Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-09-26
CnuShIaTartar.

A committee of Know Nothings of
Baltimore, recently informally rendered
the nomination ftheir party for Congress,
to W. P. Preston, who replied as follows:
BALTIMORE, September 10th, 1855.
To James H. Wood, Frederick S.
Green and H. r. Reynolds, Esqrs.
Gentlemen In reply to your letter Of
this morning, desire to say that whenev-
err any of my fellow citizens have done
me the honor, to ask an expression of
my opinion, ON public question, 1 have
given it frank y, plainly, without reserva-
ton, and as directly to the purpose as it
was in my power to do.
My engagements at this time do not
admit Of my writing very long letter ;
but with great respect shall meet your
request by making my answer prompt"
and "plain." You seek to know wheth-
er l am DESTROYS for a nomination by the
American party as their candidate for
Congress in the third Congressional Dis
trict.
If, by this question, you mean to ask
whether l approve the doctrines Of the
Philadelphia platform, l unhesitatingly,
answer no. My political life has been de-
voted to the principles of RepubIicansm
as proclaimed and maintained by the
Declaration of Independence and the
| Constitution Of the United States. have
always been Democrat OF the jefferson
school. believe that the doctrines
taught by that great sire of the Rcvolu~
ton are inestimable to the world, and
politically l shall worship at that shrine
as long rs live. With my views, could
not, without being guilty of treason to
mankind, subscribe to doctrine which
prOScrlbes man on account of his reli>
gion. l claim the privilege Of worshiping
God according to the dictates of my own
conscience, and no man can rightfully
punish me or place me at disadvantage
for so doing. ryrants may chain the
body, but mans immortal mind is under
the dominion of God alone. The right
which l claim is equally the right of all
men. 49,
The Platform in terms asserts for the Ro>
man Catholic Church aggressive policies
and cOrrupting tendencies" and on these
grounds proclaims resistance" to Cath>
| oIics. Many of:rny most esteemed friends
are Roman Catholics. | have played
with them in childhood-have shared
with them in their Joys and sorrows, and
have associated with them through man
hood. Many Of them are now estimable
citizens whom | have always loved and
honored-several have for years past adj
minlstered the laws which govern us, and
here assert as soemnIy as ifl had made
the declaration under oath, that as far as
my knowledge extends. the men to whom
| refer have discharged their duty to God
and their country with fidelity and honor.
How then could l embrace political
creed which works out the social and po-
Iitical prescription Of these citizens No
gentlemen Much as | desire to. repre-
sent the District in Congressional | do
most earnestly desire that honor-I cans
not have it at such a price. | would not
accept the most exalted place on earth
the executive Chair of this Union--if in do
ing SO, | were compelled to repudiate
those provisions of the Federal Consttu-
ton which declare that Congress shall
make no law respecting an establishment
Of religion or prohibiting the free exercise
Of" and ono religious test should ever
be required as a qualification to any office
or public trust under the United States. )"
Even if these clauses were not in the Con-
stitutiOn should be Of the same opinion.
am thoroughly convinced that I'M
ion of politics and religion has been the
curse Of every country wherever such un-
ion has prevailed. 1t is at this moment
the basis OF European despotism, and l
would as soon think Of associating God
and the Devil as religion and politics.