The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1855-05-26
A Contrast

A Contrast.
Some Democrats who have Joined The know moth
nrs ssy they are ~ good and ~ firm In The demo-
cratic faith - ever, and claim TO be democrats still
rhis 10 strange, II II be true. Facts do not bear
them out in any such conelasion. They now oct
md vote with party, whose principles, 70 far -
they are known to the public, directly conflict with
Of the most vital principles that the democratic
party have always sustained. This IL very poor
way Of being democrat, to say the least off The
democratic party every where act above board, and
proclaim their principles from the house tops The
know nothings are secret and hidden in oil their
meetings, and measures, except 20 far -
accident has made them public. The democratic
party proscribcs man on account Of his place Of
birth, The know nothings without discrimination,
declare oil persons Of foreign birth unfit to hold any
ONCE Of trust or profit under the government The
democratic party claim the right for every one to
worship God according 70 the dictates Of bic own
conscience, and make no Distinction between citizens
protesting different faith. The know nothlngs de-
nounce the Catholics on account Of their religion
and declare them unfit to he trustedas worthy cit-
zens although they assisted In establishing our free
dom. and have always been "A devoted to the coun-
try heretofore, ~ any other class. The democratic
party leaves to every one, perfect freedom to act
and vote, ~ his own sense Of duty and prcpriety
may dictate The know nothings bind their mem
hers by secret oaths to vote according to the die
tates Of majority, or the direction Of the grand
council or not to vote At all under penalty Of being
Published In al the know nothing lodges throughout
the land, "a perjured villain. traitor, and scoun
drel The democratic party have ever supported
law and order, and the equal rights Of all In the
ercise of the elective franchise, denouncing alike
dctaton, or intimidation at the polls tyranncal
and dangerous to the peace Of society and the per-
petuty Of our free institutions. The know nohings
have been known to 70 armed to the polls, In many
instances for the purpose Of overawng and prevent
ing naturalized citizens from voting for fear of VI
olence to their persons or Of taking their lives
They have nstigated riots and bloodshed In some Of
the great cities Of this nation, and on one ortwo oc
casons have destroyed the ballot boxes by violence,
to prevent an election which they knew had gone
against them. The democrat party have ever sought
to elevate the masses by holding out the equal right
of all to prefermcnt, requiring only honesty, capa
city and faithfulness to the constitution. The know
and the Catholics by setting them apart from the
rest and prescribing them as unfit to discharge the
duties, or to enjoy the privileges, which the const
tuition and the laws confer. The democratic party
seek everywhere TO give free expression to public
opinion, by freely, fairly and openly discussing oil
measures connected with the rights and interests Of
the people, the policy eff the government, and the
conduct of their public agents. The know nothing
party seek to govern the whole people by the agency
and machinery of secret councils, organised through
out the country, In which the few lord 1t over the
many, In violation of every principle of popular
government and In utter contempt the intelligence
of the people, and their capacity to govern them
selves.
The democratic party have nothing secret. All
their principles measures candidates. and organiza-
tions are sought to be made Ms public as the most
ardent democrat in the Union could desire There
Ia no underhanded work about t-no mystery-no-
thing hidden.
The know nothing party act directly opposite to
this All issecret, hidden, mysterious. Who knows
what measures they advocate by their own showing,
except their prescription Of foreigners and catholics
from the privileges which the constitution and laws
confer upon them. Upon every other other question
oil is dark as midnight
The democratic party by their principles and their
practice, inculcate in the public mind love Of truth
friendship, candor fairness, magnanmity, honesty,
moral bravery, and patriotism The know nothing
party, by their sneaking, undetermined manner, Of
stunning public scrutiny, in their attempts to con-
troll public opinion inculcate deceit, falsehood, cow
ardice treachery, distrust persecution, and gene
raj want of confidence from man towards bis fellow
man.
With these facts before them how is it possible for
any one calling himself democrat to belong to the
know nothings? lie has either deceived himself or
is trying to deceive others. Know nothinglsm and
democracy perfectly antipoda to each other, and
any democrat who has joined the know nothings, and
still continues with them, ought to have independ-
ence enough to quit the order cease to claim to
be, what he evidently not, a democrat, We prefer
open enemies to pretended friends.
COMMUNICATED.
Attorney General.
Among those who will be presented to the Baton
Rouge Convention for nominating State officers will
be the name of E. W. MorsE, for Attorney General