Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-06-08
ANOTHER DISTINGUISHED SOUTHERN
WIG on KNOW-NOTHINQlSM.
Iorf.yuIE JrsE |. 1853.

10 The Editors Of tie Daily Louisville I'mcs:
Gen,lemen:-Many friends, irrespective Of party,
knowing my views 10 be- opposed In the organization
and policy Of the know-S uthinSs, have warmly urged
me to become u candidate for reduction to Congress
from this district. | have stated that | would consider
ths proposition and give them an Gnawer b. the lst
Of Sane. After reflection upoa the subject, | do not
think ! AM The appropriate person 10 nuke the call
vu<s. and therefore decline he invitation.
Inc old Wing party by which WIS Clcotel is dis
banded. \ new organization, WHICH proposes To in
troduce questions Of religious belief us crltorions for
office, and 10 repeal the naturalization laws under
which we have lived from the beginning of our go.
vernmcnt, with the single exception of the federal
in,erreynum under Adams, when they were extended
to fourteen yea:E, has arrnycd itocll in the field of
polirlcs. IN addition, vs. tr4 that the new party
maintains an umiuous sicGcf il! IL! luton 10 tne rights
of the Southern States, which should ill every patri-
utic heart with fear. | have ever been and yet am
intr1ibly opposed 10 such principles.
The regularly nominated Democratic ticket is the
only cppJ"cnt in the field against thus new pnrty. 1t
is clear tbnt it Gam,ut nallleva surcess, unless, MS in
Virginia, By tho mid of honest end isar,eSg Southern
Wings, who will not be absorbed in secret irntornl-
ties, and who desire no ambiguous alliance with North
cTn Know-NOthinSs. Their aid has given the first
check to this new party aud annihilated its prestige
Of victory. But. with these facts before us, IT cannot
be concealed, that the main bGdy Of the opponents nt
the Know-Soihinss ID composed OF Democrats. 1t IS
natural they should desire their candidate not only TO
be the representative Of their sentiments upon these
topics, IL opposition TO the K~uow-Nothings, but also
to coincide with them upon the general policy of the
Democratic party and to yield aclpiescence upon the
issues of the past. / do Iot mean to suy that this
would be required Us the terms OF support, but | have
hrnrd it suggested as requisite to concentrate the
full energy Of opposition. Indeed, it has been intimated
that an acquiescence in the policy Of the Democratic
administration llight be necessary To give force aud
conference to Tie moynmelt. Standing in the attl-
ludc ! occupy, ! could only consent to make the race
as an independent candidate, free from all pledges
whatever.
For these reasons I am convinced that, in order to
achieve success and combine the party, it is better for
the Democracy to select n candidate from their own
ranks, and entrust to him the advocacy oftheir cause.
For my Own part, my beliefs decided that the Know
Nothing movement is as transient as its growth nus
been sudden. As between the Democracy and Itsell
| my CHOICE is quickly made, but | feel that | best con-
suit my own dignity, md relieve myself from al sus-
picions of unworthy motives, if. at the anne tiine'
that | frankly avow my determination to support the
principles of the party, ] decline it's honors. All thnt
| ask, ia the privilege to sustain, by my vote, inc
| wise, grcat, aud nobly liberal principles upon which
know the Republic is founded, and by the faithful OBJ
servurce of which ! ON profoundly conscious the So
cial repnse and political prosperity Of the nation can
alone be secured.
Permit me to return my heartfelt thanks to those
friends, both Wings and Democrats, who have Sc
generally offered to give me their warm support.
remain, with respect,
w. PRESTON.