Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-27

speech Of Ex-GovsFnor william smith.
Governor Smith addressed the people OF
Fairfax county, on Monday last, at the Court
house, as we learn from the Fairfax County
News Of the esd instant We make the fol-
lowing extracts from the speech, as represented
by the Nesos, for the perusal Of our readers
The extracts refer especially to the Bull oil
Excommunication" issued against Governor
Smith, by the Richmond Hierarchy, and to
the doctrines Of the American party. In refer
ence to the doctrines Of our party, we are happy
TO find that Governor Smith has taken manly,
independent, and honorable stand, such as be-
comes an American, yirginian, and Jeffer.
sonian Democrat.
After some general remarks, in yindication
of his political course, the News says
"GovenorS 8. then alluded to the singular circum-
stances by which he was surrounded at this time,
and said he would deal fairly and frankly in the
remarks he would submit to his hearers In reference
thereto. Notwithstanding he had battled with all
the zeal and ability he possessed, for the long pc
Rod Of thirtysix years In behalf Of the Democratic
party and its principles he had
stood forth firm and unwaveriug as its champion
and defender at time when many faltered and
went astray--yet he, an old-liner, wheeihorse OF
the Democratic party, must needs have his party
fealty doubted. Why was this course pursued to-
wards hims Because he asked to be allowed to
might determine. He desired to be silent on the
subject of the State canvass; he had never sought
to influence q single vote against the candidates OF
the Stanton Convention; he was anxious TO re-
main quiet, yet this privilege was denied him; but
he had only spoken out at last in reply TO assaults,
and to vindcate himself from charges sought to be
made against him.
"The speaker here adyerted to an article which
| appeared In recent issue of the Richmond En-
quirer, wherein II is charged that he Governor
Smith) was faithful to his party just SO long as
anything was to be made in the service Of party.
He denounced the article as infamous In spirit, and
false in fact; that it was prompted by ignorance
and malignity, that it was basely and mahciously
false in every particular. We have rarely, fever,
heard language more expressive of scorn and con-
tempt than that which fell from the lips of the
Hon gentleman whenever he alluded to the editor
of the Enquirer. He spoke of him as a boy, with
out discretion or Hexperience; said he was wear
ing pin-a-fore in his mothers chamber, learning
ill-temper and bad manners at a time when he
(Goy. 81 was battling for the success of Demo
cratic principles, without asking or expecting any
reward other than the proud consciousness that
he had faithfully performed his duty. And yet he
Church, by person who scarcely knew his poti-
cal alphabet, but who dared to crack his whip over
the heads Of old liners as though he was, in TRUTH
tho master of the Democracy. Before leaving the
subject he advised his hearers to read the very
able and beautiful reply of the editor of the Vir
ginia Sentinel, to the sanderous article to which
he had referred.
Governor s. next remarked that there was an
other ground for the opposition to him from certain
arfa Tt h;o. . bod lad af
him that he should denounce the Know othings |;
that he should aid in crushing out the American
party. He said it was not his habit to denounce
large masses of his countrymen. In the most ex-
citing political contests he had never been guilty
Of such course and II because of his refusal
to join In the crusade against this new organization
that opposition sought to be raised against him.
He had said he would not denounce the Know
Nothings-he repeated 1t now, and, said he EN-
phaticaly, T ,DiH NOT do it, He had before him
the Basis Principles of the American party of
Virginia, and he purposed examining them can
didly on this occasion. He then read the 9th and
18th principles of the American PLATFORM and con-
tended that the sentiments they avowed were the
sentiments Of Jefferson and Madison, and why, he
asked should he repudiatc the sentiments of those
pure and distinguished Democrats, because the
w-Nothings had seen proper to endorse them.
!" In the further examination Of the Platform,
he stated that, as regards the I'd resolution, the
principle enuncated therein was identical in spirit
with the main features Of the naturalization laws Of
the country. He continued his examination at
some length, and in the main, as we understood
him. endorsed them without reservation or equivo-
cation. Such were the principles of the American
party Of Virginia, for the faithful carrying out of
which they had given their bond ! but If they
played false then, he would after them He
earnestly argued the necessity Of more complete
and harmonious union and understanding among
all parties in the South as being most likely to in
sure their common protection.
:" He next adverted to the enormous immigra-
ton Of the present day, and read from statistics
furnished by Mr.. Marcy, the present Secretary Of
State, showing that since 1850 over one million
seven hundred thousand foreigners have landed at
the various ports in this country. He disclaimed
any desire or intention to interfere with any rights
or privileges guaranteed by the constitution TO for
eigners who are now amongst us, but he did think
that the welfare and safety Of the South impera-
lively demanded that this immense immigration
should be checked. 1t was political question Of
great Importance to the South. The North has
already representative majority in Congress Of
ffty-four over the South, and the alarming in
crease Of the foreign population was yearly add
ing to this disproportion. He enlarged upon this
subject but our limits win not allow us to even
allude TO the positions he assumed or the argu-
ments he adduced."