The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-07-01


Perkins, ir., and others.
Mr. PREsrpEsr have heretofore voted with that party
portion of which, by uniting With the democracy OF Vir-
gia defeated Fournoy and enabled that gallant State 10
say to the political heresy whose champion he was $50 far
shalt thou CO. and further the party who claims to be
the nhertor and follower of the conservative principles of
the fathers Of the republics who holds with them that it
condition of its existence that public opinion in relation
to men we'll measures should be enlightened by
free press and guided by the intellect aud wisdom of the
country and who must if rne TO ITSELF oppose state of
things under which substitute for that opinion
ready formed from secret irresponsible, and seconsW
ted conclaves insensibc in their organization well as in
their those checks and guarantees without which
free government can exist
My object is unite with you opposition to that dam
gerous Innovation and to to you that the selected
by this convention shall receive my support and that Of
those who think with me. I hazard nothing in saying
that their numbers great and will go on increasing.
At the time of the formation Of the two parties into
which the country has until lately been divided many diff
ferences Of opinion existed between them the powers
of the general government and the proper OF adj
mnisering it. All those differences have been
settled by compromise by legislation, which neither
party desire to change. The only one remaining
open--I the embraced in the river and harbor
bill Of the last session Of Congresses supported by men
of both parties and Is longer IN the politics
1t may be that in the settlement Of those questions the
parties would have proceeded upon different principles ,
hut long the settlement stands those differences are
distractions not to be thought of while dangerous
enemy s batterng down thewalls of the constitutions and
attempting force upon the people the belief
that secrecy and not publicity is the keystone Of po-
litical fabric.
Let il be admitted, sir both parties have committed
faults for which s perhaps but right that they should be
punished Some Of the leaders OF BOTH have often gone
down to the level Of the lowest denagognes and have
Il 49,
button Of executive patronage This induced many high
minded and honorable withdraw from the scene of
action and the parties having in consequence been par
tally dsorganzed the country became for short time
easy prey the organization which stole upon il like
thief in the night atterng the lowest preudices of the
fanaca and the ignorant pretending change its princi
plies according to the place in which they promuga-
ted and giving itself out TO the world the defender of
rights not invaded and the edresscr Of wrongs in
hcted At the beginning, the silent thunders of this
party were directed not ouy against foreigners and their
children but against all persons protesting the Catholic
religion, and have doubt they continue be so to
this day everywhere When il found, however, that
the religious lest Objectionable in portions of the
South il was nominally abandoned that the modfca
ton Of the naturalization laws and the exclusion OF natu
rallied citizens from office would be now the only
national plank in their platforms and familiar
with the proneness Of the northern people give way 10
popular decisions would wonder how large bust
ness could ever have been carried with so small
capital
great national party formed sir for the purpose Of
Guiding few naturaiized citizens from secondary Offices
Is It true them that coming from other lands come
with the settled purpose of governing the country2 III
the truth could be known dare affirm il would be found
that the only two of them all who landed these shores
with that conceit about them Monsieurs Genet aud
Louis kossuth No sir, immigrants have all heard that in
this favored country land cheap and labor dear and that
industry of all kinds with ready occupation and lib
era reward, &c.
Without exception they better their fortunes