Eastern times., 1855-05-10

to the verge where abstract virtue becomes
practical vice
1t encourages in the popular mind strif
for vengeance upon the real or supposed de
stroyers of the public tranquility.
1t makes inhammatory appeals to classes t.
be Guenged of the practices OF other classes.
The practice of temperance is not only en-
throned. peerless, and above all the other vif,
tues, but in the alembc of an Intensely ercaea
and positively infan,ed public imagination is
made to exhibit the riolence of master Pdss,o,.
displaying the most marked ercesses by which
the whole subject is degenerated into d'spate
between two extreme portions OF society.
Ignoring the theory of our free institutions.
and the precepts of civil. religious and politi-
cal freedom inculcated in their history and pro-
or css, and in positive violation of the spirit and
letter of our American Constitutions, it seeks
to ebody the spirit of religious Intolerance as the
basis of political action and as rallying point
for new political organizations; and that too
by such methods and the influence of such
men as may well lead to an enquiry whether
these new lights in political science infu-
enced by a desire to advance the gospel OF
peace, or actuated by motives calculated TO
Illustrate its bcnefcent aims
Invoking narrow and illiberal prejudice,
known to exist to a greater or less extent IN
every country, between native born citizens
and those of foreign birth, and thus endeavor-
ing to bring into the arena OF American poll
tics, bisotry and an exclusiveness which
we're so wisely 'banished therefrom in the early
history of parties in this country. as both i'm
polite and unjust it now proposes to inaugu-
rate the same baneful spirit as a new and fresh
impulse; thereby reversing the precepts of the
republican fathers as unsound and heterodox
and without discrimination or reference to cul-
ture, capacity or integrity. to apply the rigor-
GUS rule of absolute exclusion from all participa-
tion in the affairs of government to any and all
not native born ; thus making the accident of
birth. in the scale of political fitness, to rise
above the highest attributes aud noblest quail
ties of the man.
The questions which naturally suggest them
selves, and which seem to be of most practi-
cal moment are. do the people of this State, in
their moments of sober reflection, mean TO ap-
prove of the absurd and dangerous dogmds
arrogantly put forth by this anomalous combi-
nation of discordant political elements, and do
they intend to give their sanction to the spirit
of intolerance, rioience and fanaticism which
characterize its movement and if not. then to
what exten. viii they cooperate 20 heal the
malades which affiict the body polite
Is the spirit of patriotism so utterly extinct
in the hearts of the people that they take no
this glorious confederacy of free and sovereign
States. and reckless of all consequences, are
they prepared to join cabal. the whole tenden-
CIV OF whose doctrines and acts is to array these
States in hostile and never ending strife: and
abandoning the high ground of strict and equal
justice, under the Constitution, alike to all
parts of the Union, to give aid and comfort to
that spirit of fanaticism which spends its viru-
ence in wild and wanton crusade upon the
South
Are the people prepared to adopt and en-
brace the doctrine 20 be enforced in social
civil. and political relations, that inciting and
strengthening the sentiments of vengeance in the
masses, even in their application to noxious
habits and practices, are especially reformatory,
that the spirit of Uiolence is the most saluary
influence to be invoked against delinquent indi-
viduals or masscss
The whole history of our State is record
against intolerance and bigotry, whether in re-
lgion or politics.
Tie maladies and political disorders that af
hict the State and menace its future prosperity
and growth. and which threaten to strike it
down from its true elevation and dignity
among the sisterhood of sovereign States are
most obrious, and the duties of the citizen to
avert the caamities, which unchecked will re-
suit therefrom, equally plain. Awakened
oy sense OF common danger, 10 lts pest inter-
ests. and cf common disgrace from its tarnished
glory, all true men should unite with resolute
and determined energy. as in a common cause,
to restrain the malign influences, under whose
dominion and power the people must inevifa-
bly, gather harvest Of every RARELY and species
of tanaticism, religious Intolerance strife for
gcance betaoeen CLASSES, the spirit of riolence
the spirit of fhe latos, crude and pernscious mar
inns Of constitutional obligations. sentiments of
dislOydlty and ftithleSmess to the Union, a ,car
of aggression By one section Of the country rpon
the other, and
Demoniac phrenry, moping melancholy
And moonstruck madness,
pervading and taking possession of every de-