The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1855-07-21
The Know Nothing Platform.

liz AIlVW NVsuIn5 IutlVihs
We invite all candid know nothngs to q serious
consideration Of their platoon, rs published by their
state convention, not In spirit of fault finding but
for the purpose Of canddy discussing the princ-
plcs there announced as the creed Of their organza
ton, and with the hope Of determining whether they
are consistent with themselves, and whether the pol
icy they advocate is calculated to promote the hap
pincss and prosperity Of our common country. II
In our consideration of these principles 1t be shown
that they are inconsistent with each other, then
they cannot be true because truth is always conss-
tent. In that event, the know nothing party will
find itself occupying the unfortunate position Of I'D
yocating policy founded upon false doctrines. We
conceive that policy thus based can no more pro-
mote the happiness and prosperity ola country than
the propagation Of fa,sehood advance the cause
Of morality and christianity.
II then we succeed in showing that the principles
in the know nothing platform are inconsistent 1T
follows they are not true, and that II is impossible
policy based thereupon can advance the welfare
of the nation 1t therefore becomes the duty OF ev-
cry honest and patriotic citizen in the organization
either 30 to change the principles of the platform
as to harmonic them, or to Immediately withdraw
from the order With US, thus for, oil candid know
nothings will agree. msI
Now let us turn to the know nothing platform
and consider the consistency of the principles there
announced. In the third section of their platform
they say: .4.t., s...r
awe oppose any interference In the vested rights
Of all persons whether they be of native or foreign
birth" .t
We believe It to be the duty Of every good citizen
TO maintain the vested rights Of all persons; that
those who attempt, directly or indirectly to violate
them are endeavoring to perpctrate wrong; and
that they should be resisted by every patriot We
cheerfully yield our assent and approval to the doc
trinc of their third section. 'mtH I"
Now what are the vested rights of all persons of
native or foreign birth, and especially what are the
vested rights of the naturalized citizen? Under
constitution and laws, and solemn judgment of our
courts he is fully vested with all the rights privlc
gcs, and immunities of native American citizen,
with the single exception Of being President Of the
United States. No law of the land excludes him
from any other Office in the gift of the American
people, but the road to honor and political prefer
mcnt Is thrown open to him as we'll as to the native
born, the only test required of him, being honesty
and capacity. The history of the American rcpub-
lie, as well as that of own state exhibits many
bright examples of naturalizcd citizens, whose ge-
MUS, intelligence and worth have shown not the less
brilliantly in legislative halls, than their patri
otism and heroism on the battle fields of our coun-
try, Here then we see that one Of the vested rights
of the naturazed citizen, is the right to hold Office
which right has been frequently enjoyed by them,
with credit Ia themselves and honor to the govern
ment of their adoption.
But in the sixth section of their platform they
declare as another of their principles that "We be
lieve that America should be governed by Ameri
cans" by which, we understand, they will oppose
the election of any foreign born citizen to any Office
Now we respectfully ask the members of thu
know nothing organization, how they can MAKE
these two avowals harmonic with each other? How
can you maintain the vested rights Of the natural
lied Citizen one of which s the right to hold Office
and at the time, oppose his election or appoint
mcnt to Office, because he is a naturaized citizen
II you maintain his vested rights you must admi
him to oce but this is contrary to the principle il
the sixth section of your platform. If you oppos
his appointment or election to Office, you make wal
upon his vested rights and this is contrary to you
third section. We ask you to avoid the conclusion
Here then in your platform, we have two princi
pies clearly inconsistent with each other They
cannot both be true. You must adopt the one ant
reject the other, or you place yourselves the ad
vocates of falsities and of policy based upon in
consistences, and this cannot promote the wclfar,
| Of our common country.
Il