The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-08-18
WASHINGTON CITY.


the democratic party in all the States and Territories of
the Union signay manifested than in
the position of that party the question present.
ed 10 the country by the secret organization
The patriotic duty Of opposition to this conspiracy seems
TO have animated the democracy everywhere as by
irresistible instinct In the midst Of the misrep
reservations and the camor Of the wings and the abo-
itonss the subject of Nebraska the project OF pro-
scriplion came in new element OF political conro-
versy and gladly seized upon by the latter the
and only way Of eectually destroying the democratic
party With equal promputude and with much more
general acquescencc the democratic party took the other
side the commenced Thousands of wings
the progress of this anti Christian an-repubcan crusade
and refused second it and many who had followed the
varying fortunes of the old Clay and Webster leaders
painfully realized the utter humiliation of their
condition. and preferred neutrality open opposition to
the responsibility Of any longer connexion with party
which had proved itself only too willing to seize upon
every natieism that might help it into power AS long,
however the knownothngs and aboltonists could use
their kindred eTctemens in the northern States parcu
lary in the mpulsve and exaggerated condition of the
public mind few wings could be found actively oppose
the combinaon and the first fruits Of the coalition
many disastrous defeats the democratic party 1t
only when Virginia threw herself into the that
and rapid reaction. The vctors in the North became
the victims in the South and they recoed before the
onset of a triumphant democracy thousands whom
they had FIRST deluded their and abandoned
their connexon with the know-nothing conspirators.
All that is required to complete the work so hap
PLY begun in the South is fair opportunity and
an open field to the democratic party in the free
States. Such is the reward of adherence to princ-
nj snc A well and earleFsly
performed such the realization Of the prophecy Of the
Washington Union when the know-nothing epidemic
first broke out and when this journal declared that let
the rage it mighe the batteries of intolerance
and Of prescription down their thousandsyet that
would be soon if only the democrats
planted themselves upon the right and refused compro
mise with the wrong. They did and the consequences
are before us.
This duty well discharged, another and weghty obi
cation remains to be adhered to- This is the duty Of
purging The ranks Of the democracy from all who persist
clngiag 10 the knoto-nothiny order.
1t is because the leaders of the old wing party did not
at take this that thousands OF wings have fallen
into the tolls of the proscriptionists many States
where the wings at first doubtful what do the
knownothngs silently usurped the machinery of the
whig organization; and when a whig meeting is
called the knownothngs quietly take possession in
their officers under of being wings and quiet
y select their friends for the Offices This has become
vortc practice with the honorable and hgh-mnded
conspraors against liberation and equality that many
places ia not safe for the wings to coll meeting Such
is Of the injurious results of having for party lead
whose aspirations all selfish and whose whole
idea of principle is resolved into opposition to the demo-
cratic party.
The democracy, the other hand, pursue en-
tirey different coursehe at of duty and Of
principle and they saved from host of Affections
by it. The moment hey find themselves betrayed by any
who processes to be democrat after he has put the
chains of the nquston they rcpudate him with indig
nation Every State every county almost every election
district throughout the Union, furnish examples
this kind We have yet to find the first instance in which
tho democrats have failed to reject and eject those who
have thus outraged all honor and truth 1t has been the
in the North and in the South--n the East and
in the West No matter how the offender might prevar
cate he compelled to dsgorge his dark secret and
90 out with athe scarlet letter. branded upon his brow
II he contrved to get upon democratic ticket his name
taken off, and sent forth the synonym of trea
son to truth and to manhood. If he crept into
mating convention he avoided and expelled
At every democratic meeting that is held the pledge Of
relentless and unceasing upon the proscrpve con-
spracy renewed and adopted by reclamation. Every
convention to select candidates for place installed by
rigid examination of every delegate the question
knownothngism And while this is the of the masses
of the democratic party the nominees of that party are
alike bold and incorporating. Whether be WISE
Virginia; Medill of Ohio Johnson of Tennessee John
son, of Georgia. Wicklfe of Louisiana Winston Of Ala
bama; Pease of Texas; Clarke of Kentucky or any other
democratic candidates for governors in other States any
OF the candidates for any other stations the Of OPP
position to the knownohngs is emphatic and unequivo-
cal And 1t is only by maintaining this stand and dis
charging this high duty with courage that tho democrats
viii be able to meet the expectations of the country
Consistent with this memorable rule of action however
is that other duty of the democratic party to rescue
"brands from the burning all such have been deceived
into the midnight inquison Some of the very best men
of both the great parties have been thus deceived and
such these daily breaking out from the dens which
they entrappcd gladly welcomed back to their
old principles There is wide and deep difference be-
tween in this category and those enter the order
with the deliberate purpose of deraudng and beraying
their friends.
When these duties wei and theoretically fulfilled
the hearts of patriotic papitac in sympathy with the
party capable Of such inrepdity and dazzling destiny
is the exerons of those who are not afraid
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