Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1855-03-15
wAsnrsaroN, d. c., Feb. 6. 1875

4
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Feb 6, 1855.
DEAN SIR My answer to your letter of
she 9th December, has been deferred, in the
expectation that proper occasion might arise
IN the House of Representatives for express
ing my opinions on the subjects to which you
directed nay attention. But the pressing ma
ture of much of the current business of Con-
gress, and the limited time within which it
must be acted upon, have inclined the House
to discourage the discussion of mere political
topics, not Immediately connected with the
subject under considerations have, there
fore concluded to give you my opinions in
this form
You ask me to give my views upon the sub
ject of foreign immigration generally. aud es-
pecially you ask my views respecting the new
party with which this subject is blended in
the public mind, and whose extraordinary
course of action, and no less extraordinary
progress, have awakened an unusual degree
of interest throughout the country, and much
alarm in some quarters.
The interest which this party has awakened,
is not to be ascribed to. the evils, real or
imagined which flow from foreign immigration,
but to the fact that it is secret political bro
aherheol, whose purposes, names and num-
Aers are hidden from the public eye, and to
rthe further fact that where they have the
power, no exhibition of public virtue or pri-
waite worth no services, however meritorious.
and no abilities. however commanding, are
sufficient to exempt man from secret pro-
scription, if he fails or refuses to unite with
theaa, ,-or to sanction their proceedings IF the
progress of this party is such as it is represen-
ted to be, we may well consider the propriety
of waiting in quiet unconcern, or under the
benumbing influence of fear until such party
Il. I.y faI tho I ba,ra
no fears of this result if any serious opposi-
ton is made. But that opposition must be
presented, not in the form of denunciation,
but in the form of deliberate reasoning pub
licly addressed to the people.
Persons who judge from outward appear
.anees, without rejecting that such appearan-
.ces are often deceptive, and in the present in
stance designed to be so, are inclined to jump
to the conclusion that the Know Nothings are
irresistible. The formation of new party, in
this country, always produces striking effects
for the time being the fear of being unpop-
,llar, of being in a minority, pervades all
classes of people. 1t operates as well upon
those who do not seek office as upon those who
do So much of all that is important to US Is
tested by the ballot-box, that that bas become,
in paramount degree, the standard by which
every thing is measured.
Inc cdtuiuaf Ffiuc;pltS VI our government
is that the majority shall rule; and the .prac-
teal application of this principle has given
strong coloring to all our social and political
affairs, to all our habits of thought and action.
This feeling of deferential awe of maiorities,
and of antipathy to minorities, has been cult
waited to such degree, andshas grown to such
rank maturity, that it may be said without
exaggcration, thatthe desire for popular ap-
piause Is as strong in our public men as it is
in the actor. in whom it glows with all the in
tensity of passioa
This is an Inherent tendency, and it causes
men to regard any movement by which thew
may possibly be left in a minority with an
anxiety which sometimes borders ON phrenzv
Men in the sere and yellow leaf of political
life are apt to join in the movement in the hope
of being rejuvenated Neglected men, long
baffled by epyious exclusion, find their merits
at length acknowledged. and, of course, go
over. OF those who remain, some resort to
devious courses, and to double dealing some
fight boldly, but often recklessly; but all, all
are for . time unhinged, disturbed, anxious
and bewildeEed.
These are the ordinary effects We can
easily account, therefore, for the extraordinary
symptoms which prevail all over the country,
Nnen we reflect that in these times this natu-
su Senoeney has been aided by peculiar cir
cumstanees. a general upheaving of all the
political elements in one section of The Trn;o,,
has infused distrust of the stability Of exist,
lng party organizations, and feeling of inse-
curly and uncertainty amongst politicians
The advent of new party at such time
with novel features 10 excite the curiosity Of
the careless and unrefecting, and the veil Of
secrecy to screen the timid from exposure
taking hold upon strong social and religious
antipathies--the numbers left to be magnifed
by fear or by Misrepresentation, is well calcu-
lated to produce temporary indecision and con-
fusion. There are soGe men who think there
Is no life, if it be not public life. In times
nke these they see Trojan horse in every
proposition, and their fears magnify a sfpaper
= sa p'ns INTO the spears of Macedonian pha-
y; nave determined to oppose the Know No
;ns .h;s So no personal risk can deter me from
'l's 'Vu'se' The effect Of their success upon