The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1855-07-18
IFor the South Western

letter OF the non. "A. II. stephens, WHICH uea
its appearance recently, and has been trumpet
ed through the land, caused much Joy AM
: rejoicing in the old line ranks. 1t is appa
rently considered as death blow to the new
party 1t is a resort for the friends OF the Tor
eigner and advocates Of foreigners ruling TIL
United States. Behind it they hide, fatterin9
themselves that the necessity for original argu
ment is no more; that Mr.. Stephens has capped
the climax that he has substantiated all oppo
sition to know nothingsm, and has in tote
flung them all to flinders Mistaken souls
why dream We so? Awake to the true light
and consider your condition.
Mr.. Stephens affords you no shelter, no pro-
lection whatever. His argumentia is decided
ly favorable to the opposite party. He refers
to the north of course: to those peryersions of
true Americanisms, true republicanism - to
those hot-headed fanatics-and warns against
them; but admits that these are not effects nor
the result of know nothingism. He says that
it did not originate with that class of people
He says that the organisation was not formed
| for those purposes. He says that the uncon-
sttutional antagonism to the institutions of the
south is not of-she new party; but it is an old
and long cherished sentiment of the northern
people. If then those northern repulsive no.
tons existed prior to this new organisation, they
must have existed in the oldparties, democratic
and whig: consequently may [ not consistent
ly ask, why not dissolve partnership with those
associations? But all this 'hubbub about the
in its national platform emphaticaly declares
that congress has no power, no right to NEEDLE
with slavery. But let us consider this point.
o1f A. ~.
party of the south either is, or is not, the same
as at the north. And here is a positive fact: |
the southern know nothings are not anti-slave
ry, if they were they would have revoutionis-
ed the south long ere this. Have they at the
south ever in caucus, in body corporate, or as
individuals, advocated any other than southern
sentiments on that question? And here is
another indisputable item. The excitement in
[avor of the American movement, is one that
axes we'll and spreads rapidly and efectually.
From these premises we may reason thus: if it
aids any political movement, will it
lot also etfectually assist the pro-slavery posi-
ION at the south? If the northern people by
are concentrated in their action, will it not
concentrate southern men? 1t then behooves
he men OF the south, as dernier resort, to raj
y to this acknowledged strong standard, and
ppose with our united strength those of the
orth, every member Of which sent to oneress i
our enemy. But fthe southrons still Cling z
, the old split lines, entirely behind the times
lille the north joined heart and hand wage {
OF war, they will soon see to their sorrow /
'eir enemies, joined in a body, triumphantly +
AIRY the day. g
Ma Stephens admits and declares the exist L
nee, to an alarming extent Of the only evils t
hleh the new party purpose removing by law
ere are his own words: "Unfortunateiy for :
lie country, many evils which all good men T.
gret and deplore exist at this time. ''-"These t
late to the appointment of SO many foreign
s, wholly unfit, not only to minor offices at a
ome, but to represent our country, as minis II
rs abroad And TO the great frauds and gross
'uses which at present attend the administra- o
IN Of our naturalization laws 'These are n
u.s. he goes on to inform his reader, "felt by II
e whole country, and they ought to be cor II
cted.' lie proposes to correct them by a b1
ending the naturalization laws; but not by an 1g
slaught on all without regard to individual Pr
crit: To accomplish thfs reformation he tic
'uld be forced to repeal all existing laws, s'
'lch require of all, without respect of per- ST
as stay of five years Under the present III
VS., were the gallant Lafayette to present M
nself, with all his disnterested sympathy for oil
nerlca in her adversely, with all his patriotic pr
e of llberty-were the freedom loving Kos NJ
sko, than whose nobler heart never beat to by
ne-were they to apply for permission to he he
G under the benign influence of the stars and II
lpes, which they assisted to psint-to enjoy IN
protection of our national eagle, who is IN
'ud to acknowledge that he lives by the blood tn
the Pole and the Frenchman, which still is as
to course in his yeins-what could the hon. M
. Stephens say to the request but this: al. ne
ugh we are under the most solemn oblica- slt
is toryour great services. you must serve us an
years longer. Although we have implicit Sc
hdence in your individual merits, in your Inc
e American principles, we cannot permit cla
| to enjoy the most insignificant privilege of cal
citizen, until you have served an Cal
of five long years. Is this not :"
'egardlng talent, or individual merit? Yeti lca
5 not 'proscriptive' enough for Mr. Stephens; wh
yet enough to prevent great frauds and o1e
'ss abstses.' every good man regrets and WI WI
lores the present state of things" says Mr.. WI
but when the new party comes to the res lea
he denounces it as an I'll onaened crusade" 'e1
en- they propose to apply healing balm, oe1
ihSho luSl1i w IitLCL JdCCDlIlS! w men
J attempt to carry out his own desires, he "o
nds them ''enemies to their country!' Can mn
operate in any other way than to 'ln'
scribe all for certain length of time What The
headed Legislation would it be, that would G
W line of distinction, showing partiaity to
ses of Europeans immigrating to this coun- .
Such laws can be regulated only by ex- and
ence. We have found by trial that the Giro
sent term is not long enough, and propose IS n
ry one at least twenty-one years in length; tilt
the objection is raised, otis proscriptive" In ;
Il, on the same principle, is not ,fve years "
'cription? is rot any number of years pro- phr
ption? Then will not Mr.. Stephens mag doe
lmous) y exert his influence to abrogate all spe;
] restrictions whatever. Notice his patri- ter
inconsistency. Nat
d the second place he proposes an amend be
It, by holding to strict accountability the on
lie functionaries that they confer offices not Goa:
foreigners; as though it were errc
to the advantage of public functionares to in o
e such selections as would do honor to the spir
ce. And how can this be done? is the to 7