Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1855-05-16
a patriotic Letter.

We publish below, the eloquent, wise, patriotic
and christian letter of the distinguished statesman
whose name heads this article. Such letter is
worthy of such man. Men like CAss, CLAY,
CALHOUN, WEBSTER, and those still greater names,
JACKSON, JEFFERSON, and the immortal WASH
INGTON, could never sympathize, much less be
associated with so foul thing as Know-Nothing
intolerance and falsehood. The class of men to
world rulers to be found in all history. The
genius, fame and virtue of such men will never be
found tarnished by contact with the leprosy of big
oted fanaticism and religious persecution. The
iniquitous sinks of Know-Nc.L:::a oigotry and OPP
preston are fitting places only for cast-of th-rate
politicians of desperate fortunes and the ignorant
herd of fanatics who are ruled by designing men
through appeals to their animal excitability and
cultivated instinct. Democrats of s4s, and hon
est men of all parties and Of party. listen to the
calm voice of an aged patatriot?
Detroit. March 15, 1856.
DEAR Sin lit is now more than two years
since / have attended public festival, and the
same affecting circumstances which led me to
adopt this course yet operate to render me indis-
posed to changeit. While, therefore, / thank you
and those associated with you, for the invitation
to attend the celebration of st. Patrick Is day on
the IL tn, beg leave to be excused for declining
its acceptance.
But though shall not be with you on that in
teresting occasion. yet can realize and appreciate
the feeling with which you viii assemble to recall
the glores of the land of your birth descent in
this land of your hopes and your homes, and to do
honor to the memory of the Apostle of Christianity,
who first carried the Gospel of Jesus to the Pagan
inhabitants of Ireland. Obeying the injunction of
kl-C L. IL L. ),
though in these latter days we are called upon to
glcry in ignorance and to found our claims to con-
6dence upon knowing nothing Your illustrious
missionary belonged to the great Order of know
sonethings-to that class of it indeed which knows
great deal, aud The deserves the gratitude Of man.
kind for impartips what he knew to others, instead
endeavoring to {. darken council by words with
out knowledge" Honor therefore to one of the
henefactors of the human race, and let us render
it the more freely now, when local and sectarian
preudces are striving to create distinction among
us, unjust they are unconstitutional. But we
have nothing eventually to fear from error or op-
preston, while, as Mr.. Jefferson well said, oppres
sion is left free to combat it. That freedom is at
portion of our heritage and it will triumph over
this delusion as it has triumphed over many one
heretofore, and will triumph over many aone here
after those who have participated in 1t will AVA
ken to the conviction that the worth of an Amer
ican citizen does not depend upon the place of his
birth nor his confidence upon his religious faith,
and upon the mode in which he worships that God.
who Is equally the God of the Catholic and of the
Protestant-who guided and protected our fathers
in the days of their troubles and trials and will
humbly hope, guide and protect us and our chill
dren whenever troubles and trials shall beset our
National path. There is no danger, if we only
appreciate the blessings enjoy in spirit of mu-
tual Cancellation and forbearnce, and with thank
fullness to Him who them, and may take them
away.
/ am dear sir with great regard.
Truly Yours, LEWIS CASS.
Col. w. O'GALLAaHAN, President