The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1855-09-08

raj Union, we had hoped that, for q time
at least, she might be spared further agita.
ton and party distraction. To the allepi-
ance OF her citizens we trusted for unifor-
nifty of principles at home, and we felt as.
sured that her sister states of the South
would know where to find her in time of
need. We desired only to keep the ship
of State fast at her mornings. We did
not seek progress, but simply to maintain
steadlastly the position taken by the high
est authority known to our Institutions
South Carolina we had hoped, would, in
quiet dignity, bide her time' for further
action.
1t is now manifest, however, that party
organization has become necessary to resist
a new political combination, known as the
Order of know nothings, but lately assun,-
ing for themselves the name of the "Amer-
icon party "a party which, in the rapid
ity Of its growth and success of its early
movements, having outstripped the numcr-
GUS fanatical developments in the free states
has reached our State and has introduced
into it principles and practices, new, dam
gerOus, and distracting. Notwithstanding
its professions it practically repudiates the
fundamental principles of civil and relig-
ious liberty, rejects the right of free discus
sion, denies the inestimable blessing of free
dom of conscience, sacrifices personal indie
pendencc, threatens the subversion of the
rights OF the states as sovereign members
of this conlcdcracy, and, in its assertion of
the indisputable and rightlul sway of the
majority, annihilates the independence, safe
ty and welfare of the slaveholding states.
1t then becomes, as we conceive, the i'm
perative duty Of all who regard the pre-
servatiop and faithful construction and en-
forcemcnt of the constitution of these Uni
ted states, as high political duty, who are
resolved to maintain the rights of the states
and particularly of the slavcholding states
as incidents OF their sovereignty, and the
political rights and privileges, as well of
the people as OF the states, as set forth in
the Constitution Of the Union, and in that
of the state Of South Carolina, to array
themselves, not in secret, but openly; not
bound together by. oaths, but by the strong
ties which unite those who have enjoyed
the rich blessings of civil freedom and reli-
gious tolerations; not for the advancement
of selfish purposes but for the good of the
communities in which they live, and of the
state to which they belong; not by the or,
der Of the grand council, but in obedience
to their own free and generous impulses
not subject to control except such as the
established laws of their country and thcil
conscientious convictions of duty may sug
gest--in opposition to this combination
now styling itself the American party" in
order that its course may be stayed; tho
manifold evils it has produced, and will
produce be abatcd: its unwhocsome effect
on the moral character of our state be re
moved, and the blighting curse of political
prescription and religious intolerance for
! ever averted.
: We adopted as basis of organization
for such party OPPOSITION the following
/. Resolued, That as citizens of the State
,, Of South Carolina, we recognize the ordi
nance adopted by the people Of the State
assembled in convention in 1852, equal il
authority as declaration Of right with thu
Constitution itself, and we proclaim, as ;
cardinal principle Of the present organiza
ton:
''That South Carolina, in the exercise 0
her sovereign will asan Independent State
acceded to the Federal Union known as til,
United States of Amcrica-and that in til,
exercise Of the same sovereign will, it i
her right, without let, hindrancc, or moles
tation from any power whatsoever, to sc
cede from the said Federal Union; and tina
for the sufficiency of the causes which ma.
impel her to such separation, she is res
ponsible alone, under God, to that tribuna
Of public opinion among the nations Of tn
earth"
We consider the proceedings of said cor
yention as having authoritiycIy defined til
position of South Carolina and her rels
to the Federal Union. And in the opinio
of this meeting, the obligation Of the thir
degree as set forth in the Constitution {
the National council of the United State
\ Of North America, known as the order {
] Know Nothings, is direct dennnciation {
the principles Of this ordinance, and til
o position assumed in these proceedings, an
:, the triumph of the order in this state woul
l. effect political revolution within he
y limits.
r. 2. Resolved, That we protest against I'll
4 r. IL L