The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-09-08
WHOLE NUMBER 53l
General Cass ON Know NothinR-
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1S1ns
Sam HoUsroN, in aVowing his spostasy
from the Democratic party by joining the
Know Nothings, said: General CAss has
approved the platform OF the American Or
der, as proclaimed to the world by the Con-
Vention at Philadelphia" HoUsrom has
early learned the evil lessons of his new
friends. The statement is untrue that Gen.
eral CAss "had approved the platform Of the
Order as proclaimed at Philadelphia" He
does hold. as everybody knows, that Con-
gress ought not to legislate on slavery in
the territories, and that is doctrine, we
believe, of the National Convention of the
american party" as falsely self-styled.-
II there be any appreciation in the case, it is
the Order which, in this one particular, has
approved General CAss' idea. But he has
always opposed every other doctrine which
distinguishes Know Nothingism from other
parties. He opposes its nativism and relig-
ious fanaticism; and ifGeneral HoUsroN had
been disposed to treat fellow Senator with
the Propriety and respect for truth which
characterizes General CAss, both as a pri.
vate and public man, he would have made
no alluson to his opinion, calculated to lead
to material misunderstanding in the pabs
lie mind.
General CAss has published letter cor
recting the effects calculated to be produced
by General HoUsToN's peculiar Know Moth
ing manner of appealing to his opinions
We have not room for the whole letter, but
We commend the following extract upon the
position and duty OF the Democratic party,
to the earnest consideration of our readers:
have never known the time when the
Democratic party was called upon by. higher
considerations to adhere, faithfully and zeal
ously to their organization and their princis
pies, than they are at this day. Our confed-
Grafton is passing through the most severe
trial it has yet undergone. Unceasing of.
forts are making to excite hostile and sec
tional feelings, against which we were pro-
pheticaly warned by the Father of his Coun.
try; and if these are successful, the days of
this Constitution are numbered. The con.
tinued assaults upon the South, upon its
character, its constitutional rights, and its
institutions, and the systematic perseverance
and the bitter spirit with which these ara
pursued, while they warn the Democratic
party OF the danger, should also incite it to
united and vigorous action. They warn it.
too, that the time has come when all other
differences which may have divided it should
give way to the duty of defending the Con-
stitution, and when that great party, coeval
with the government, should be united as
one man for the accomplishment oil the work
to which it's now called, and before tis
too late. 1t ID the AMERICAN party, for it
has neither sectional prejudices nor section
al preferences, and its care and its efforts
extend wherever the Constitution of its csun-
try extends, and with equal regard to the
rights and interests of all. l believe the
fate of this great republic is now in its hands,
and, SO believing, | earnestly hope that its
action will be firm, prompt, and united, yield
ing not one hairs breadth of its time hon.
ored principles, and resisting to the last the
dangerous efforts with which we are menace
ed; and, if so, the victory Of the Constitu-
ton, doubt not, will be achieved Ohio
Statesman. am, Sir, respectfully,
Yeur obt. servt.,
.. LEWIS CAss.