The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-06-20
The Know Nothing Convention.

The Know Nothing Convention.
We extract the following from the
correspondence of the New YORK Herald,
dated June 10, 1855:
The session Of yesterday was devoted
almost entirely to the consideration Of the
claims Of the anti Catholic delegation from
Louisiana, and resulted, after protract.
ed debate, and by very decisive majority
in their full recognition and admission to
the deliberations Of the convention. This
decision decides the vexed question; and
hereaf er It must be understood that none
but those opposed to the preten,ions Of
the papal hierarchy will be fellowshipped
blythe American party. need not af.
firm,tis presumed, that such decision
will meet the cordial and concurrent APP
proval ofthe whole fraternity.
The absorbing topic here is tho pl At
form--a mfasufe replete with so much
difficulty, that its early solution is most
anxiousl y, and, had almost written, inn
patiently, awaited. To the full extent Of
my observations-and they have been
general as we'll as critical-I am inclined
to the belief that no platform can or will
be erected upon which the entire party
can or will stand. The distinctive dog.
mas Of the North and South-the very
antipodes Of each in positive demands
can never he harmonised and converted
into unity of sentiment and opinion,
and the effort now being SO sedulously
made BY the intelligent committee ap.
pointed in this behalf must fail, as all sim
liar ones have done, in the proposed re-
Cancellation Of such uncongenial, incon-
gruous and opposite principles.
| am aware that the hope is held out
to the ear, and ought to be impressed on
the heart, that the thing itseltis not only
practicable, but that considerable progress
has positively been made towards the at
tainment-and in proc. It's stated that the
great and disturbing question of slavery
has already found an impregnable con-
stitutional defence, and in terms not to be
misunderstood and misrepresented. 'Tis
true, the plank Of the platform on this
vexed question hss, in the committee and
at the suggestion Of the District Of CO.
lumbia, found constitutional basis, and
for the time rests secu-e by large vote.
But what Of that, does the plank suit
Massachusetts, and New England gene
rally, and perhaps one or two Of the Wes-
ern States Who will affirm that il does
II it suited, why, as is now being made,
was an effort instituted yesterday to con-
vene a caucus on TO morrow evening TO
take into consideration the threatened en-
croachments Of "the slave power" and to
enunciate the New England ultimatum on
the subjecti
Rely upon 1t no compromise can or will
be made, and the upshot Of the whole
business will be that all the disseniions 70
national constitutional party will have
leave to quit, whilst those in It's favor, be-
ing free from sIl such entangling alliances,
and aided by the national men Of New
England, Of whom "more than seven
thousand can be found who have not
bowed the knee to BaaLr will constitute
the great constitutional conservative A
merican party.
The deliberations of the convention will
present no striking or interesting features,
until the report Of she Platform Comm;t-
tee, when may be expected most able,
sloquent and angry debate.
The South is most ably ,epresented,
sna | but record the common sentiment
Nhen ] make the abatement.
The North is also ably represented, but
not generally by men Of such marked q.