Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-08-08
10 my Fellow Citizens of the County of CIea-
VeIand.

10 my Fellow Citizens of the County of C1ea-
Veland.
Since the age of nineteen years, [ have been an
ardent admirer of the principles of the Democratic
party / have adhered to those principles, warmly
advocated them, and have ever supported men for
GOVERNING AMERICA" who professed and practic-
ed the doctrines of the Jeffersonan school, Some
six months since, however, l connected myself with
IN organization known, in common parlance, the
"Know-Nothing" party. l entered that party, in
considerably it is true, but with no sinister motive
nor am moved now to withdraw from it by any
such motive. At the first b!ush the principles of
the party struck my mind as being correct; but on
more careful investigation thereof and after duly
considering the consequences which naturally might
fow from them, find insurmountable objections.
do not propose at this time, neither shall now
attempt to enter at large into the many objections
entertain to the principles of the so called American
party; my design in this communication being linn
ted to little more than bare statement of PROPOSE
IONS which may hereafter defend at more length.
My first objection does not apply to the doctrines
Of the party but rather to the principles upon which
it is organized. Since the formation of govern
rnent our institutions have been considered safe in
the hands of the people; and so universal has the
sentiment prevailed that it is axiom, that in
Strmed people their best governors-and
secrecy even in the organization of party certain
ly reflects upon the intelligence of the masses, and
Denies at least in theory their capacity for segov-
eminent
If the doctrines of party are in themselves good
can see no reason why they should be kept secret ;
but many good reasons why they should
be published at large, and discussed fully before the
people; and while do not attribute to the Amerl-
party any desire or intention radically to lnJure
or change the present form of Government, 1t
might be well for to take for example upon the
subject of secret political organizations the French
revolution in Europe, as we'll as the Burr conspira-
many other reasons which might enumerate OPP
passed to the secrecy of the American party.
The next objection | entertain is to the principle
of the party which excludes from Office all persons
whether Americans or Foreigners by birth, who are
of the Roman Catholic faith and this, to me- is an
insuperabe objection. In this enlightened age,
can find nothing tojusify and but little to
cuse such intolerance and prescription. 1t seems
to me like step backwards i'll American principles.
One of the greatest achievements of war of In
dependence, that of religious freedom, and the
PRONUNCIATION and establishment of the mighty truth,
that all IN en- have natural and unaienable right
to worship Almighty God according to the dictates
of their own consciences. This right is plainly
guaranteed to every citizen in the Constitution OF
the United States; yet the American party propo-
to abridge it so far one sect of Christians is
concerned not by amending the constitution, but
by banding together to exclude them the civil rights
privileges, and mmunities, granted by that instru
ment, thus making their law higher law than
the constitution, degrading Sect and establishing
castles in this country of equality.
/ a protestant, but it is my humble opinion
that the Protestant faith will not be spread by that
mode of propogandism. Happily, in this country,
truth is left free to combat error; and with free
afraid of the inroads of RomaniSrn. In all times,
since the advent of Christianity its doctrines have ad
vanced most whenever and wherever the conscience
has been left free the other hand, it is deplora
bly, true that religious intolerance has ever been
fruitful of iufidety, discomfort, and misrule. For
these reasons, with many others which might adj
vance, am decidedly opposed to the religious pro-
scrpton contained in the Sth article of the American,
or Know Nothing platform, having not the remotest
fear that in this enlightened age-ths golden age of
education, and physical, mental and scientific ad-
vancement, any foreign influence, either of Church
State, even retard our progress in civil
and religious liberty.
And, while on the subject of prescription, will
here add that while l opposed to the influx of
foreign paupers and teons into our country, and to
the appointment OF foreigners to Office before they
become acquainted with institutions and
laws, yet not in favor of the entire exclusion
of from office merely on account of their birth;
and can good reason why men who have
been sufficiently long in country to understand
its government and to appreciate fully its institu
TONS and who have also, by their exemplary
duct, secured the esteem of our people, should be
entirely excluded from Office merely on account OF
foreign birth.
am also opposed to the doctrine contained in the
American platform, which gives to the Supreme
Court of the United States exclusive power to de-
eide upon all disputed points which may arise under
the constitution for while am fully willing that
the Federal Court of the United States may decide
upon all matters enumerated in the End section of
the third article of the Constitution Of the United
eign people of the power to act in matters strictly
political this doctrine of State Rights is in my
opinion, the only safeguard to the peculiar in
stitutions of the South.
will finally add that, determined to have
my mind free in its judgment of public measures
and my will unlettered, to the choice of men to
carry out the same, have previously to the publ
cation of this card, sent an application to the Coun
Gil Of the American party to which belonged, for
a card of withdrawal, and am no longer member
thereof.
l have written this letter that my motives may not
hereafter be impugned. l cannot tell what
party will be successful in the coming election and
although 1 may, under msapprehension, have
itrayed, for snort time from my political faith,
willing to take, in future, my guide, the time
honoured principles of the Democratic party, with
which have so long, and so cordially acted. am,
however, an aspirant for political office; and,
therefore, any further apology would be useless.
Respectfully, Yours, &C.,
A. w. BURTON.
July 30 1866.
THE DIFFICULTY BETWEEN PRENTICE AND CLAY
James B. Clay, Esq, has sent message to Prentice