The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-03-16
THE WHO'S AND THE KNOW. NorHSos-lss2 AMI

1855.
The coalition Of the wings and the knownothings
longer matter for doubt speculation. The wings MS
party have no longer political existence The whg party
with its great principles and its gallant leaders, has been
prosttuted the OF religious intolerance
It's forces have disbanded and marched under another
banner Of the demagogue and the bgot In
stead Of rayng now in days gone by with desperate
courage and soul-srring enthusiasm in support of
and Of their own, the wings with few notable
exceptions have taken refuge in the midnight lodges
abandoned and prohigate eonspirators against the
constitution Instead of standing upon their prin-
ciples--prneiples which Clay and Webster devoted
their lvesthe wings have taken up the principles of
blind bitter remorseess faction under whose auspices
they expect to regain their lost power humia-
ting spectacle has been presented in the history
American politics 1t is enough make Clay and Webster
in their collins II is enough make General Scott
bow his head in shame at the reflection that he the
candidate of such party for the presidency II enough
to make any who has been a whig except those who
make politics traffic game of chance for money
flee his old associates fly from pestilence or
plague.
For the great of the wings have hope Pow
and patronage the moving influences in the
against religion and birthplace which now reves
in triumph and for power and patronage the great
OF the wings will soop to anything There are however
among the wings many noble spirits who despse whatever
is low debasing and who, their old faith and
reverencng the teaching and example of Clay and Web
ser act in fellowship with the leaders the know
nothing order Such with the unclean
spirits who control and direct that organization They
must necessity unite their fortunes with those of the
dap,o tba hoyc,.
To such appeal; and to show that our
appeal is without authority, we take this oc-
casion to recur to the opinions announced by the
wing party in the presidential canvass of 1852. The
wings strove then to conciate the nauralized citizens
and excite the preudces of the Catholic community
false charge against Gen. Pierce The Irish and the
Germans then good worthy citizens now they are
low vagabond riotous and prestrdden Catholics we're
then saunch republicansthe first to proclaim religious
freedom in the American colonies now they are foes to
freedom and free government every vassas and
retaners of foreign potentateathe Pope Such was
the wing doctrine in 1884, and such the wing creed in
1855. Is there there be- lower deep Of political
fanny? II there be- hope for the honor Of humanity
never that lower deep attained.
But leave nothing conjecture let us recur to the
congressional debates Of 1852 and the speeches of
leading wings in the House Of Representatives We have
before speech of the Hon. Hiram Bell of Ohio in re-
ply his colleague Dr. Ods and in defence Of General
Scott from the charge of hostility citizens of foreign
birth.
To refute this charge thus made against General Scott
Mr. Bell introduced the following letter of that distinguish
ed American to Mr.. William L. Robinson
DEAN In reply to your kind letter of the instant
take pleasure in saying that grateful for the partial
you place my public services you do more
than justice in assuming that entertain kind and liberal
views toward citizens Certainly it would
be impossible for to recommend support any
intended exclude them from just and full psrtcps
ton in all civil and political rights secured them BY
our republican laws and institutions.
1t true that in Of unusua excitement, some
years ago. when both parties complained OF fraudulent
tees in the naturalization Of foreigners and when there
seemed to be danger that native and adopted citizens would
be permanently arrayed against each other in hostile fac
tons inclined the opinion, then avowed by
many leading statesmen, that modification the
laws might be necessary order prevent
aay STRIFE and harmony between the different
Of people. But later and reflection hare
rely removed his impression and disspated my Gppehen
IRONS.
In my campaign Mexico very large proportion
of the under my command your countrymcn
(Irish,) Germans DC, eitncsed admiration their
seal fidelity, and raior IN flag he face Of
danger Fieiny Nth each other and
soldiers The ranks patriotism eonsancy heroic
daring, happy cuA them brothers ia ne Held
shan aluoys be 10 serre them coaatvyraea home.
remain, dear sir, with great esteem, yours truly,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
Wsf. L. RoBrNsoS, esq
This letter Of Gen Scott was ample for his vindcaton
but Mr. Bell To make his proof stronger,
be remarked follows:
Gen. Scott in his letter Of acceptance Of the
dated 24h june 1884, in speaking Of what he would approve
President the following language That he would
approve single alteration naturalization laws ug
gested by my military experience viz giving all foreign
the right Of citizenship who shall faithfully serve, time
of war, IN
FORCES, REouLAR voIusTEEa, their re-
oeipi1g honorable di.cAorge from seyeics.'
These, Mr., Chairman the sentiments and opinions Of
the length and breadth OF the land
These" Mr. Bells language Athe sentiments
and opinions Of General Scott in 1852 with regard
ualizaton and naturazed ctzenssentments and opin-
ions liberal than those avowed by any other Of
public General Scott willing bestow citizen
ship in consideration Of years service ia time Of war;
in the army navy and that 4Ae single aaeraon in
naturalization laws which be would make. The
wings supported General Scott for the presidency
cepted his opinions sound and liberal in 1852 The
wings repudiae the opinions in 1855; nay they
caumnate and prosecute whoever avows them a. anti
American and the slave OF foreign priesthood Gen
Scott however stands the opinions he then SO frankly
announeeda least have yet learn that he has aban-