The Feliciana Democrat., 1855-11-24
AN APPEAL TO THE KNOW MOTH
INGS SOUTH.

endeayor to recall our Know Nothing breth
rem to calm consideration of the real polit-
ical condition of our present united county,
We invite them to look the facts In the face,
as We shall portray them, and ask themselves
in the first place If they are true, and if true,
what is the course that duty to the south, and
to the union, demands them to adopt. We
shall endeavor to be fair and to treat the sub
iect with all the seriousness its Importance re-
quires.
It is fact not TO be denied that the Ameri-
can or Know Nothing party failed to make a
national platform that both its members north
and south could stand upon The attempt was
made at Philadelphia, but signally failed by
the withdrawal Of the delegations from twelve
states, and issuing manifesto or platform of
their own, in which, opposition to slavery, was
one Of its main ingredients.
It is fact, that since then, conventions Of
the American party have been held in nearly
all the free states, and the Philadelphia plat
form has been repudiatcd by them, 20 far as
regards its article upon slavery is concerned,
and strong, decided ultra abolition grounds
has been substituted in its stead.
1t is fact, that not a solitary instance can
be shown, where meeting, convention, or
public demonstration Of any kind, Of the Ame-
rican party north, have passed resolutions or
taken ground in favor of southern rights upon
this vital question.
1t il fact, that not man, Of any notoriety
at the north, Of the American party, has come
ont on the side Of the south, but on the contra
ry, all stand in opposition to southern views
on the question Of slavery. They all claim the
right in Congress to legislate on that question
in the territories Ito prohibit the slave trade
between the states,-to abolish slavery in the
District Of Columbia --and are opposed to the
admission of any more slave states,--they are
for restoring the Missouri compromise line
and for repeating the fugitive slave law.
It is fact, that the Know Nothing or Am
ercan party, in oil the free states, have fused
with what is now known as the Republican
party, which is headed by Seward, Hale, Chase,
Sumner, and other great leaders Of the aboli-
tion platform in the northern states.
1t is fact, that this new party openly pro-
claims opposition to slavery, both in the terri
tories and the states, aud declare their fixed
determination never to cease their exerton, ull
til ii is exterminated throughout the land.
1t is fact, that this new party is striving,
with unfaltering energy, to unite all the free
states in a great northern or sectional party
with the sole intention of controlling the cleo
tlons and consequently the legislation of con-
grcss upon the subject of slavery, with a fixed
purpose to abolish it throughout the union,
whenever they have the power. 1t is true they
do not claim any power over the subject in the
states, as the constitution now stands, but they
avow their intention to amend the constitution
so as to give them the power. Wilson, the
man elected senator by the know nothings Of
Massachusetts, and declared at the time by
southern know nothings, to be sound, con-
sci'hu'S sbitc IlBibo HIaH, dI oic VI tIlcse he-
publican meetings in New York made the fol-
lowing declaration
Let 1t be understood that within the territories
OF the United States we intend to prohibit forever
the existence of human slavery. Let it he under
stood precisely and exactly what we mean We
mean TO restore freedom to Kansas. We mean that
Kansas shall never come into this Union as a slave
state. No. never. We mean to restore freedom to
Nebraska, clear up to the boundaries of the British
Queen. We mean that Nebroska shall come into
the Union, free state, with free constitution. We
tell Atchson, sringfelow and other border ruIians
that they may violate law, honor, every thing but
Kansas comes into the Union, clothed in the gar
ments of liberty. We mean that Utah, If she comes
into this Union ever, shall come into this Union,
free commonwealth. we mean New Mexico, Mime
sofa, Washington, Oregon. every foot of the terri
rtores of this republic shall be consecrated forey
er to freedom and free institutions for all men, ant
chains and fetters to none Standing here, tonight
gentlemen, proclaim it and let the country under
stand IT, that we opposed to slavery everywhere
and II we had the power would abolish IL forever
Let II be understood that we have not the power tt
abolish it in the slave states of this Union, and WI
do not propose to interfere with the legal rights
the citizens of the slave states But let 1t be under
stood that within the territory of the United States
we have the constitutional power to prohibit slave
ry and we mean to do it atany cost and at any sac
rllce. Let it be understood by the country and tn
world, that we mean that If any portion of this con
tlnent shall ever bp incOrnoratel into this ITnion