The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1855-08-25
" American vs.. Antl-American."

substitute the know nothing party, for the de-
mocratc party in their article with the above
caption, they could not succeed better, IN des-
cribng their own selves, and the general course
of the selfstyled American party. 1t would
seem, that whenever they attempt to describe
the democratic party, and the conduct OF its
advocates, they take their own party, and their
own course as model They succeed admira-
bly, in portraying the ways and means by which
their own party Or faction is carrying on its
present attempts to wrest the government from
the hands of the people. In attempting to
dsparage and misrepresent the democratic par
ty, they show their own cloven foot. Who
would believe that the editor Of the American
Patriot, would openly confess and publish to
the world, that the party to which they are at
tached, ain a mAr of Intrigue, stratdgem, and
deceit, in pursuit Of spoils, has had too much en-
perience not 10 be successful" With such on ad-
mission against the democratic party, we should
never again hold mp our heads in its support.
We should, blush to advocate such cause
Will not decent respect for the opinions of
others. and for at least semblance, Of virtue
and patriotism, in the party they UPHOLD pre-
vent the editor in future from making any
more confessions for the public eye. They need
Especial committee" to guard them against
their own folly.
Your confession that both the wing and de-
mocratic parties UNANIMOUSLY manGnvercd for
the foreign vote" in former days. may be true
as to the wings, but utterly groundless as to
the democrats.
1t has ever been settled principle with the
democratic party to extend a helping hand to
all foreigners, who seek our shores for home
and protection. They have ever been in favor
of making them citizens as soon as the formal
tiles of our law would admit, and when admit
ted, to guarantee to them, their rights as such.
To Americanize them as soon as it could be
done, and give them an assurance that they
were under the protection of the flag OF their
adopted country, was the policy of the immor-
tai Washington, and his noble compatriots.-
The democratic party seek to perpetuate it,
through all future time. We have seen the
wisdom, enjoyed the advantage, and acknowl-
edge with gratitude, our obligation to carry
out the policy. Shall democrats stand with
their arms folded, and see the rights of their
adopted fellow citizens, attempted to be taken
from them by an association, (holding secret
meetings more we believe, toattain power and
place for the wire workers of the order, than
from any excess of patriotism, or fear that the
liberties Of the people are in danger from the
foreign vote, and not raise their voice against
it. The idea sprepostcrous. The democratic
party look upon the rights Of one class of our
citizens as sacred rs another. If this is ma
neuvcring for the foreign vote, then we plead
guilty to the charge. We look upon it as the
advocacy of great principle, established by
our revolutionary fathers. We honor them
in adhering to their noble example and follow.
ing their precepts.
4 What has Mr.. Benjamin done, that he should
all at once come under the displeasure of the
editors of the American Patriot, and be stig
matized as q "traitor," "a Foreigner by birth
cooperating riM the fanatics aud disunionist'
of the north"
Mr.. Benjamin has had the manincss to pub
lish his sentiments. He differs in toto with
the astute editor Of the American Patriot
!, about know nothingism, and points ont thu
: folly, which most of the wing party have com
mittcd in going into such an organization. III
had the independence to declare that this or
, ganization although calling itself the Amer
lean party, had no claim to the name of part.
at all, that it was mere association for tn
!, purpose Of influencing, not the measures b.
!. which the public good is to be attained, bu
$ the men by whom the Offices are to be filed"
r This is the sin for which he can never be for
h given. The facts to which he refers as evidence
:. overwhelming of the truth of the position 0
things at the north, and the consequent DANCE
0 to the Union, by the ascendency of abolition
power in Congress, so powerfully presented i
> his able letter seems to have whctted their in
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