Star of the Kanawha Valley. [volume] (Buffalo, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1856, 1855-04-18

address, in the Abolitionism, and pro-
scription, and. -anti-republicanism
which prevade it, and in the pbopu-
lar sentiment which sends Abolition
lists to Congress, and cherishes 6 ar
rison and Phillips as household gods
at home. 49,. - - =.
This is Massachusetts, Know-Noth-
ingisrn. 1t is the adoption by the
people, misdirected by old party
leaders, of the theories of that party ,
and their expression, in the crude
and fanatical manner which we now
behold. Can you conceive of a more
glorious opportunity for Abolition
ism? The popular mind, tainted by
long previous teaching, and the pop
ular feeling perverted during years
of political heresy, have burst forth
into a revolution, which fanaticism
SEXES upon with natural avidity.-
And aIfree and republican people,
clamorous for Americanism, and fed-
mouthed IN their denunciations of
Jesuitism, bind themselves by par
ty ties which nothing but>periurv
can break, subject themselves to OBJ
legations upon which their very live
lihood depend, and are willing to be
confined within the limits of orders,
whose lines are as fixed<as the castles
fof the Hindoos. Is not this a polit-
zeal paradox indeed?t Can a State
be proud Of the political history out
of which such a, monstrosity has
grown2 Is there any temptation in
this, that Massachusetts should be
followed by her sisters in the confed
GRAFTON? 1t is indeed ''strangc that
such heresy should come from Mass
achusetts;;" strange that with her in
telligence and her interests, she
should have pursued the path to such.
conclusions, But it would be pas
sing strange if she. met with re-
Spouse from Virginia. cannot CON
ceiye of that madness which would
lead the people of Virginia at this
hour. to follow s'thelead of Massachu-
setts''-that lead which would dis
sever the States, arrays sectional
interests. against each other, proscri-
bes foreign industry, and destroys
the religious freedom which forms a
great element Of the Constitution.
Virginia would developher resources.
Can she then, shut herd against
the entrance of adopted citizens,
without whom even Massachusetts
could not have attained TO her wealth
and prosperity? Virginia would
maintain her doctrines of State
rights, which she has set forth in the
great crisis which have heretofore
threatened our national fabric. Will
she, then, place her destinies in the
hands of a party, whose whole vital
ityI consists in~the very hottest Abo1-
ition dictation? Virginia would en-,
large her universities. and multiply
her schools, land extend her churches.
Can she do it by adopting system
of religions intolerance. Virginia
would maintain a standard of homes
ty and freedom of political opinion
among her citizens Can she do it
by reducing the standard of truth to
the morals Of a know-Nothing lodge,
and by the voluntary submission Of
her citizens to the discipline of this
proscriptive Order? Virginia, "the
mother Of States and Statesmen"
would stretch forth her arms and, en-
brace confederation bound by nu-
tual regard for the rights and prive-
leges Of each other. Can she do
it If the doctrines of Know Nothing
ismprcvail, and she finds a Gardner
to rule her at home, and federal
Abolitionists to represent her in the
national Councils? ~,
1t cannot be for moment sup
posed that the principles which anna
jority of the people of Massachu-
sets have declared themselves in ia.
yor of, arc consistent with the per-
petuity of this Union, or are such as
the leading minds of the country
would attempt to advoc cate. And
yet the overwhelming success of the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS has already OPP
Grated as o remarkable stimulus to
this extraordinary party elsewhere.
It's on this account that | would
have the political peculiarities of
Massachusetts fully understood by
the people of other States. Here,
more than any where else, have the
Democracy struggled against ire
mendous odds. Their success has.
always been short lived and doubtful.
The party which has maintained its
ground, fighting in a minority for
those doctrines which have generally
controlled the policy ofthe country,
has been fearless in defence of that
policy, and has met with correspond
incorporation. This aspect ofthings
has not changed, Those elements
whichhaye been diyidedin this State,
merely bypersonal difference have
taken advantage Of the protection OF
q secret conclaye, to join in an uni
ted onslaught on the Democracy
This is the legitimate business OF
Know othingism. Mis- the weap-
~, annploned ~ the nnrty out of