The true Democrat., 1855-10-30

mocratic meetings in these two counties. Both in Poinsett and Monroe the democrats have formed associations, and commenced the or ganization of the party. This step is all that is necessary to assure the continued asconden- cy of democratic principles in these counties Eternal vigilance is the voice of libcrty''
 
 Democratic Meeting in Saline Co.
 At democratic meeting held in Benton on the 27th inst, according to previous appoint ment Green B. Hughes was chosen president of the day, and John W. Shoppach secretary.
 A most beautiful banner was presented by Miss Sophia Crease, on behalf of the ladies, (which she had wrought with her own fair hands,) to the democrats of Saline, who rece- ved it with much applause and enthusiasm
 After which the meeting was entertained by able and eloquent addresses delivered by Col. E. A. Warren, Gen. S. II. Hempstead and by our esteemed fellow-citzen, John Quindley.
 The Hon. Geo. c. Watkins being then loud- ly called for, the following able, sound and ar- gumentative letter was presented, read, and received with much applause and satisfaction by his numerous democratic friends in Saline THE LETTER.
 LITTLE RoCK ARK, Oct. 23d, '55 | GENTLEMEN-Yours of the 4th inst. invitno me to attend democratic meeting at Benton on the 27th inst, was duly received, and had hoped 1t would be in my power to attend; but l shall be unavoidably called away on busi- ness.
 | am with you in all fair and open opposi- tion to the Know Nothing party; a secret or ganlzatlon, which, to the great detriment, not to say disgrace to the State, controlled the last session of our General Assembly, and is now exciting the aroused attention of the people ol Arkansas Summarly stated, my opinion of the Know Nothing or self-styled American party always has been, and is, that they are cu- deavorng to effect without law, against law, and what cannot be done by means of any con- stitutional lava virtual and substantial dis tranchisement of all naturalized citizens, and prescription of those protesting the Roman Catholic religion.
 It may be conceded as some think, that foreign immi. .ration ought to be checked, Ol tile term of probation extended or that civil rights, without any political franchises, should be ac- corded to them, and that the faith and practice of the Roman church are in many respects ob- jectionable. Yet naturaIizel citizens are such by force of law, which every citizen is bound to obey and respect; and until the individual members of that chdrch commit some overt act of treason or disloyalty to the government or violate any general law of the land, protect ing the divine worship of all denominations, equally and without distinction, there is and can be no constitutional means of depriving Il tl,,f fron {. | lief. It is enough for those who object to the arrogant pretentions, the superst.tions and cer- enonies of the Romish church, the confession- al and the celibacy of its clergy; that their own belief, whether religious or rreligiou. is in no wise cocrcel or uterlercd with. They forget that there may be Protestant as we'll as Catholic Jesutism. Admitting the force of every objection that can be urged against the Romlsh church, persecution will only serve to strengthen It, while fatal example is afford ed for aggression upon any and every other sect or denomination, which may for time be- come obnoxious to popular caprice. One eS- sental element of our form of government is, that 1t establishes no religion, favors none but tolcrAtes all rehglons, protects all; leaving eve " man free to worship or not to worship God. according to the dictates of his own conscience, upon the sole condition of his not interfering with or hiudering the worship of others. Re. ll9l0us discussion and controversy, whether temperate or incorporate, in good or in bad taste, may never cease; but the friends of Pro- testant christianity, who are instrumental in dragging such controversies into the political issues of the day, do not reflect, in their blind zeal, that the cause of true religion must ever be damaged by any association with the govern ment.
 The Know Nothing party has not, in my opinlon sngl rcdceming trait to recommend itself to the American people, Its secrecy is odious. Its oaths and obligations are degrad- ing. It is a stupendous conspiracy, whose power centers in an oligarchy of grand councils, and is but one of those dangerous devices, by means of which, in republics, power is ever stealing from the many to the few Patriotic motives have no merit, when they are misgui- ded, and the enlightened judgment of the American people can never sustain political party whose ends are made to justify its means of attaining them.
 To southern men, this new party ought to be especially repulsive. It is in no sense na- tional party. On the all-engrossing questions growing out of negro slavery it is split wide asunder, more antagonistc than the Methodist Church North and South, and as in that unfor- tunate ecclesiastical separation, the free-soil Know Nothngs have the preponderance But take the southern platform of this Janus faced party; it is certainly no sounder or more ac- ceptable to the South than that of the demo- cratic party, which has yet some legitimate pre- tentions to nationality. Southern Know Noth- ings must be infatuated, who boast of the hos. tility betweon northern Know Nothings and the abolitionists. Admit that hostility, the only effect of it will be ito throw the naturalized vote, their influence and sympathies into the arms of the abolitionsts. The naturalized vo- ters, hitherto democratic in their affinties, have been courted in vain by Seward, but now this suicidal American party would drive them into their ranks. The leaders of the party might be excusable, if it would hold out any hope of safety to the South; but 1t is becoming more and more apparent, that in the ensuing presi- dental contest, upon which may depend the peace and continuance of the American Union. the Know Nothlngs cannot expect to carry solitary southern State, with the possible ex- ception of Kentucky.
 speak of southern Know Nottingham, when l express the firm conviction of my own mind. that before another year, it will be numbered with the things that are past, ard it will have become so unpopular, that the leaders of the party will regret any removal of the veil of secrecy much more seriously, than they will be likely to repent of having advocated its doc trines.
 Respectfully your felow-citizen, GEO. c. WATKINS. Messrs.
 Green B. Hughes,
 Wm. M. Scott,
 John w. Shoppach
 After which the following resolutions were presented and unanimously adopted:
 l. Resolued, That crisis has arrived in the history of the political affairs of ouPgovern- ment when it becomes the duty of every lover of his country, to rally around the standard of liberty, and battle mapfully for the rights and privileges which have been handed down to us by noble and patriotic ancestry.
 | 2 That we have steadfast and abiding con-