The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-02-15

I 4faA0fuf&<NfNH
ne Seera Order gf Rnov-aotkiags
WASHINGTON, d. G., Feb 8, 1865
DEAR SIR Ny answer your letter OF the cath Decern-
Der has been deferred in the expectation that proper oc-
eason might arise in the House OF Representatives for
pressing my opinions the subjects to which YOU directed
my attention But the pressing nature Of much of the
current business Of Congress and the limited time within
Whch y must be acted upon, have inclined the House
discourage the discussion of political topics
medatey connected with the subject under consideration
this form. fg77 4
You ask to give my views upon the subject OF for
egn immigration generally and especially you ask my
views respecting the party with which this subject is
blended IN The public mind, and whose extraordinary
course of action and Jess extraordinary progress have
awakened an unusual degree of interest throughout the
country and much alarm in quarters.
The interest which this party has awakened is be
ascribed 10 the evils real imagined which flow froua
foreign Immigration, but the fact that it is secre. p-
hic byotherhood, whose purposes names aud numbers
are hidden rom the public eye and TO the further fact
where they have the power exhibition of public virtue
or private worth no services however merorous and no
abilities, however commanding, sufficient exempt
man rom secret prescription If he fails refuses unite
Wih them or 70 sanction their proceedings Ii the prog
ress OF this party is such IT is represented To be- may
well consider the propriety of waiting quiet nnconcern
or under the benumbng influence of fear until such par
shall have supugaed the country have no fears of
this result If any serious opposition is made But that OPP
position must be presented in the form of
but in the form OF deliberate reasoning publicly addressed
to the people
Persons who judge from outward appearances without
rehecung that Such appearances often deceptive and
The present instance designed to be inclined jump
TO the conclusion that the know-nohpgs irresistible
The formation OF new party in this country always pro-
duces striking effects for the time being the fear Of being
unpopular of being IN minority pervades all classes Of
people ltoperaes as well upon those who do seek
ohce as upon those who do So mnch Of all that import
ant to us is ted by the bot-box that that has become
in paramount degree the standard by which everything
is measured
The cardinal principle of government il thai the
majority shall rule; and the practical application of this
principle has given strong cocring to all social and
political affairs to all oar habits of thought and action
This feeling OF deieental Of majorites and of an
tpahy mnorites has been cultivated such degree
and has grown to such rank maturity that ii may be said
without exaggeraon that the desire for popular applause
is as strong in public it in the actor in whom
II glows with all the intensity Of passion.
This is an Inherent tendency and it causes
gard any movement by which they may possibly be left
minority with anxiety which sometimes borders on
phrensy Men in the and yellow leaf of political life
are apt to join in the in the hope of being eu
venated Neglected long bafed by envious exclu
sion hnd their merits at length acknowledged, and Of
course go Of those who remain resort to de-
yous courses and to double dealing; fight boldly
but often recklessly but all, all for time unhnged
disturbed anxious and bewildered.
These the ordinary effects We can easily account
therefore, for the extraordinary symptoms which prevail
all over the country when reflect that in these times
this natural tendency has been aided by peculiar crcum
stances Ageneral upheaving of all the political elements
in section Of the Union has infused distrus of the
stability OF existing party organizations and feeling Of
insecurity and uncertainty amongst politicians.
The advent of party at such time with novel
features excite the curiosity of the careless and unre
ecting and the veil of secrecy to the tind from
exposure-taking hold upon strong social and religious
antpathiess numbers left to be magned by fear or by
well calculated to produce tempora
ry INDIGESTION and confusion There are some men who
think there is no life if it be not public life In times like
these they see Trojan horse in every proposition aud
their fears magnify paper of pins into the spears of
Macedonian phalanxF
have determined to oppose the know-nothings. No
personal risk can deter from this The effect Of
their upon the open and manly simplicity of the
republican character and the integrity of tho constitution
has decided me to resist them. do not approve the
Of action which they have adopted aud satisfied
with my principles and the principles ofmy party This is
There is good deal said by know-nothng organs and
sympahzes Of the corrupons of the two old parties and
of abuses in the conduct of public affairs have been
able to perceive the the other The wings may
ess the soft impeachment if they choose but for the demo-
cratic party enter general and unqualified denial I'm
der democratic guidance the thirteen colonies have expand
ed into great empire of republican States The wings
have been unteered and the national treasury
filled to overfowing without oppression to the people
Every branch OF industry and enterprise and all the great
interests Of the country have been stimulated degree
of prosperity unparalleled in the history of nations All
this has been accomplished by legitimate means and
in the enjoyment of the fruits of these achieve
mens under constitution nnmpaired and which temp
aon of advantage has induced the democratic party
to infringe. And il that party paHses for moment
in its career 1t is because it would that there
riumphs for patriotism to achieve. have made up
my mind to adhere to this timehonored partyto cling
to the old ship as long as there single plank above the
water,
1t seems to me that if man is capable of serving his
country at all, be il member OF the demo-
cratic party and that neither bis capacity his ineg
ry Is likely to be improved by entering know-nohng
lodge The democratic party has not presumptuousy
sumed the title OF American party and yet it has fairly
won that title by an unwaveng devotion TO American in
eress through good and evil report in and in peace
through long period OF years. aH.
II was the American party in 1872 when there were
Americans amongst us who gave aid and comfort to a
Garlsr tho Marty Hurtps
with Mexico, when natyeborn American expressed the
hope that Mexico would receive the American volunteers
with "boody hands and hosptabe graves
do not credit the exaggerated accounts OF the numbers
and resources Of the know-nohings Captain Maryatt
speaking of the military strength of this country said that
twenty thousand British regulars could march from
end Of the Union to The other without much serious resist
ance but he added most important hntand il that
be doubted whether single of the twenty thousand
would get back His idea that being without
standing army the country taken by surprise with no
time to concert plans of resistance the twenty thousand
regulars nightly rapid movements traverse the whole
length OF the Union but in attempting to return they
would find the aspect of things materially changed The
whole land would literally briste with hayonets The
knownothings like the British regulars in the midst OF
confusion and unconcern may march through the country
but the return trip will test the quality OF their mette
The repocare gradan win be San uphill business
Mere numbers the of the strength Of par
tyeertany not of its stability something re-
qured IL must be organized right principles it must
hate basis TO rest upon and substantial and rational OBJ
jecs in view In these respects the know nothngs de-
is generally supposed The recent elections only show in
their general results that where other parties nearly
balanced the party has succeedc@ turning the scale
There is significant feature in these elections, how
ever, which OF the South ought overlook Ef
forts have been made by persons Of opposite principles 10