Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-09-21
senator Pratt's Letter-An American
Union Party.

Union Fdftys
The counsels of a statesman who breasted
The current of reputation to restore the credit
and character Of the State over which he pre-
sided, are at all times worthy respectful con-
sideration In the present political embarrass-
ment they are particularly valuable, because
they bear that prestige Of personal sincerity,
which is indispensable TO public confidence
Senator Pratt reviews the more recent his
tory of the Wing and Democratic parties de
comes to the impartial conclusion, that the
first have enlisted in sectional contest for the
spells. That the second has been broken down
by the possession Of power He condemns the
American organization for its alleged proscrip-
ton Of the Catholics, and he recommends the
formation Of an Union party, to be composed
of American citizens, without regard to past
political organizations.
We agree with two Of these propositions.
The Democratic party is hopelessly over
thrown. It's administration is in a miserable
minority of its own party. The party itself
has been divided by the Free.soil question I'M
til it would be easier to unite any two political
antagonisms, as they have heretofore existed,
than to establish cordial union between the
anti-Slayery and National Democrats. The
proof Of this lies in the fact that Senator Pratt
an old line Wing, is now willing to unite with
those who have been heretofore old line Dem
ocrats; whilst Mr.. Dickinson (DemocraD would
unite with any respectable association whatso-
ever, sooner than with Van Buren,, Democrat
The Democratic party is dispersed, and--ex-
cept for the remainder biscuit" of their
political voyage--entirely without any means
Of influence. The Northern Wing party has
fused with the Black Republicans, whose only
"known rule of warfare" is the agitation Of
the question Of slavery, as the most efectual
means of bringing the sectional power Of the
Northern States to bear upon the Treasury
and patronage OF the Federal Government.
Senator Pratt's objections to the anti Catholic
clause Of tho Philadelphia platform, are such
as are generally urged. We have given our
own exposition of that clause, as intended in
its own language to apply 10 those oaty 'oho
do not hold any allegiance directly or iadi-
rcctly TO any foreign Po,oer, aohether cioi'
or ecclesiastical, and nho are americans By
birth, education, and training" The Ameri-
can Order in Louisiana has disclaimed its ap-
plication in any other sense, and have organ,
lied upon the very principle proposed by Sen.
ator Pratt We shall not repeat our argument
to show that the American opposition to an ac-
Acknowledgement of Papal supremacy, is but an
opposition to the higher law, and only applies
to Archbishop Hughes, as to the Rev'd Thco-
dorc Parker, having in fact no more bearing
upon the religious faith of the one, than the al.
most total want of it in the other.
Senator Pratt proposes as remedy, for the
present political confusions, and an amend
ment for an equivocal clause in the American
creed, the formation of a Union party. As this
is precisely the ground upon which the plat.
form americans stand, il would of course meet
our entire appreciation If it were more
practicable mode Of attaining that object than
that TO which we have devoted ourselves. But
let us examine the suggestions practically, as
Senator Pratt proposes in effect new party
and new name. If this proposition were
made in any State where the Wings 60 aomi.
ne are in the ascendancy, they would reply'to
it substantially as did the Wings Of Massachu-
sets, when they were appealed to with SINH
lar proposition. He would be told there were
no more offices than there were Wings TO oc-
cipy them, and they had no idea Of dividing a
loaf with another, when there was no more
tan they wanted themselves. Ex-senator Pratt
win apply to the Democrats of Virginia, they
have given their answer. They hold the
power in that State. There Is no other national
party except the Democratic party. They
have no objection that all who oppose aboli.
ton should join them az subordinates-tha all
victories, and the consequent distribution OF
all spoils, shall enure TO the honor, and be sub
iect to the disposal, of the Democratic party.
In Maryland we presume the reply would be
the same In word, whenever the Wing or
Democratic party il in State or local MAORI
~, no consideration Of protection or common
danger would induce them 10 abandon their
own organization 20 90 into any other II
the observation and good sense Of Senator
Pratt has not arrived at this result, he has only
TO submit this proposition to the test of cxpe-
rience, and he will agree with us, that no party
viii voluntarily give up power and salary, until
power aud salary shall have been Withdrawn
from them by the people. They win die with
The mama between their teeth. If Senator
Pratt does not think with us, We have to
propose that he shall send circulars TO the
leading men Of both parties, and permit us to
publish their responses
The American party has been organized for
the purpose, and with the effect Of drawing
out from these despodc parties the honest men
who belong TO them II was to protect such
men from denunciation SANDER, and violence,
that it was organized in secret and for a long
time avoided any publicity. But il is now an
open organization IT. creed and purposes
are the subjects Of legislative enactment
Its object is to maintain the Union, TO
preserve from foreign infection the institu-
lions q this country; 70 protect the laws
.