The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1855-08-18
A Word IN Reply.


which he says have been preferred against the
I" American Party" or know nothing organi-
zation. He is sorcly annoyed at the hard
names, by which know nottingham is spoken
of oil over the country by democrats, and es-
pecially does he take to heart the terms used
in the democratic resolutions of this parish
L. should remember before making such COM
plant, thatthe democrats have used no worse
language, when speaking Of the order or its prin-
ciples, than have been used by distinguished
wings oil over the country, and by know moth
ings themselves who have become disguised and
have withdrawn their connection from the party.
A whole council in the state Of Connecticut,
numbering 81 persons came out at one time,
and published an address to the people Of that
state, in which they speak in the severest terms
of the order. Great numbers from Maine to
Texas, have done the same thing, and oil agree
in what they say respecting its unconsttuton-
ality, its conspiracy against the rights of our
naturalized and Catholic citizens, and the des-
potic manner in which the proceedings of the
order, is conducted in taking away the right
of Independent private judgment in political
matters. L. thinks that because many good
men are in the order, it should shield it from
such charges This fact should convince every
one that there is no danger to the country, or
to its institutions from know nothingism. We
do not deny that many good and patriotic men
I have Joined, some from mistaken views, of the
spirit and principles Of our government, and
some from interested ones. It does not follow
that know nothingism is right, because good
men belong to it, Love of power and place,
has seduccd many worthy man from the path
Of duty in by-gonc days, and we presume hui
man nature. is still the same now. Man is still
liable to: err, from judgment, as well as from self
interest. 1t is natural that our late wing breth-
rem should side with any party, that promised
to overthrow the democratic party. Asa gen.
eral rule they would as naturally glide into
know nothingism, as water would be, to seek
its own level. The reason is obvious. Oppo-
sition to the democratic party has ever char
acterzed the wing party, and its members nat
urally fall in, and fl up the ranks of any 9th
er party, that may be started with any fair
hope Of success But not so, generally, with
democrats who have joined They do so, eli
ther from mistaken notions Of duty, or because
they expect their interests to be promoted in
some way by it. Some have joined from the
novelty and mystery of the thing,-curiosity
has led them into it, many no doubt believed
that it was great reform party, that would
do great good by having no one, but the pure
and upright to hold Office, and in many other
ways, prevent and lop of the evils, which xc.
list in society, and are found sometimes in high
places in the government. 1t is time all such
should begin to see their mistake. L. was
once democrat and charges some hard things
upon the party now, which il true, he should
have left it for then, and not to have waited
for new party that promised to be very pop
ular to spring up before he could do SO. His
motives may be questioned now, which could moi
have been done, under different circumstances
L. no doubt, remembers the fact, that most O
those, who have heretofore left the democratic
party, boldly asserted that it was because thu
democratic party that had changed. Tha
they themselves stood, where they always stood
This may be the case with our friend l.. Mer
change often, but principles are externally the
same. The history Of the democratic party i,
not hid under bushel, but a lighted candle
set on hill; it is written and sewn broad cas-
through the land, so that all may seeit. Their
is no installing what its principles are. The.
were clearly embodied in Mr.. Jefferson's frs
inaugural address, and every year since, the.
have undergone thorough investigation
through the public prints. Every national ant
state democratic convention, embodies them il
their platforms, and if our friend L. will tax
the trouble to examine into the matter, he vii
find, that among the cardinal doctrines Away
maintained by the democratic party, was tn
!, right Of foreigners to come to this country AM
, become citizens and the right of every one t.
: worship God, according to the dictates of hi
,I1,,, L. h. III