Washington telegraph., 1855-06-20
NoN, and Then.

Inc democratic party; or more particular
ly the southern portion of it, have always
expressed great veneration for. and affirmed
faithful adherence 10. the principles en-
braced in the Virginia resolutions Of 179S,
regarding them as pre-eminently orthodox
and as expressing purely democratic doctrine
1t is reasonable to suppose that those vino
regard these famous resolutions asa second
constitution of the United States, would not
hesitate to recognize the legislature that
adopted them, as faithful exponent of De-
mocratic principles and that they would at
least resPec. if they did not altogether sane
ton whatever was done by that body
But this is not the case. as we fud large
number Of those who profess profound ad-
miEa;ion of the resolutions Of '9S. denounc-
ing in o.hers,-as proscriptive. anti-republi-
can and anti-democratic,-the same views
embraced in resolution adopted by the
Virginia Legislature. at the same session,
declaring the unqualified opposition of that
body to the Introduction OF foreign influence
into the councils of the nation
1t appears from the record of the pro-
oeedings Of ihat memorable session, that the
Democrats of tla: day, held and expressed
views with regard to foreign interference in
cur national affairs. similar to those which
they denounce the -Nothipgs for advo-
eating at this time. Indeed, the following
preamble and resolution, Which we copy
from the Petersburg (Fa) InfelIigenccr,
OF a recent date. shows that the originators
Of the orthodox resolutions of '9S. were al
50 the fathers of this most important feature
Of the Know Nothing Platform
The resolutions OF '98, so called. were
adopted on the 2lst of December of that
year, and the preamble ard resolution an
nexed-which declares emphatically. that
no foreigner who shall net have acquir-
cd rights under the constitution and laws
at the time Of making this amendment, -
should be eligible to the various offices
specified.-was passed on the sixteenth Of
January follOwing.-just twenty-five days
thereafter -
Preamble and resolution PASSED by fhe
Legislature Of Virginia, on Ike 18Th
Of January. 1888.
From Hcnning's Statutes at Large,
Cok 2, (nelc sericS,) y. 194.1
That the General Assembly neverthe-
less concnrring in opinion with the I.egis-
ia;ure of Massachusetts,, that every constitu-
tional barrier should be opposed to the in
PRODUCTION of foreign influence into our ma
tional councils:
Resolved. that the constitution ought to
be so amended. that no foreigner. who shall
not have acquired rights under the constitu-
ton ard laws, at the time Of making this
amendment. shall thereafter be eligible to
the office of Senator or Representative in
the Congress of the United States, nor 10
any Office in the Judiciary or executive de-
partTents.
agreed to by the Senate. January 10Th,
1888"
Is it not here clearly proven, that this
plank of the Know Nothing platform, was
in strict conformity with the expressed views
OF the Virginia Democracy. as carly as
1799,-with this single difference The
Democrats Ct Virginia advocated consti-
tutional amendment to prevent foreigners,
thereafter. from holding any Office. specified in
the proposed amendments, while the Ameri-
can party Of the present day, Go not deny the
eligibility Of foreigners, if they can get
votes enough to elect them. The Democrat
ic party then was not bidding for the for
eign vOie-the American organization is
Offering it no very great inducements now.
10 The committees of conference an