Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-26
From the Lexington. s. c., Telegraph.
The American Party.

The principal objection urged by some of our
contemporaries 70 this new party TO be based
entirely upon the assumed fact that a portion of
the northern members Of the Know-N othings'
are allied TO aboitionism. An objection equally
absurd as il is futile. Does il follow that because
southern men = shareholders = strongly imbued
with southern principles, are connected with this
new party, that they abolitionsts? Equally so,
them must ii be, with the Wing and Democratic
party. The Democracy of the North have elected
the well known David Wilmot, Preston King, and
Charles Sumner to the House of Representatives,
and John r. Hale to the Senate. But can 1t be al
legged, that the whole Democratic party are of the
same stamp?
The time Is at hand when all old party ties
should be dissolved. The hydra-headed monster
Catholicism is endeayorng to incorporate itself into
our political systems and doctrines which Is at war
with our republican institutions, and the powers
claimed for the Pope dangerous to both the
civil and religious liberty Of America There is
powerful Catholic influence abroad in this country,
and 1t is gradually the increase which must, to
all departments of our government, and to repub-
licanism particularly, Il unchecked, prove detri-
mental and ruinous Against such result, it is
well as the duty of every Protestant Amerir
can to watch and battle.
For this purpose alone was this American party
organized, we believe. The question of slavery is
not subject Of discussion among them, but the
entire overthrow Of Demagoguism and Romanism is
the legitimate object Of the association There may
be, 1t Is true, few rabid aboltionsts among them
who will as with all other party organizations, pro-
pose and adopt antslavery resolutions, yet all har-
monte with other elements, for the purpose OF
Graduating Popery from the land. The tendency
of this association no doubt is to soften the asper-
tiles of former political differences--to create
brotherhood-an approach to unity of sentiment
to oppose foreign influence and power in this coun
try. The honor of the nation requires, that subor
dinate and different party questions should be
made to yield to this grand object, and we believe
the patriotism of our citizens is sufficient for the
emergency. 1t is our duty as men to take high
moral ground on all subjects and to grapple with
the principles of truth and justice, without regard
to questions of mere availability.
The spirit Of our constitution, which requires
that our President be a native-born, should justly
require that all Offices in the peoples gift be con-
ferrcd only on those born upon our soil and fami-
liar with our institutions.
President Madison says, Foreign influence is
truly Grecian horse to the Republic. We can
not be too careful of its entrance among US !" and
Mr. Jefferson says, ~ hope we may find some
in future Of shielding ourselves from foreign
influence, political commercial, or whatever may
be attempted from it. cannot scarcely withhold
from joining in the wish of Slas Dean, that there
,oere an ocea,. of fire 6etpeen this and the old
Worldrn And the immortal Washington says,
Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence
conjure you to believe me, felowctzens, the jeal-
ousy of free people ought to be continually
awake since history, and experience prove that
Foreign Influence is one of the baneful foes of a
Republican Government" Such are the senti-
msnts of these good and great men, who had no
other purpose in view but the welfare of their
country They are truthful and soul-stirring de-
carations. They are worthy of their authors and
deserve to be written indelibly upon the heart of
every true American. They could perceive in the
dim vista of the future, that this same influence
would need guarding against in future years. And
for this avowed purpose were the Know-Noth-
ings" organized.