Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-06-29
SPEECH OF GEN. ZoLLICOFPER.

SPEECH OF GEN. ZoLLICOFFER.
Gen. ZoLLIcoFFER, in his speech delivered here
on the 10th inst, makes this statement in relation
to the political sentiments of our foreign popla-
ton: "The great bulk of this foreign population
has settled in the Northern States 1t now num-
bers ia the Union from four TO Eve millions, and at
the present rate of increase is adding five MEM
bers of Congress annually to the already overshad-
owing political power of the North against the
South brings Nth It strongly pre- conceived anti
slavery feelings, and fuses readily iOih the free soil
element, furnishing sufficient additional population
for new free State every year" The General
evidently intends this q strong argument in the
South in favor of that principle of know nothing
ism which would prescribe foreigners, and hold
them as enemies of the South, who by their votes
swell the opposition in Congress- and add free States
yearly to the Union. This is one of the Generals
arguments which the know nothings say is irwin
chile. We propose to examine it.
That the great bulk of this foreign population
has settled in the Northern States" is true; but
that it there "fuses" with the free soil element we
deny. And further, we believe we can establish
the fact most conclusively that it does not. And
these are the reasons we give:
1t is admitted by those empowered to speak for
them, that the know nothing organization was
commenced in the free States, and that one of its
great cardinal principles is opposition to foreign in
fuence in this country, and a change in the nat
uralization laws. Who are enrolled in the order
in the free States advocating these principles and
what are their sentiments upon the subject of free
soilism? Docs not the know nothing organization
in the North embrace large majority of free soil
ers? Have they not elected in every single in
stance avowed freesoilers to Office and has not
know nothing legislature nulhfied the fugitive
slave law2 And if more proof was wanting-did
not large majority of the know nothing delegates
actually secede and refuse to stand upon the Phil
adelphia platform, because of its pro-slsvery
timents?
Now does it not appear somewhat strange and
little inconsistent, that this native know nothing,
free soil element refuses to "use" with the foreign
free soil element, and that too when the foreign
free soil element will give them free State every
year, Slavery is the great question at the north,
overriding all other questions. Anti slavery is
sentiment more deeply ingrained than any other
all other creeds and opinions are given up by the
fanatic except this. Parties arrsyed in opposition
are warred against with all the ferceness and in
tolerance of blind bigotry.
The foreign influence and the Popes intol-
erance, as questions within themselves to be con-
sdered in their effects upon our government, have
never given the know nothings of the North any
uneasness or alarm, except as that Influence" and
interference" are found srrayed against this free
sol! sentiment-which is the absorbing principle
and if know nothings at the north are found war
ring against foreigners, it is because they will
not fuse with them on this sentiment.
This fusion of the foreigners is an old charge
against them, and the General seems strangely to
forget that it has always been heretofore with the
democrats, and if mistake not, the General, in
past days, has given countenance to that charge
may it not have been true?-and this fact more
than any other has given rise to this know moth
ing organization in the north--to strike down an
ally Of that party which has always stood firm in
its opposition to freesolism. And in truth, we do
contend that it the fusion of this foreign vote
with the democracy of the north that has enabled
them to stand up so long, and show such q bold
'front.' 10 the enemies OF the south. Inc foreigner
there is not fanatic upon the subject of slavery 1t
is your native know nothing that spits upon your
platform.
Does any man of common sense believe that
the ffty-two seceders would 60 home from Phil,-
delphis and arouse their councils to wage war
of political exterminatou against the foreigners, if
they were so ready 'to fuse with them in their
freesoil sentiments" and give them the power to
add free State to their cause every year? Are
Wilson and Gardner so blindf No, there is
something more behind the curtain than this pre-
tended fear of "foreign influence" and "Catholc
interference" in this know nothing movement in
the North. And if this 'resdy fusion that the
General speaks of actually going on between
the native and foreign elements, those who are now
crying so Justify would be as silent as the grave
ConUinoe Henry Wilson and the fifty seceders
from the Philadelphia platform that the foreign
vote will %fuse with the freesoil element" and add
a new State to freesoilism every year, and from
that moment Henry Wilson and the fifty sece derS
cease to be hno,U nothings II.