The true Democrat., 1855-10-23
Whence it Comes.

Every AmerlCan, who has read the history or his country has heard of those secret societies of federlists during the last war with Great Britain, who in the darkness of night, when unsuspect- ing patriots were locked in the embrace of sleep, hung out blue lights upon the coast of New England, to conduct the British elemy to the sure destruction of our unprotected towns, and the murder Of unsuspectng Americans. Every one familiar with the history of this country has also a distinct recollection of the secret meeting of those same blue light federal ists, held at Hartford, Conn.,, in 1914, and has an instinctive horror for the treason there con- cocted against his country and for the traitors then assembled. Yet but few of us know the distinct platform of principles promulg gated by that reasonable convention of natiUe Americans God save the mark Tor few dream of the close resemblance the creed of those traitors bears to the principles of a secret society in our midst, which, though born on the same nor thern soil, is yet in this community, composed ot many ignorant and unsuspectng men, who know not what they do, and who, if enlighten- ed, would scorn to advocate and uphold the principles of the Hartford convention.
 That all may see and know whence came the know nothing principles of the present day, we publish the following extract from the RESOLUTIONS OF THE HARTFORD CONVENTION.
 Thc convention assembled at Hartford, on the 18th December 1914. On the next day it was
 ResolUed, That tue most inviolajle secrecy saUJe observed by each member of this convention, including the secretary, as to all propositions, debates and proceedings thereof, until this in- junction shall be suspended or altered
 On the 24th of December, 1914, the scom- mttee appointed to prepare and report gene ral project of such measures as may be proper for the convention to adopt, reported among other things
 l. That 1t was expedient to recommend to the legislatures of the States, the adoption of the most etfcctual and decisive measures, to pro- tect the militia of the States, from the uS,lrpa- tons contained in these proceedings The proceedings of congress and the executive in relation to the malitia and to the war
 2. That it was expedient also to prepare statement exhibiting the necessity which the improvidence and inability of the general gov ernment have imposed upon the States of pro- viding for their own defense, and the impro- bability of their discharging this duty, and at the same time fulfilling the requisons of the general government, and also to recommend to the legislature of the several States to make provisions for mutual defense and to make an Y United States with view to some arrange ment whereby the States may be enabled to re- tain portion of the taxes levied by Congress for the purpose of self defense, and for the re- lmburjemnnt of expenses already incurred on account of the United States
 ,. That 1t is eXpedient to recommend to the several State legislatures certain amendments to the constitution, viz
 That the power to declare or make war, by the Congress of the United States, be restrict ed"
 That it is expedient to attempt to make provisions for restraining Congress in the ex- ercisc of unlimited power to make new States and admit them into the Union"
 That an amendment be proposed respect ing slave representation, and slave taxation"
 On the 29th of December, 1914, it was
 Resoloel, That the easy admission of natur- allzed foreigners, to places of trust, honor or profit, operating as an inducement to the mal- content subjects of the old world to come to tn ese States, in quest of executive patronage and to repay 1t by an abject devotion to execu- tive measures.
 "Another amendment subordinate in impor. tance, but still in high degree expedient, re- lateo to the exclusion of foreigners hereafter arriving in the United States from the capacity l
 "That the stock of population already in these States is amply sufficient to render this nation in due time sufficiently great and pow ertul, Is not controvertbe question. Nor will It be seriously pretended, that the national de- fclency Ill wisdom, arts science, arms or virtue need to be replenished from foreign countries Stlll It IS agreed, that a liberal policy should offer the rights of hospitality, and the choice ot settlement, to those who are disposed to visit the country. But why admit to a participa- ton Ill the government aliens who were no parties to the compact'-Who were ignorant of the nature of our institutions, and have no stake m the welfare of the country but what Is re- cent and transltory? It is surely a privilege sufficient, to admit them after due probation to become citizens for all but political purposes. To extend it beyond these limits, is to encour- age foreigners 10 come to these States as candi- dates for preferment. The convention forbear to express their opinion upon the inaus picous effects which have already resulted to the hon. or and peace of this nation from this misplaced and lndlscrlminate liberty.
 ResolUed, That no person who shall hereaf- ter be naturalized, shall be eligible as mcm- be of the Senate or House of Representatives of the United States, nor capable of holding any clvll office under the authority of the Uni ted States"
 Here we have know nottingham with a ven- geance. Neither the native American party of lo44, nor the nameless offspring of 1854, can boast ot much progress since the days of the Hartford convention of 1914. Every odous feature of that modern creed seems to have been embodied in that of the traitors and cow ards, who met at Hartford to plot and conspire against their own native country in time of war. Really native Americans, although pos. sesslng long pedigree, will hardly venture to boast of its disreputabe ancestors Its blood has certainly coursed through very dirty and unctean channels, ever since it's birth in the convention of 1797
 | The hrst resolution enioins the most inviola- ble secrecy on every member of the convcn- tion Secrecy was necessary for a traitor then And now what says the first oath of a know nothing:
 "You of your own free will and accord in the presence of ALMIGHTY GOD and these witnesses your hand resting on the HOLY BIBLE and CROSS, and your left hand raised towards HEAVEN in token cf your sincer1ty- do solemnly promise and swear that you will not naahe hno,cn to any person or persons any of the signs, secrets, mysteries or OBJECTS of this organization" etc.
 The know nothings have borrowed their nrst prlnclple from the traitors of the Hartford convention, let us see if they have not borrow ed their hatred, and prescription of foreign born citizens from the same polluted source. The blue light federalsts of Hartford resolved "t that the capacity of naturalized citizens to hold off, ces of trust, honor or profit ought to be res- trained," the know nothing swears:
 "You furthermore promise and swear that you will not vote or give your influence for any man for any office in the gift of the people, un- less he be an American born citizen in favor of Americans ruling American," etc.
 And the great Philadelphia pronunciamento of the British party (sec. VIID also steals this precious principle from the Hartford conven- tion
 Was "Sam" the presiding genius of that immaculate body of patriots
 Death in the Midst of Life