Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-11-14
COMMUNICATIONS.

tern part of Chatham, between Col. A. j. Stednan
and Robert e. Rives, ESQ.,; some remarks with re-
ference to which may not be amiss AS write
1 shall introduce just such remarks
choose and shall aim to be both fair and accurate.
The discussion was opened by the first named
gentleman in speech of about an hour and half
in favor Of Know Nothingism ! need hardly in
troduce him either to you or your readers. He is
not unknown to fame. You know very well that
he the shirt of Nessus. The fatal garment
in common parance styled Know Nothingsm-
has in his case proved its tenacious nature-worn
at first as kind of night shirt, it has become
his daily vesture, and it is the opinion of personal
friend that it will ultimately prove itself his oIiti
cal shroad But this is nothing more than he wish
es. In proof quote sentiment he uttered on the
Sd of November. Listen! "When this party falls
desire to be buried under the column erected over
its ruins" doubt not that in political sense, he
will be accommodated full soon for young
as he.
.sWhy here to-day ?" was the first question solv-
ed by the young and Jealous speaker. In conse
quence of a challenge extended him by Mr.. Rives
He read the letter which contained the challenge, and
then followed the sterotyped and threadbare declara
ton, " as good q DemoceatGs eoer." He essayed to
prove this, and in doing passed sentence of con-
demnation upon both Wing and Democratic parties
They were dcad-1ead-DEAD." In proof of the
demise of the latter (he didn't trouble himself any
more about the former) he referred to the present
positions of Jerry Clemens, of Alabama, Gone, Ct
Georgia, Foote, of California, Houston, of Texas,
Bartlett and Andrew jackson (namcsake of his, you
See,) DOnelSOn, OF tennessee, and North CarOilnaS
jewels, Shepard, of Wake Reid, of Duplin, &c. l
add what he omitted-Stedman, of Chatham. In
his reply Mr.. Rves rebutted by pointing to the
cent cections-the 10000 majority of Virginia, the
10000 of Maine, the 10000 of Alabama, the T.
600 of North Carolina, and all the many thousands
that count as majotties for the dead parties from
nearly the whole South, and by naming of his
jewels Cass, Buchanan, Dickinson, A. II. Stephens,
Wise, Pierce, Dixon, Kerr &c, &c. In sustaining his
position, Gas good Democrat ever, Mr. s. took
ground against the U. S. Bank-against DStribu-
tion-against the Tariff of '42-for that of'46-and
for the Sub-Freasrry-end most heartily all
the Democratic administrations down to the pres
ent one. He could not go that though I think he
voted for it.
Next question, "What gave rise to the Know
Nothing party?" The bidding for foreign votes
Both parties did it. No evidence did he offer in
proof No Nuncio named. Rivcs asked to
deny the charge if he could. His reply was about
this: IF there any evidence against Mr.. Pierce
he did not know it, and he supposed there was
given it. Nor did he the veteran, Scott, of
so ptfu n charge but since it had been named he
would simply refer to his fondness for /" the rich
Irish brogrlc " and the sweet German accent. -
Mr. Stedman traced at length the rise and progress
of his party. How, from necessity, it met in SOL
emn conclaves in the deep stiffness of the night,
and adopted measures to astound the unsuspecting.
How they sworc. Why they swore. How they
"koeao nothing about" the wonderous deeds that
Sam was working by their direction. Hence the
name, said he. He considered the author of the
move as having struck upon the "sublimcst con-
ception that has entered the mind of mortal"
He told how, at length, it had been brought to light
how it changed very lately from oath-bound
order to "party"-how the supreme heads of the
order gave men 'absoIutions' from hard oaths-read
the a6solving platform and asked. any thing there
to object to ?" lie had taken an "humble part " in
its construction-plcdge himself never to vote for
any man who refused to give his sanction to the K
N. party-not for beloved father even-and yet
good portion of his speech consisted of anathcmas
r1ct rNorfy OrEJ(~I
To him the one gall, the other NORWOOD. Yet
he quoted Patrick Henry: "Snk SWIM live or
die survive or perish give my heart and hand to
told how glorious we're the objects of the party-to
put down all office-scckers-to crush out bidding
for oice-to get others in, that the wheels of gov
eminent might not stop" to declare eternal and
against Catholics and foreign
ers TO put Americans into ofice-know Nothing
of course and to keep all other Amcri-
cans out of course, also-Know Nothing Amcri-
cans to rule America Asked Mr. Rives fhc didn't
say amen to "Americans to rule America - An
swer, Yes,sr. Again: Are yOu Protestant or
CHtholic ?" Mr.. Rives' answer: You know I be-
long to the Methodist Church. Mr.. Rives dwelt
which, in my opinion, he did more than once, and
with fine eject
Read carefully the following historic parallel
run by the speaker, all of you who claim that gowr
American blood sentiments and feelings have ''grown
with your growth and strengthened with your
strength" since the day you opened your mothers
womb and first drew your American nature from
the paps that gave you suck" 1t will repay peru
SAL and runs about thus:
Fellow Citizens: The battle-ground to-day at
Bear Creek presents a striking resemblance to the
boody field of Brandywine. There on side
beat the patriotic hearts of Americans fighting for
liberty, led on by Gen. Washington, who
Know Nothing; on the other a foreign foe stood
ready to strike death blow to country hopes
So to-day gentlemen! But it unlike the con-
test to-day in another respect-blood flowed there
in behalf of the American cause, but only words
will flow to-day in its behalf
Let me add another resemblance. In both con-
tests the American forces after brave resistance
were compelled to yield Blood did flow freely at
Brandywine. But, Colonel, you forgot that then
and there that detesable foreigner Lafayette,
mingled his blood to swell the tide that flowed
that field in defence of American liberty. You for
got that foreigner there serving major-gen
mediate eye of that distinguished Know Nothing,
George Washington? But, seriously, how rdicu-
ous parallel you run. Just think where you
placed all who heard you at Glass's who do not fall
into your political faith. And you believe stronger
things than this of anti Know Nothings. You will
not be surprised to hear that it is we'll remembered
that you hold yourself responsible for believing
and expressing the opinion that if foreign foe
were to march to Peterborough and there. butcher
up the Inhabitants, that the who oppose you in
politics, if not aiding and abetting them would be
found inventing excuses for them and justyng their
course" Do you still believe it? l can't account
for your extravagances unless suppose, you felt
q slight degree of desperation for your cause.
Mr.. Rives used this part of Mr. s S speech with
telling effect upon his listeners. He could point on