The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1855-06-15
From the Fayetteville Observer1@ R ~z
Hon. John Kerr OM hnoyy-NO IN I'm 3 isnl.
May 29TH. 1855.

My DEAR SIR The position now occupy
m regard .c the political organization com
monty called Know. NolhiDgs has subjected me TO
much unjust censure from The adherents OF that
party. am not insensIble TO public opinion
as to permit the attacks which have been made
upon my motives 10 pass without norice.
You, in this as IN every other instance in which
| have attracted public notice, have treated me
courteousy; and, though doubtless many malign
assertions have been made you in regard 10
me- you have abstaned from Impeachi0g my mo-
lives attacking my course. | have NO paper,
however in the State To aid or defend me, and no
cabalistic Council-iRS1co, combina,ion-io pro-
mote my interest and secure my election.
Your very useful paper circuiares extensively
in my District, and ] am induced to believe that
you will with pleasure afford me the of its col
umns 10 set forth some OF the reasons by which |
am governed iH pursuing the course have been
compelled by a sense OF duty to adopt.
am m0r0 as euer, Wing, DEEPLY convinced of
the conservative tendency and influence Of Wing
principles. The more | study lhrm the more
thoroughly am satisfied that the principles OF
government which Henry Clay always maintained,
throughout his long and glorious career, are the
true principles If Constitution, and must soon
er or later prevail over all opposition.
The greater portion of my life has b"cn sPen
in defending these princp les-howover fcebIy, yet
cause have rpjoiced; in times of adversely | have
nlourned but never have dreamed al discerning
the sold paths Of political! safety, and joining any
combination or party, new or old, that would not
support and carry out the political faith OF our
great republican Wig fathers.
M, SIR | am welded to the doctrines Of
Washington and Clay, determine d {" d. Irnd
them TO the last extremity. tina: what
may 10 personally, will adhere 10 my posi-
/ 4. e.
comrades shall fee or fall and "leave solitary
and alone amid the jeers and taunts Of my oppo.
nents."
| aware that the Wing party is dis
banded, but Wing principles and Wing measures
not on that account less dear to pe. On the
contrary, cherish them still, and urge their adop-
ton and support upon others. with greaer zeal
and rarneslness because OF the dangers which
threaten our country
We are threatened in every section with ruin.
by the Influence of factions and the triumph OF
political combinations which are founded upon
dogmas repudated by unknown to our fathers.
Abolition and notification, the offspring of the
TWO extremes of the Union, are uow IN harmoni.
Gus combination at the NDrth and the conserva.
tive people Of the South are invoked, under de-
Iusive guise to join the unhoIy alliance. We are
told, in language deceptive plausible. that
it matters not what mans political principles
are neither he supports Wing measures or Dem
ocratic measures-f he only join III" meac party
he shall be supported for office the friend Of
''American principes' Now. really, This locks
little too much like 'putting on the turban and
turning Turk" for the sake Of the plundcr. Can
this government be administered except-upon prin
cple and are not enher Wing principles ar Dem
ocrac principles right?
fusion OF difffren. politics and different poll
uclans in the democratic party, has long been an
objection urged to that party by the Wings. But
now it seems called upon to Join an effort
to out Herod Herod and win the bad renown OF
carrying the principle OF combination farther than
it has ever been carried before, in order to obtain
office. Verify, | can acquiesce in no such move
ment. That there is good conservative men in
theEd democratic party, none doubt. And it is
equally truc that in both parties there are mere
time servers. who aim more at personal promo
ton than at the good Of the country. Now, if we
look 10 the leaders 81 this organization we
shall not fail to perceive, that some of them
such as have often changed their paey relations.
and taken position where the chance of promotion
is best. Is it not little srrange, my dear sirs
that |, who have never in or OUT Of Congress, de.
serted or renowned one single Wing principle
who have always adhered to the fortunes OF my
Party-shouid be read out of The communion now
by certain neaciv constituted expoundcrs Of Wing
orthodoxy, while such gentlemen as Mr.. J. B.
Shepard, MIR. VIM. X. Lane, and M5 David Reid,
are received into foil fellowship and made leaders
by men with whom they have political prncI-
pies in unison? Has Mr.. Shepard ever renowned
his democratic creed? Has mr. Lane, or has Mr..
Reid? Not at all, so far as | am informed. Then
how can they be regarded better worthy Of
Wing support than myself on the score OF prnci-
pie?
The new organization have often published to
the world as one of their principlrS that they re
pudIate the doctrine Of availability in the selection
Of candidates for Office. How then does it hap
pen, that in democratic districts they have thas
far in our State selected democrats, although " higs
belong to their party? II availability is no pat
of their creed, then why not nominate Know.
Nothing Wings in the Edg, combe and Wake Dis
tricts ?
Pure as they profess TO be scornfuI of the cor
ruptions of the old parties; it does nevertheless
seem that though on purity they are bent they
"have frugal mind" and resort as much to a.
Oatlability 10 obtain office, any other party.
But secret political oath bound associations
"I"uys uuHg rrous 10 HDerty, and can never be
justified in free country The Jacobin clpbs
(Secret political societies) ruined France at the
period OF the first French revolution La(avette
distinctly charged them with it, and all the world
now admits the business of tie charge Yet they
called themselves the only true FfeneLmcn, and
put all to death who did not agree with them
when they had them in their power Republican
liberty, under the auspc"s of LAFAYETTE dawrpd
upon france, and for brief sea son iIlumined the
political horizon with The brighres, hopes. In an
evil hour secret societies like those now existing