Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-06-13
From the Fayetteville Observer
Hon. John Kerr on Know Nothingism.

unjust censure from the adhercnts of that party.
am not so insensble to public opinion as to permit
the attacks which have been made upon my motives
to pass without notice.
You in this as in every other instance in which
have attracted public notice. have treated coure-
ously; and though doubtless many malign sueees-
tons may have been made to you in regard to me-
you have abstained from impeaching my motives or
attacking my course. | have paper however in
the State to aid or defend me- and cabastic Coun-
cs-in SocOrn combination-to promote my inter-
est and secure my election.
Your very useful paper circuiates extensively in
my District, and am induced to believe that YOU
will with pleasure afford me the of its columns
to set forth some OF the reasons by which am gov
erned in pursuing the course have been compelled
by of duty to ado, It.
l am nOw, as eUer, a Wing, deeply convinced of
the conservative tendency and influence of Wing
principles. The more study Them the more thor
oughy am satisfied that the principles of govern
ment which Henry Clay always maintained through
oct his long and glorious career, the true princ
pies of Constitution, and must sooner or later
prevail over all opposition.
The greater portion of my life has been spent in
defending these principles eebly, yet most
earnestly. In times of prosperity to cause
have TeOiced in times of adversely have incurred ;
but have dreamed ofdeserting the sold paths
of political safety, and joining any combination or
party, old, that would not support and carry
out the political faith of great republican Wing
fathers.
No, Sir am so welded to the doctrines of Wash
ington and Clay, determined to defend them to
the last extremity, that come what may to per-
sonaly, will adhere to my position and defend my
colorS though all my former comrades shall flee
fall and "leavc solitary and alone amid the ieers
and taunts OF my opponents"
am aware that the Wing party is now dsband-
ed, but Wing principles and Wing measures are not
on that account less dear to On the contrary,
l cherish them still, and urge their adoption and
support upon others, with the greater zeal and
estness because Of the dangers which threaten
country.
" arp Threatened N wifi NV
the il uence of factions and the triumph of political
combinations which are founded upon dogmas re-
pudiatcd by OF unknown to our fathers.
Abotonism and notification, the offspring of the
different extremes of the Union, now in harmo
NOUS combination at the NOrth; and the conserva-
tive people of the Souti. are invoked, under delu
sivc guise TO join the unholy alliance. We toij
in lang dece ptvc plausible, that matters
what a mans political principles are-whether
he supports Wing measures or Democratic measures
If he will only JON the neo party he shall be sup
ported for Office as the friend OF American princ
pies" Now really, this looks little too much like
putting on the turban and turning Turk for the
sake Of the ptuader." Can this COVE nment he ad-
ministcred except upon princple? and not either
Wing principles or Democratic principles right?
A fusion OF different politics and different politi-
clans in the democratic party, has long been OBJ
lection urged to that party by the Wings. But now
it called upon to join in effort to
out-Herod Herod, and win the bad rcuown Of carry
ing the prnc pie of combination farther than it has
been carried before, in order to obtain Office.
Verify, L can acqulesce in no such movement. That
there are good conservative men in the democratic
pa ", none can doubt. And it is equally true that
in both parties there mere emeservers, who aim
more at personal promotion than at the good of their
country. Now if look to the leaders CT this new
organization shall not fail to perceive, that some
of them such as have often changed their party
relations, and taken position where the chance of
promotion was best. Is it not little strange, my
dear sirs that |, who have in out of Con.
gross, deserted or rcnounccd one single Wing prin-
how D,i Of
my party-should be read out of the communion
now, by certain '1eacty constituted cxpounders of
Wing orthodoxy, while such gentlemen as Mr. j. B.
Shepard, Mr.. VIM. X Lane, and Mr.. David Reid,
are received into II fellowship and made leaders by
men with whom they have no political principles in
unison? Has Mr.. Shepard ever rcnounced his DEM
ocratic creed? Has Mr.. Lane, or has Mr.. Reid?-
Not at all, so far as | am informed. Then how can
they be regarded as better worthy of Wing support
than myself upon the score of principle?
The new organization have often published to the
world Of their principles, that they repudiate
the doctrine of availability in the selection of cand-
dates for Office. How then does it happen, that in
democratic districts they have thus far in State
selected democrats, although wings belong to their
party? If ava Liability is part of their creed then
why not nominate Know Nothing Wings in the
Edgecomhe and Wake Districts?
Pure they profess to be; scornful of the
rupon of the old parties it does nevertheless SEEM
that though on purity they bent they "have a
frugal mind" and resort much araila5ility to
obtain office, as any other party.
But secret political oath bound associations al
ways dangerous to liberty, and never be just-
fed in a free country. The Jacobin clubs (secret
political socetes ruined France at the period of the
first French revolution. Lafayette distinctly charg
ed them with it, and all the world admits the
business of the charge. Yet they called themselves
the only true Ffenchnen and put all to death who
did not agree with them-when they had them in
their power Republican liberty, under the auspices
of Lafayette, dawned upon France, and for brief
umined the political horison with the bright
est hopes. In evil hour secret societies, Qike
those now existing among u.s. established, and
by their dreadful influence liberty was destroyed
and upon its ruins the reign Of Terror arose; which,
while it lasted, filled the corld with CONSERVATION
and France itself with blood and tears and tortures
In imitation of that bad example, the Democratic
administration of Washington, and but for the sub
lime moral courage and resiStess influence of the
father of his country they would have forced into
with England and into all the frantic schemes
of conquest and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of the leaders of the
French Revolution.
Washington has warmed his countrymen against
such societies in his Farewell Address.
Some of the objects aimed at by this new party |
approve. l am now and have been for years. OPP
posed to the influx of foreign paLpers and foreign
criminals into country. | have already made
that manifest by my course in Congress. But will
not consent to any system or policy which would
exclude all foreigners from shores. The good
shall never by be indscriminatey prescribed
aoih the 6ad. When an oppressed exile from land
of despotisin is driven upon Shores if he be
of virtue will receive him with generous hos