The weekly Placer herald., 1855-08-04
For the Placer Herald.


For the Placer Herald.
Al HOME, July 3Oth, 1855.
Dear Mitchell: Often has the question aris-
en- in my mind, whence sprung this great bug
bear called American party" who are its
prototypes, and what is really its design?
These are important questions with me. For
one l am opposed to going it blindly or to be
led on in the dark, with no other beacon light
than the flashing of the viii of-the wisp or
Jack o. Lantern. Such headlights are dan
gerous and are sure to shipwreck or lead the
pursuer into ineXtricable swamps and mre.
Disinterestedly have watched it from the
first kindling of the spark hoping good might
originate out of it. Wigwams and Councils
have sprung up like magic over the land, and
apparently swept away everything before
them. until upon the political field of the Old
Dominion they were defeated. In their march
to the south they became very liberal in
professions, but the people believed them not
their principles were more fearful than the
drawn sword Of Attila.
Who knows but the founder of this wide
spread order. (Which the rampant Southerner
so loudly proclams to be the savior of the
UniOn.) is not the same identical big niger,
Fred. Douglass, or some other darkey that
would grace cotton field Suffice it to say
that the organ zation had it's origin or birth,
or at least was early espoused by the rcpudia-
tors Of the fugitive slave law-the advocates
of negro suffrage; who look upon negroes as
household gods. and stick them up at all OF
the watering places. like Jacob of old did the
streaked rods, that the offspring mi ght partake
of the marks In this manner they may carry
on an extensive malgamation.
Oh! ye republicans. why place your candle
under bushel?
What say YOU to the election of Wilson
over the accomplished scholar, orator and
statesman, Everett Trumbull. over the brave
and daring Shields. whose exploits in defence
of the national flag is still fresh in the mem.
ory of the country. and whose blood stained
the battle fields of Mexico; or the foul pro-
motion of Durkee, who is claimed as an old
fashioned abOlitiOnist the election Of that
abolition fire-brand. John P. Hale, of whom a
Southerner once said if he lived in his State
he would be hung for treason.
But Mr.. Editor, we find Gov. Foote has put
himself in the same harness with the rabid
Hale. having on only little more gearing
and cruppers and hrecching about the tail. for
the purpose of holding back; and it matters
not whether he drives single or double. Hale
is in the lead with only harness and tugs,
whereas he (Foote) is behind with all the ex-
ira trappings of provisOs To all this what
say you, followers of Sam or Jonathan"
Is this the way you are going to swear perpe-
tuity to the Union? Is this the way you are
going to cement the bonds Of brotherhood.
silence discord and build up great American
party? slay all the old fogies remodel the
government, re-rig the sh p of State, and with
h h'rculean hand cleanse the Augean stable? Is
this the way you expect to reconcile the north
and south? preaching aholitonism and ele-
vating the devOtees of that ism to office--war-
ring on Catholics and expelling foreigners
denying your fathers suffrage. and comforting
it on the negroes in the North.
But it is time that all true freemen were
thoroughly aroused in regard to their policy
and rise en- mdSse to put it down. Although
Odious in the extreme. though prescription in
it's worst form, still are men, capable of bet
ter sense Of dignity. seen prOwling around in
dark, secret places, looking wild and fearful,
starting at their own shadows, SO fearful Of
being overheard. Now if there is anything
good in it, why all this? Why not out with
it.-enter into free discussion. be open to the
world. to reason-that is the power to appeal
to. The people are always open to cOnvic
ton. Convince them, if you can. of their er-
rors. There is no need for solemn oaths or
obi igations. Awaken them to the danger
which you say surrounds the country. and they
will be ever ready to fly to the breach. For
assure you there is as much patriotism on the
outside Of your councils as there ever was in
them.
Bind not freemen to be craftsmen to the
will and beck of your State councils or Fed
era heads Allow them to go to the polls as
free citizens. unpledged. untrammeled by oaths
or obligations, there to choose worthy men,
whose honesty is known and integrity tried.
Such men will enact wholesome laws and dis
charge their public trusts with fidelity.
am in favor as much as any one of correct
ing the abuses of the present and repairing
those Of the past But how are we to do it?
Can we. after fair and impartial examination
into the prime pies of the new party, find any
thing that will warrant us reform or change
for the better, or shall we Judge the tree by
the fruit? If so, the mandate must 60 forth
that Know Nothngism must be cut down.
for like Tekel thou hast been weighed in the
balance and found wanting!