Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-05-04
KNOw-NOTHISGISM PROVED SYNONY-
MoUSWlTEI OLD FEDERALISM AND Blue
LIGHT HARTFORD CONvENTIONISM, BY,

! LIGHT HARTFORD CONVENTIONISM, BY
IT'S OWN AUTHORITY.
a friend says the Snuth-Side Democratl has put
us in possession of the Know Nothing Almanac and
True Americans Manual of 1885, issued by De Wit
and Davenport, of New York, and no doubt under
the authority of tha Grand Council of the United
States.' This book we learn, has be0n industlously
circulated throughout the country. and is evidently
the source OF all the material which tho Know No
thing orators and organs, 90 upon, and have gone
upon Cor months. Tho following extract from this
manifesto contains two pregnant admissions of what
has been charged by tho Democrats on the orgnniza-
ton from its inception
We trust our friends will use this confcssion and II
still further proof o. lis correctness be required it can
be found in the fact, that the Hartford Convention
met, like tho WINCHESTER Convention, with closed
doors. and Anonymous members, and in the further
fuct, that the Grs resolution adopted 10y tho former IL
almost Identical in terms with the first Of the basis
principles announced by .he latter.
"Such were the .ant;mcnts of the purcst patriot
that ever lived and ci in his day. it was not 80 i'm
peratvely necessary foreigners should ber restrict
ed in their nsolrni sumptans. Rs 1t afterwards be,
came, when they f,Sud teir power and political
influence rapidly incsensng. Indeed there Is hot
in which tho nlcn portion Of our ?"pulaom has not
BEEN more on lCss troublesome.
at is q matter of history, and known IN nli INN
the Alien and ,C!iti1n Laws which were passed ny
Congress in l19S, were intended check upon me
foreign portion uf the people OF those times; ana
when VIC rcmel:hcr that there were In,""o Fr"hch'
men who zero devoted 10 their native land. and who
would rs soon have sought the subugatlon OF the
country rs To have ought for its entire independence
lighting their business, and pay made om ilSh')
W. cannot wonder nt the apprclIcrslons lhat gave
rise to thosr acts, which false, shori-siGhtcd ANA
morbid liberGlity on tlk part oi many weli-!neai'G
bu, tcludrd men had d osed, from the bes,.;c:: q
the agitation 81 :ic subject. lh'r" "cTs $50 ~ ''iI
ti;,c secret club. and a."c., So;iaed among IT,"
French in Americ: l:y, ta%in together u !,.:rcn-
ers md l.! ,G,.ricn ar! selfish pWrnoes thus rem
% l., ln.hsc.ycs torntahiG body of aliens. In
addition 10 thcsc frrshsicn. there JO,G"0 VIII"
had heen cubispls Of Gre Britain, Gml more
attached 10 that country than !Ais. 1t also COLI
tc,r!cd that the p"rsu,is Who by iEe law na:.
liable to hc required 10 leave the count" It..e 40!
citizeus,--had no iue! clam- :, 1. oalimnnnce here
and that their RS. e...yi w.lu he views they lH ami
the i:.C.,s iGSy !h:hiished, endangered the welfare
u the na0n, for which Il the lmpcrious duty pi
Congress ta provide.
This gave rse t. the agitation Of Anercansr -.
Foreignisln, ani tho Amcricun Ecdu.. {, party had
to contend as""'NHs .'.anO.so Of tho nn'ural1cd
foroie3 a. ~" ballot hoy. Bat Jefferson was elect
cd ;,y ii,a disatitrtrd balance OF power" and rs
reward for services rendered. The time of prohH;;@.
was reduced from (onrtIn yenrs 80 .e!a under
Adams administration, n zee years. In lSli-I5
the Eee &i,s,. expressed grca, dissatisfaction, in
sequence of the power and influence of Foreigners,
and they tho American party nf :iha,f tl!ne.