The true Democrat., 1855-09-18
NO. 49.

For the want of great man to lead them on principle, they seized the thunder of the know nothings, They couldn't make an open fight, upon fair field and win the day. They sought to decelve and defraud the people under the cry, that Americans must rule America
 intense Amerlcan feeling" "otfice should seek the man, and not man the otfice," "the Holy Bible the source of christianity" and si- mllar catchwords to cover up and conceal their "wild hunt after office" In the north, they pandered to abotionism and free -soilism, and succeeded. John Wilson became know mo- thing because he had been whig and hated democracy, and thoug he saw in know noth- ingiSm the panacea that was to cure all the old whig sores, and place whis men in power. He would have turned anything else, under similar circumstances and for a similar purpose. But he didn't calculate upon the adamantine strength of the democracy of the southern States. They were neither to be bullied nor bought.
 As whig, John Wilson was entitled to re- spect, because he belonged to a constitutional party. As know nothing he was entitled to nothing but what he received at the hands of President Pierce, because his party is in the teeth of the constitution of the United States and of every State of the Union, except New Hampshire--that State upon which the present know nothingS under their then name of whigs, lavshed the most intense abuse in 1852, because she excluded Catholics from office John Vile son, then, was turned out of office by President Pierce, not because he exercised the freedom of choice of parties, but because he was se- cretly and clandestiney plotting the overthrow of the constitution.
 John narrows down the principles of the know nothing party to two-"civil and religious liberty, and the permanency of the Union, on the constitutional basis' Now it is because his party is directly opposed to these two prin- ciples that the democracy oppose 1t. What is civil liberty? It is the liberty or the right of each and every citizen to enjoy all of the i'm munities and privileges of any other citizen. Does John Wilson's know nothing party award this right? The only way to test this right is to consider John in the majority-[what he never will be) Then take the present Chief Justice of the United States Roger B. Fancy, who was appointed by General Jackson, and who is Catholic. Mir. Fancy wants to be a know nothing. John won't let him in because he is a Catholic Or take Charles Carroll, of Carrolton, who pledged life fortune and sacred honor, for the independence of the colonies. Judge Fancy holds office for life, consequent ly he has nothing to do with the wild hunt after ofice.'' But him of Carrolton, who is now a private citizen, and who endorses the principles of the party whose life is wild hunt after otfice.'' There is no chance for him either without he can get into this party He is examined and found acceptable until he is asked, "are you as ProteStantN' He answers, I"No! 1 am a Catholic" Then he is told he can't come in. Well, they won't let him in, and their oath compels them to vote against him however well qualified he may be, and however disqualified his opponent may be- | I ;hort1, ,,,oopc oor1o1i+1r in tbic caDco is not their equal, he cannot hold office, what be- comes of his liberty? Where is his religious liberty, when he is degraded and disqualified from holding office, because he worShips God according to the dictates of his cOnSCiencc?- The constitution says there shall be no reli- giOuS test The know n0things says there shall. In his so called "civi and religious li- -berty,' he violates the constitution, in letter and in spirit, and tramples it under his feet.
 John Wilson's other principle of the 'Uno under the constitution' is lasiied by this ex- tract from the oath of the Union, or third de- gree of know nothingism--" that you do here- by solemnly declare your devotion to the union of these States; that in the discharge of your duties as American citizens, you will uphold, maintain and defend it; that you will discou- rage and discounteuauce any and every attempt coming from any and every quarter, which you believe to be designed or calculated to destroy or subvert it. or to weaken its bonds. You also promise and swear, that this and all other obligations which you have previously taken in this order, shall eUer be kept sacred and inviolate.'
 If this does not look like standing by the Union under all circumstances, and at all ha- zards, constitution or no constitution, 1 cannot understand plain English: and its force will be more clearly understood when it Is remember ed that previous oath binds the know nothing < in all political matters, so far as this order is concerned to comply with the will of the ma iority, though it may conflict with his personal preference" and various other passages of their oathS, showing that the sole interpreters of the obligations and duties of members are the off, cers and majority of the order. And this they swear, "binding themselves in the penalty of eXcommunication from the order, the forfeiture of all intercourse with its members, and being denounced in all the societies of the same, as a wilful traitor to God and their country."- The Union is very good thing; but the Union without my constitutional rights, l will have none of
 If have not shown that John Wilson has misstated the principles of his order, (of course, knowngy,) as we'll as made his letter the yc- hice of other islanders and calumnes will &C., knowledge that his letter and his principles are not living lie upon the constitution of the United States, and our republican institutions.
 A DEMOCRAT.