The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1855-04-14
The Constitution.


adoption Of the Federal Constitution The
epoch was peculiarly suitable and propitious.
This instrument has been guarded with jealous
vigilance by the Democrats; all attempts to
sap it by secret contriyances or to overthrow
it by open force, have been opposed and frus.
trated by them, acting as party. To pre-
serve it in its purity has been the object Of
their unceasng care; attachment to and deter.
mination to uphold it at all hazards and sacri-
fees, is the principal article Of the Democrats
political creed, because, connected with the
Constitution, and indissolubly involved in it,
are the prosperity, happiness, freedom, the
very existence Of the country.
The Constitution is assailed with rabid vio-
lence by designing aud ambitious men, who not
only recommend its speedy overthrow, and are
striving to effect their purpose with the blind
zeal of stupid fanaticism. 1t was good thing
then, to repeat to the people, in mass meeting,
the very words Of the Constitution, as far as
they concern the duties of citizens, and the
duties of individual states and the Federal
Government towards one another This is the
surest, perhaps the best mode of refuting the
doctrines and wild theories of fanat-
les of every hue and kind, and Of exploding
them into thin air.
This memorable event, the adoption Of the
Federal Constitution, took place on the 18th
Of September, 1887, in the twelfth year of the
Of the Nation. After sixty-sey-
IN years experience Of the blessings that the
Constitution sheds over all classes of our citi-
.ens, the humble, as well US the exalted, the
poor and the wealthy,-the Northern artzan,
he Western yeoman, and the Southern plant
1.-THE attempt is now made to overthrow
hat instrument by means of sworn, secret
rider, the members of which are bound by
,aths to establish a religious test in this coun-
~, and disfranchise all those who were not
'orn upon the soil. Though large number
# those great and good men who aided in
orming the Constitution were adopted citizens,
nd some of them believers in that religion
Which is now made the especial object of Know
Nothing vengeance, still their descendants are
o feel the sting of this intolerant order, and
'e debarred from enjoying the fruits Of that
rec which was planted by the assistance Of
heir fathers. The Constitution of the United
,tofor 10 fo,odod ,,non thu hrnod hou;o ~
christian equality, of human brotherhood 1t
ecognises the inalenable right of all men to
ull participation in the affairs of that govern
nent under which they live. 1t repudates the
Id British doctrine of taxation without repre-
entation, which produced the war Of the
American Revolution, and asserts the Ameri-
an doctrine, that "all men are born equal"
nd that all just governments receive their
lowers from the consent of the governed. In
word, the Constitution of the United States
laces each man, as an individual, on par
nth all other men, so far as his political rights
re concerned, and forbids the introduction Of
ny other tests of citizenship than those recog-
lied by that instrument.
Such is the instrument which has raised this
alton to its present proud position-such the
asis upon which the civil and religious rights
I its citizens have been erected Such, also.
the platform the Democratic party of the
)nion has at all times acted upon. Whenever
he Constitution has been menaced or attack
d, the Democratic party has rallied to its sup
ort. With them there is no North, no South,
o East, no West, no cline, no religion. The
My test is obedience to the Constitution and
Jaws of the country, and then the door of po-
teal equality is thrown open to the down-trod-
Ell and oppressed of all lands. This is the
rue Interpretation of the Constitution, and it
to defend this that the Democratic party are
ow called upon. When, therefore, secret as
ociations are organized whose members are
ound by oath to oppose the cardinal princi-
les of the Constitution, it becomes the duty,
$ it is the glory of the Democracy, to nail
heir old time honored flag to the mast head,
nd bare their arms for the fight
The Know Nothings have openly proclaim
d war of eternal ostracism against all citi-
ems who are not born in this country, as well
oil those who belong to particular religion