Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-18

think you, the North would remain as patient
and as forbearing as the South has shown herself
to be? Yet this is but faint picture of the ac-
tual warfare now ragged against the unresisting
South for, superadded TO all other horrors of the
servile instruction TO which the North is con-
stantly exciting slaves, are the nameless hor-
rors which such a calamity would infiict on our
wives and our daughters.
And now, fellow citizens, when the gloomy
pect Of public affairs should induce you to take
counsel with each other in devisng means to
avert dangers 50 imminent, what are the people
of Louisiana doing? Are they uniting in one
great Southern party upon some platform similar
to that of Georgia, on which we can all stand
together and meet with frmness the coming
shock Are they like watchInen on The tower
straining their anxious vision towards the quarter
whence danger mpends? Not at ALL
The Wings of Louisiana, or four-fifth of them,
have been seduced into joining an organization,
which, although calling itself the American party,
has no claim TO the name of a party at all. Ii is
a mere association for the purpose of influencing,
not the measures by which the public good is TO
be attained, but the by whom the offices are
TO be filled. oh what wretched fall from the
proud traditions Of the gallant Wings Of the
olden time!
Although entirely unnecessary to ecaptulate
the often urged objections against this new or
ganizaton, | will state succinctly that | am OPP
posed TO their principles,
Because they anti-republican in refusing
equal political rights to all American citizens:
Because they violate the spirit if not the very
letter of the Constitution by the prescription of
citizens the ground of their religious belief
because they are u retrogression towards the
| errors OF the dark ages, in tending towards a
union of Church and State, union equally dam
gerous to civil and religious liberty:
Because they present issues addressed to the
Of tbe nd
tend to divert their attention from those higher
subjects over which it is their duty to keep cease
| less watch:
Because, above all, they infringe that priceless
| privilege of freeman, the right of independent
personal action, guided by Independent personal
Judgment.
If not one of all these objections, insuperable
IN my opinion, existed against this organization,
repeat that would refuse to join body held
| together, not by the ties of common belief in
certain principles and measures of public policy,
but simply by their preference Of themselves as the
right class Of men for obiceholders. Even if this
| preference were wise and judcious such an asso-
ciation does not deserve the name Of party in
republic ii lacks the essential elements of one;
| il is a baseess fabric, unsubstantial and ephe-
| neral
1t is impossible that such of our fellow citizens
as have still adhered to the Know -nothings after
| the gnominous scenes at the National Conven-
ton lately held in Philadelphia, can long remain
deceived. The light of reason is already break
ing on them Every day adds TO the proof that
so far the North is concerned, the whole
strength of the party rests on two bases, one of
violent hostility to the South the other of big
oted intolerance towards Catholics | put il to
you as candid men, if the Northern Know no
things were to refuse admission into their lodges
Of all enemies TO the South, and all unwilling to
extend equal political rights to Catholics how
many members of the party would remain Not
enough to carry constable election in any
ward or district in Northern State
To speak of party as national, the platforms
OF which are sectional, is to do violence to the re-
ceived meaning of language, and none can long
remain deceived, except the willing dupes
Although the Democratic party is not yet so
thoroughly disorganized the Wing party, it
requires no political sagacity to perceive that it
cannot maintain itself as national party. The
few truly national Democrats who remain at the
North have been reduced to minority so insig-
| nificant that their struggles become more and
more faint, and their voice is now scarcely heard
in the roar of the popular clamor for what is
called +" Freesoil. y The dissatisfaction engen
dered by the conduct Of the present Administra-
ton has thoroughly disheartened the party which
to cope successfully with the growing fanaticsm
and intolerance of the North, and will be unable
to preserve the national features of the platform
In it, as party, have lite hope for the South,
and neither It's failure nor its III the en-
suing election would, in my judgment, retard or
advance the crisis now impending.
Impressed with these views of public affairs.
shall hold aloof from the present State canvass
will not even join the attempt TO revive the organ-
zation of the Wing party. Its ashes alone remain,
and the Phoenix is equally fable in political as
in natural history. | shall await the fast ap-
preaching time when not only Louisiana but the
entire South, animated by single spirit, shall
struggle for its dearest rights, and in defence of
that Constitution which is their most precious
heritage. When that day shall come-as soon
it will-when all the distinctions of Wing, Dem
ocrat and know-nothing shall have been oblite-
rated, shall not, trust be found the last of
those who will battle in behalf Of the great South
ern party, organized to meet and combat the az
gressions of Northern Aboitionism, fanaticism,
and treason
Respectfully, your fellow citizen,
j. p. BENJAMIN