd article OF the
amended Constitution of North Carolina, to show
that he was already excluded as holding religious
opinions incompatible with the safety and freedom OF
the State" Know Nothingism was, therefore, to say
the least of it, useless, as the Constitution already
provided for the case. If Catholic Is elected to
Office they only have to contest his right to his seat
prove the fact that he holds such opinions, and he
would not be allowed to take his seat But Know
Notnngism does wish to be put to the proof, al
though the Bill of Rights declares that no freeman
ought to be dssezed of his privileges except by the
laws of the land They wish to exclude from office
large class of citizens suspicion of entertaining
sentiments they utterly disavow; and that too when
the law of the land gives them the means OF proving
tie facts and forbids their proceeding on suspicion
lie read from Judge CASTOR and also Pastora! Let
ter signed by seven Roman Catholic Bishops, deny
Ing that Catholics any allegiance to the Pope IN
temporal matters The naturazed foreigner espe-
caly ~anounces " all allegiance to any other prince,
nOteDatn Or nowern in his oath of allegiance. But