Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-03-17

pected to waive this issue, and elevate part
into power, without even nqniring their purpose
upon this subject? Just at the time when the North
efn States are uniting in an assault upon the vita
interests of the South ought we to abandon the Wig
liant care OF own affairs in a gratuitous eiior
to purge Northern society OF disease which ma,
atct Them but does not disturb US? We appea
to Southern men, without distinction Of party tt
ponder the consequences before they cooperate will
this organization. The secresy with which its pro
/ ceedings are conducted, afford ample ground FOL
caution and suspicion. 4 party which conceas all
its operations and designs from the public, may con
ccal some of its ultimate purposes from that portion
of its own votares to whom a premature disclosure
might be hazardous. The same principle o political
ethies which jusiies deception upon those outside
the order, might excuse partial e9aeeal#aent from
those within. When you enter shis order, you as
sen to the proprety OF conceanient agency in
partizan contests. How you complain when it is
practced upon yourselves by your own conederates?
Know othiugism does not pretend to disclose to its
Southern adherents its designs upon any OF the
questions concerning which Federal Legislation can
really affect Southern interests Will you persist
in armng this party with all the powers OF the Fed
its purposes upon those questions, simply because
you may happen to agree with its views upon two
subjects of no practical Importance to YOU and con
corning neither OF which any material action be
hrd by the Federal Government? The fact, that it
dscloses to you It's views upon those subjects, while
it carefully conceals them upon more vital topics,
ought, OF ITSELF to awaken your apprehensions.--
While it attempts to delude you with the fiction that
Opposition 10 Foreignism and Catholicism is an issue
which overrides all Others it is actively and rapidly
filing the halls Of Congress with men pledged to
measures Oh fearful import to ycur interests
II the designs OF Know Nottingham were even free
from censurc, it should stil be repealed your in midst
In giving countenancc to secret political organza-
ton, you are introducing an instrument which may
be applied to the most dangerous purposes. Before
you bring the wooden horse within gates be
sure that no armed enemy is concealed in the fatal
structure lfany party in our midst ever assails the
institution of slavery, its first approaches viii be
c.oaked in secrcsy similar to that which now con-
ceals KNOWN othingisn. The Worlds Convention
OF Abolitionsts, at london, recommended the formal
ton ut anti slavery societies i'll the Southern States.
Popular sentiment opposes formidable and insu-
perabe barrier to the public execution Of this plan.
But when the operations of parties have become
cret, how soon may not expect such organza-
ton as the Worlds Convention has advised! We
respectfully and earnestly beg you to consider
whether any good which this organization may be
expected to elect compensate for the least OF the
evils that may fellow in its train.
What have We to expect from the action Of this
party upon those other subjects which the Democrat
c party has been accustomed to regard onpor-
tant in the Administration of the Federal Govern
ment? After the aIduous contests which we have
maintained for so many years-just as the Demo-
cratic policy is fully established and the country Is
gladdening under lis infiuence-sha We blindly ee-
yate into power party which may reyolutlonize the
whole system? However carefully they may con-
ceal their political views, it cannot be denied that
this party is principally composed of the same nate
rials which, combined under q different name, have
been heretofore in opposition to the Democratic par
ty. The same ndiscrninate hostility to naturalized
citizens that distinguishes KNOWN othne ism,
characterized the Federal party in the times OF otn
Adams and Of the Hartford Convention. Democfa-
ey under the land of Jefferson and Of Madison, have
successfully encountered it heretofore, and are not
afraid to meet it again.. The humiliation ot the
Democratic party in the Union is aeading object Of
HE Know Nothing organization. Flushed with its
Northern trumpis, it comes here upon Virginia soil
to encounter party that wears the insignia of its
victories through half century, and that has
known defeat. Whenever disaster has overwhelmed
the Democracy ofthe Union, they have alwayslook
ed to the Party in Virginia to retrieve the fortunes
OF the day. Once more we called to perform
that duty. live arrest the progress OF this new
enemy, aud lift the trailing banner OF our party,
rally the Democracy of the confedcraey for sue
cessu struggle in the Presidential contest of 1856.
II we defeated in Virginia, we disappont the
hopes OF the best friends of the Constitution. We
are looked to with hope or with fear by the whole
cenlederacy Let the Democracy OF Virginia be
equal to The emergency.
JOHN RuTHERFooRD, CHAIRMAN.