The true Democrat., 1855-06-12

distinguished whig leader of Tennessee has written letter on this subject in reply to one from Captain John H. Drake. He sympathiz- es with that portion of the know nothing creed which proposes to change the naturalization laws and exclude foreigners from offlce In this respect he takes the ground of the old na- , tive American party; but does not go even in this, the only portion of their doctrine he at all approves, to the extent of the hndoos. Ii On this Subject he says
 "Nbat the remedy should be, or how far it should extend. is question worthy of the pro- foundest consideration. Ours has been proud lv denominatcd the land of the free and the home of the oppressed. trust in Heaven that nothing will ever be done to rObt of this proud appellaton. I would open wide the arms of this great and free country to the honest poor and oppressed of every land. would hold out to them no special inducements to come; vet when driven by persecution, poverty and op- pression, they come here seeking an asylum, l would bid them welcome, and receive them to a generous hospitality, remembering that of such were our fathers"
 Their secrecy and religious prescription he thinks exceedingly odious On the subject of secrecy, we make the following extract:
 "I do not see the necessity for, or propriety of, any secret political organization ill country like ours In some of the despotisms of the Old World where the heaviest restrictions on thought, word and action are imposed, secret political associations, seeking to emancipate themselves from oppressions l can understand and approve But in this country where every citizen is permitted to think, speak, vote and act for himself, do not perceive any such ne- cessity and cannot approve either its wisdom or policy.'
 In speaking of their prescribing Catholics on account of their religion, he says:
 "The constitution declares there shall be no religious test Such discrimination is at war with the spirit and genius of our institutions The best interest of the State and the church, according to the teaching of all history, require that they be kept separate and distinct. How long can this be done when you make mans religious faith test for office; how long before you will find it in some insduous form creeping into vour halls of legislation? 1 can never consent. by any agency of mine, to be instru- mental in mingling politics and religion togeth err they are not harmonious elements and Cal never mingle with each other. The day tha the church shall descend from its high position to mingle in the conflicts of party politics, that day will see her brightness Ubscured, her pow. CTS demolished and her usefulness impaired ant her glory departed.
 When you have succeeded Gf you ever shall in this political prescription, think you it vii stop there? When was the spirit of proscrip ton or ersccutiOn (ether religions or political satisfied by success? Never. The more you give, the more it itdemands How long afte: the attainmont of such triumph Cf it be attained at alp would it be before another church would come under the ban of political proscri puoni It will not do to tiatter ourselves that there i, 50 much harmony and Identity of feeling and interest between the various branches of the Protestant Church as to secure to them imnlu- nity from such catastrophe. Thus to suppose is to tasitv the truth of history and to dlsre 5arl the teachings of the past, even in our own coIn- try to say nothing of the warnings that come to us from other days and other countries.- What conflicts have been marked by more bit terness and rancor even in this country, thal those of religious charactet? might cite you to wars in our own day, which for bitterness malignity and vituperation would compare most successfully with the widest escapes of tho Hastings. 4 common purpose, with common victim, may for a season secure harmony anC unity of action; but when the battle is fought the victory won, feuds will be revived, ancient preludices and animosities will recur again, an other victim will be demanded, and then another scene of religious political prescription. He that sOWeth the wind must reap the whirl. wind.
 Our boast is that this is land of religious freedom and tolcraton What sort of freedom is that which ostracises large class of youl citizens. both native and foreign, for mere reli- gious opinion sake? This requirement that nc Catholic shall hold office, is the dearest poti- cal oatracism that can exist. And by it thou sands and tens of thousands of our own native born American citizens are excluded from any participation in the honors and offices of the country.
 There are but few Catholics in our own State but could cite you to many, even ill this small number, who are native born and if you will step across the line into our sister state, you will find between S, 5000 and 10000 Catholics, all born and reared on the soil of Kentucky-rear- ed and educated under tie teachings of the ven- erated Sage of Ashland-thc great body ofthcm possessing the same political faith that he DOS sessed Will you say thatthese shall be excu- ded from honor and office because of their re- ligion? How much farther can prescription %? Will you deny the Catholic a participation in the offices and honors Of that country, the blood of whose fathers was shed to make it a land of religious freedom? Will you impose taxes and burthens on them, for the support and mainten- ance of those offices, and yet say to them they shall not participate in them? The proposition is monstrous. It changes the order of things The time was, when the only test of qualifica- ton for office was "is he ho7aost-as he copa6le?' Old things are passing away. This is no longer the test The test now is not wheather he is honest and capable, but is he Catholic or not Does he or does he not belong to Sam? If Ca tholicism be wrong as a religious faith, and firmly believe it is, leave it to be combatted by reason, argument and truth. Invoke not the strong arm of political prescription to arrest it such policy will only multiply and increase their numbers"
 Letter from Fayetteville.
 Fayetteville, Ark, May 29, 1855. | EDITOR OF TRTTE DEMOCRAT When I y,ro+,