The American patriot., 1855-01-10
wow AND THEN

The p0titlcal couutioii Vi oui Pa ' "
is certainly a veryremarkable one. In times past,
there existed two political parties here-that OF
the Whig and the original old Democratic party
The Democratic party, with its principles and poll
cy, handed down to them by those great cham
pions of the cause, Jefferson and jackson, have
'signally triumphed. The Bank, the protective
Tariff. and all the issues that have heretofore been
recognized as the line of demarkation between
those great political bodies have been settled The
terms Wing and Democrat, as applied to the dis
ton of party and politics, are obsolete-they are
obserated among the affairs that have passed. and
now remain only for the pen Of the historian to
speak of in the future. What are the two politi-
cal parties of the. country at this time? We will
call them in the South, American against the
Old Fogies and in the North, American against
the Old Foges, Abolitionists, and all. Thus, it is
clear that ours is the great American party, and
whose principles and policy are the pillars on
which the Union, with her institutions, Constitu-
ton and laws can safely repose. .7n
For many years past, the Democratic party, in
this parish has held within its grasp the reins of
political power and patronage. Whenever rally
with internal disaffection, victory could at such
time be safely anticipated. Hence arises the ten
acty with which political sycophants cling to
the old party. 1t IL not Democracy that they
wish to elevate, neither 10 it the poor deluded and
ignorant foreigner that they 2atter but it is self
place and power are the prompters Of these men,
The policy pursued by that party, or at least
the plan laid down by these same arch-dictators,
in the naming of candidates who should serve
the people in offices Of local trust did not succeed
50 well, The people themselves placed the seal
of condemnation on the assumption and authority
Of party leaders who were striving to dictate to
them who should be their local servants.
Since the establishment Of the new political
order here--the American Union party-many
of the Wings, and probably less proportion of
the original old Democrats, have rallied around
its standard They have fathomed its creed
aims and objects they clearly understand-and
believing that the reforms sought for in our poll
cal system are correct, and in harmony with the
wishes Of every true friend Of his country, the
cry is onward. ..I. s t,a
That portion of our organization which is de-
rived from the ranks of the old Democratic party
have been branded as TRAITORS and common
enemies to the country. The position taken by
the Old Fogy opposition to prove us as such was
ludicrous to men of sense. Why are we traitors !?
Is it because We have been disgusted with the
policy pursued by the leaders of that party in
endeavorng to humble the American pride in
order to gain foreign and fraudulent vote for po
litical aggrandzement? Why are we common
enemiess Is it because we object to being led
contrary to reason, and have became awake to a
sense of danger not only from corrupt foreign
influence, but from the perilous position that our
country and her republican institutions have oc-
cupied, from the infusion of fanatical spirit into
our political system by native traitors both North
and South? Are we not the advocates of the
Constitution and laws, and of civil and religious
liberty? Then why are we common enemies OR
traitors?
In connection with this subject, we wish to
make an allusion, en- PEASANT, to the means that
the Old Fogy opposition adopted to defeat the new
order in the election of Mr. Merrick and also that
of Mr.. Dunn. Both these gentlemen were sus-
pected to be Know Nothings, and consequently
they were compelled to battle against the united
powers Of the Old Fogy force The circulation Of
printed FORMS leaving blank for date, name, etc.,
and requiring the signature of member to sever
his connection with the organization, as was sup.
posed were ndustriously hurried about our streets
Members Of our order were cornered at every
view, with half dozen eager and shuffling poll
cal knaves at either of his elbows. The inexpe
renced were hunted up and watched for, as tt
gress would her prey, that they might be com
PEELED to yield to the murmuring pur of unprin
cipled demagogues and hypocrites. This fact il
too well known to require further comment
However, the untiring efforts made to seduce The
young from the political duties they owed theil
country was Of little or no avail The people pro
claimed noiselessly their wishes at the ballot-box
and our cause was triumphant, because it was just
So well go ahead.
Quite anumber of memorials are being sen
from New York to congress to authorize the Pres
idcnt to propose mediation between the belliger
ent powers in the hope Of bringing to close thu
devasting Eastern War.
B@No important news from the East. Thing
remain about as they have been between the war
like powers for the last month. The allied force
will doubtless suffer much from the cimate-tha