Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-10-03

DEMocnArIo AurnoRIry.-For the benefit OF
our Democratic friends we make a few extracts
from the speeches and writings of those who
are claimed as the most proninent members
of their party, to show. what estimate
they put upon the great principles embodied
in the American Creed. And first we quote
from JAMES BUCHANAN, admitted to be the a
blest living statesman in the Democratic party
aye ought to use erery honest exertiom turn
ouf of DO a those .cedG and lccked pieu tcho hare
o5aneo sci th~ poLstseai path marked for this
country By Washington, and whose wild and Wis
ionary theories have been at length tested by exge
OUGHT TO DRIVE FROM OUR SHORES FOR
EIGN INFLUENCE, AND CHERISH EXCLU-
sIvELY, AMERICAN FEELINGS. FOREIGN
CURSE OF REPUBLICS"
Such was the opinion Of James Buchanan,
and the very papers that laud him to the skies
as the embodiment Of pure Democracy, de-
nounce us as sssecret conspirators,' and .'ene
mics to our country for avowing precisely
the same sentiments.
In the Convention of 1887 and 3S to reform
the Constitution, GEO. w. WOODWARD, well
known to the people of this County, most
able Democratic Judge, now occupying seat
| on the Supreme Bench, offered amendment
| to a resolution which had been INTRODUCED,
(vol. v. page 444 Debates of Reform Conven
| tion) as follows
MIR Woodward moved to amend the amend
ment by adding thereto the words: land that the
said Committee be also instructed to inquire into
the proprety of so amending the Constitution as
| to PREVENT ANY FOREIGNER, who may
rive in this State after the fourth of July, iS4l,
FROM AcQuRING THE RIGHT TO VOTE, OR TO HOLD
| OFFICE IL rHE CoMMoNwEALTH"
| In support and defence of the above amend
ment, Judge Woodward said ;--.Sir, appreciate
! as much any man living the many political
rights and privileges which l. in common with the
people of the United States, am now enjoying and
| il is my honest impression that we do but squand
er those privileges in comforting them upon every
| individual who chooses to come and claim them
| He knew that great portion of those who came
among from foreign countries, consist frequent
/ ly of THE WORST PART OF THE POPULATION of those
countries; that they unacquainted with the val
ue these privileges: and that therefore. they do
! not know how TO use them l think that in thus
comforting them indiscriminately upon ail, WE ARE
DOING INJURY TO OUR LIBERTIES AND INSTITUTIONS
and believe III at If the time has not yet come III
will speedily come, when it will be indispensably y
necessary either for this body, some other body
of this State, of the United States. to inquire
whether it is not ight to put plan into exc
cution, by which FOREIGNERS SHOULD BE PREVENT
| ED FROM CONTROLLING OUR L. ECTIoNS. AND BROW
| BEATING OUR AMERICAN CITIZENS AT THE Polls !.
| These were the teachings and sentiments of
Geo. W. Woodward SO early as 1888, and GER
tainly if danger was to be apprehended then, is
| it not still more to be feared now w hat
| Democrat desires better authority?
| Ina very ably written letter, the Hon. JER-
EMIAH CLEMENS, late Democratic U. S. Sena-
tor from Alabama fully endorses the princ-
plies of the American Party. Alluding to the
crime, destitution, and disease which flows in
.,
| World, he says
But it is IN CAPACITY As VOTERS THE
/ CURSE EXTENDS ITSELF TO u.s.. When thousands
| upon thousands are carried to the polls and made
to vote in favor of any any party for shi
| ling. C0RRUPTING HE BALLOT BOX, and
RENDERING LIBERTY INSECURE tha We suf-
for-then the law of self-preservation gives RIGHT
| and makes it DUTY TO IsTERPosE with such
dangers thickening around u.s. the memorable or
/ der of Gen Washington should be upon every
mans lips sPUT NONE But AMERICANS ON
GUARD TO NIGHTn' In time of peace your
| public officers your sentinels Put none on
| guard whose bosoms do not swell with exuiting
pride at the mention of Bunker Hill, of Monm outh.
| of Saratoga. of Yorktown. Put none on guard
/ whose national traditions not confirmed to our
| own commonwealth Put none on guard who can
dwell by the hour upon the eloquence OF Daniel
| 0'Connel. but have never heard the name OF Pat
| rick Henry. Put none guard who turn with cold
indifference from the story of Niagara or New Or
leans, to boast of Marengo or Lepsic or Waterloo.
They DO NOT LOVE YOUR LAND you do-they will
not watch over it with the same absorbing interest
But We have not only Senator Clemens en-
dorsing the principles of the American Party.
Even the Hon. SoLoN BoRLAND, long Demo
cratic Senator, and recently Minister Plenipo-
Tertiary under President Pierce, has come out
in favor of the American cause! Having re-
Gently become editor of the Little Rock Ca
zette, the oldest Democratic paper in the State,
he has made declaration of principles, from
which extract the following:
In view of the foregoing Objectionable things
which we lind in the present creed of the SOCIAL
led Democratic PARTY as now organized and which
have been interoped among its original doctrines,
we can no longer consent to be member OF 1t, and
do not hesitate to say .ft
But besides these grounds OF positive Objection
to 1t, party, there other objections. OF 8
negative character, which even in the absence Of
positive Ones would in opinion, leave it nc
longer necessary, indeed, absolutely worthless for
the attainment of any good ends of public ma
ture. We hold it to 'e thus eGete. for the reason
that while its principles, as the foundation of al
good government, are unquestionably sound, and
will remain valuable all the practical issues
of legislation. of Executive administration
which, since its origin. have been in cont oversy
between it and the only other party. its great
tagonist. the old Whig party, have been settled
and disposed of and are no longer before the coun
} try. As useful political organization. therefore
it has answered all the good purposes it was capa
BILE of-its proper n-ission is ended; and like al
other things which have fully performed Their
functions and lived out their day, it will be con
tinued only to cumber the ground, be perver
ted to mischievous ends. And that it is thus very
rapidly falling prey to such perversion we have
already sufficiently indicated our belief .
Where, then, are IRE 70 go? This inquiry is an
swered by the American Party. which we find
though almost full grown like Minerva when sh,
leaped into life from the brain of Jove, yet young
fresh from the people, vigorous, and untainted
| with corruption; and better than the rest, with
political creed, leaving of view all the old il