The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1855-09-15
Editorial Courtesy.


Of the American Patriot refers us to two arti-
ccs, copied into this paper, the one from the
Baton Rouge Advocate, and the other, from
the New Orleans Courier. Our recollection
Of these articles are, that they spoke Of Judge
Mcrrck's qualifications, and his local fame as a
lawyer. They were inserted to show the cst-
mate placed upon these abroad, and as Ettnr
rcjonder to the fulsome, adulatory cmanations
of the Patriot and other know nothing organs.
If this is personal abuse, VIC 10 not know
what is not. The qualifications of man for
any station, we have always been of the opinn-
ion, were fair matters of Investigation before
the public, and upon which any one had right
toform and express an opinion without being
amcnablc to the charge of personal abuse of
the character of the person so spoken Of. No
thing is more common than to find the quali-
cations of the candidates for President of the
United States, spoken of in the most severe
terms by the different party presses yet their
private character as citizens and gentlemen,
are not to be implicated in the slightest degree
So is the practice generally, with regard TO
every other station, and yet no one has ever
made the discovery, that this was personal
abuse until the editors of the American Pa
triot happened TO find it ont in their last issue
AS TO the principles of the know nothing
order, or American party, we think we have
perfect right to speak and to characterize
them as they deserve. By so doing, however,
wcdo not mean TO attack the private character
of any one who belong. to it, We still have
charity enough in our souls, TO believe that
they who differ from us, do so honestly, believ-
ing that they are doing what is right and best
promoting the true interests OF their country.
We only believe them to he in error, both in
the principles they advocate and in the man.
ner of advocating them. We are confident,
the prescription of our naturalizcd citizens,
and catholics, from holding Office under our
government, is contrary both to the spirit and
letter Of the constitution of the United States.
We look upon il as dangerous TO the peace and
proSI Gritty Of the nation, by arraying one class
Of onr citizcns against another when there re-
ally is no cause whatever existing, which would
Justify it. We condemn the secrecy Of the or
der, when we know the safety and pcrpetuity
Of civil and religions liberty depends upon free,
fair and open discussion, in government like
ours. We condemn the obligations TO which
the members are subjected because it takes
away the liberty Of exercising the elective fran
chise, independently and unbiasscdly as free
man ought to 90, and as they have always
done, until this new secret order bound them
under oath, to comply with the will of the
majority, in all political matters, though it
may conflict with their personal preferences"
We object to the machinery of the order, be-
cause it is government within government
and irresponsible to it. If these opinions sub
.ject us to the charge of admitting personal
abuse into the columns Of the Feciana Demo
crat, then are we guilty; otherwise not
As to the charge Of our being inconsistent
by opposing the know nothings, on account OF
their secret meetings, and not mentioning the
names of the special democratic committee
who edit the Fclciana Democrat, we respect
fully reply, that each member of the commit
tee is individually rcsposiblSbr what he writes
or publishes Their names will be made known
to the editor Of the Patriot or any one else
who may feel aegrieved at such publication
They write nothing they are not willing tc
avow over their proper signatures if necessary
They publish nothing they are afraid or asha
med to own before the world
There is IN essential difference between the
democrats who write for the public and pub
fish all they write to be tested by truth, rca
son, and the facts Of history, and the know
nothings, who hold their meetings in secret
and conceal everything they do from the pub
lie eye although it concerns the whole people
and every body has right to know what il
done touching public affairs The one concea
nothing but their names, and that the public
would not be benefited to know. The other
conceal everything, and act on the Machiavc
liam principle, that the ends justies the mean
by which they are to attain it. Verify, w
say unto you know nothngs, you love dark
ness rather than light, because You know you
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