The true Democrat., 1855-03-07
Democrats in the negative Wings in the negative

Thus, it will be seen, that while the mass of the democratic party were in favor of consider ing the resolutions and of eliciting information upon the subject, the mass of the whg party shrank from the discussion and the consequent exposure. This vote shows more clearly than any thing else we have seen the origin, the ob- jects and the source of the power of Know Nottingham It Is but a new name for whig. gery-but new cloak for whig designs A few democrats, 1t is true, have been seduced from their party and admitted into the sanctuary of the secret order of American patriots, but the mass ofthe democracy of the countryside only really and trul ly national party in the Union have found nothing sufficiently fascinating in this secret patriotism to allure them from the great land marks pointed out by Jefferson, Madison and Jackson. They are, as they aI. ways have been, true to their fath--unmoved and unaffected by the periodical ism, brought into mushroom existence, preparatory to every struggle for the presidential chair.
 The Washington Union, in characterising this secret patriotism, which seems to take so wonderfully with whig leaders and whg news papers, throws out some very just reflections It asks, can patriotism be secret? Is it crime that it should be concealed? Is it shame and stain that men should blush to own it?''
 There must be something wrong in Know Nottingham, or such studied secrecy would not be practised. Patriotism, the highest of all public virtues, does not require concealment in free country like this or if it does, woe to the liberties of America! When public sentiment becomes such, that the patriots, in their endea- vors to restore tue governnent to its original pu- 1aty," must operate under cover of secrecy, the spirit of liberty which has so long lowered over and around us must surely be about to take its departure
 The following from the Washington Union, presents picture worthy the contemplation of every Know-Nothing:
 Fancy statesman like Henry Clay, whose liberal and lofty character made its mark upon an age of intellectual giants, crawling along a dark and stifing alley, through the back door, and up the unllghted stairs, of an old store- room, or school-house, hiding his face in his cloak-ar'd aN this 10 shoao his patriotismi Im- 1 aglne the glorious and gallant veteran of Michi- gan, General Cass, seeking the ompanionship of men who are afraid of the light, ia orcler that he nnght slaow hls devotion to tue couatry' Think of Daniel Webster, whose career is so full of noble deeds that, like the sun, whose spots are lost in its luminous rays, we are too glad to for get them-think of him covering along the narrow streets of Boston to meet midnight gang of abolition knaves, intent upon the idea that Americans should rule America. Recall Thomas Jefferson, and typify him as partner Of Bolts and Stuart, eager to sell the South into the hands of her worst enemies as a sort of tri- bute to the cause of religious toleration!
 Patriotism is not secret. It scorns disguises It thrives alone in the air of investigation and in the light of liberty. It recoils from the oath of a clandestine conspiracy. There can be no such hang as secret patriotism.