The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1855-09-04
pxtapositiop with the American platform Of 'ss,

Questioned The one of Sc emanated from the |
i,nint deliberations Of great national party,
which has the impress Of Jeferson's mind upon
its principles and which has stood the shock Of
party strife for more than half century; and
whose proceedings have always been fearessly
proclaimed, and battled for 80 boldly, as to have
earned, and earned justly, for itself the soubri-
ouet of the untcrri6ed," and let me ask you
were you ever in doubt rs to the meaning Of a
resolution passed BY Democratic Convention,
particularly when acting in national capacity
Did sou ever see mysti6cation about them =
Did they ever yet "prrtermt" the expression OF
an OPT ,i"n upon important political questions
In their resolution Of so, to which You have
alluded, they were rs explicit as language could
make them, ON the slavery question, as well as
every other that came under their consideration.
In your extract from their 9th resolution you
paused where it best suited your purpose, and
iaih.d to do justice to the Party. The closing
paragraph reads thus, Resolved. That the
Democratic party will resist all attempts at re
newing in Congress, or out oft, the agitation of
The slavery question, under whatever shape or
cnlu the attempt may be made" This, in con-
neclion with the foregoing part Of the resolution,
|
50 intended by its trainers.
Let us look now for moment at the party
that was to rise upon its ruins and contrast their
merits. In this pseudo American Party, we
behold an organization Protean in form, first
lurking in secret places and depriving freemen
Of their rights by its solemn aud binding oaths,
and again appearing in Convention as the
American Party, absolving members from their
oaths and adopting platform Of meaningless
gcreralities and absurdities.
What is there good that is intimated at that
may not he found in the Democratic creed and
in the name Of common sense can you discern
in this American Patty, with its p'estiges, any
quality that would promise more honesty and
fidelity than may be found in the Democratic
Party! They have discovered the mote in the
eye Of the Democratic Party, but cannot see
| the beam in their own. 1t WAS conceived in
inquity and nurlured in vice, aud until it "brngs
fortn fruit meet for repentance it deserves to
ne regarded as one Of the most dangerous and
destructive in its tendencies, Of all the political
parties that have ever appeared III our govern
mcnt and, rs the soil is uncongcnial 10 sncll, |
will prrdi for it an ephemeral existence, and
trust that it will only live as monument of it,
own shame anil warning to postrrlty.
Its prescription pulley both Of the Catholic
and Foreigner has Your approval and you indi'
,idualIy require ,f the Catholic That lie shall
"absulve himself Of all allegiance to the Pope
Of Rome temporal or spiritual" Religious
freedom with vengeance Would you ask as
much from Protestant who recognizes the au-
ti,ority Of his Bishop i'll ecclesiastical matters?
The laws Of your country forbid it; and BY
acting thus YOU would not only violate the spirit
of the Constitution, but despo our country Of
one Of its noblest features, "an asylum for the
oppresscd of other nations" Let me implorc
YOU 20 hold sacred and inviolate the instrument
that emLolcs this scn.il ent. and let it be your
aim to preserve it in its pristine unity and beau
ty, and, as christian, might Dot ask YOU where
is that heaven born charity, the peculiar attri
butte Of the christian religion
To the Foreigner you would grant vested
rights bul deprive him If political rights, guar
antcrd by the Constitution, when he becomes a
citizen; and deprived Of his political rights what
position will he occupy! If he is a nuisance
with them what will he be without them2-
In my humble judgment any extension Of the
naturalization laws will but increase the evils
complained Of, and its action would be to exclude
from our shores the Foreigners Of the better
class, who might bring wealth and intelIigenc"
with him; and to invite those Of the lower or
der, who would not aspire to the enjoyment Of
political privileges and live here without love, as
without allegiance to the government.
My ausion to the Reign of Terror" sug-
gested to nv mind rather than the "purer
days of the Republic" by the machinatinns Of
this party seems To have startled YOU. and | trust
by is prrtinence to the subject. 1t was not
intended to be applied to any expression Of yours,
but strictly to the "Orler," and I here say that
had it succeeded bv virtue of its secresy the
Abpiiioni<ts would in short time have availed
themselves of the same instrnmentality to affect
their purposes and our ruin.
As you have requested "pointed and EN-
phatic reply" to the phrase in connection with
your expression, through the ballot box alohe,
the only legitimate instrument Of reform in our
country" we will take glance at the modus
operand of the ballot box in the hands of the
Know Nothing party. These pure patriots,
loving their country above all earthly considera'
tions; and endowed in their own estimation
with spotless virtue far above their fellows,
were to select their own candidates, and each
freeman joining them was solemnly sworn to
vote. not according to his own ch"ice, but by
their dictalion. If the elective franchise in the
hands of a secret, oath bound, political organi'
cation, does not look jacobinica and suggestive
Of the Reign Of Terror" clouds do not p"r.
tend rain.
shall now briefly reply to your remarks, as
well as those of the "Carolina Times" upon the
resolutions touching slavery, in the platform of
'52-55. The slavery resolution Of 1852 is as