Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1855-10-04
]DoIitital Rea0lnD.
AMERICAN PRINCIPLES,
HIGH'DEMOCRATIC,AUTHORITY
Letter from the HOn. John ]. Clemens, late
U.S. Senator from Alabama,
HuNrsrILLE, July l9Lh, 1856

oil Know Notalngs, nor nave now al nand al
the statistics which are necessary 10 full elu.
eidatiOn Of the subject Very possibly in the
opinions / am about to advance. shall find
myself in antagonism to yourself and some Of
those old friends to whom you allude. AT all
events there is no impropneiy in asking you to
read carefully, not for the purpose of contra
dieting or fOdng fault, nor yet for the purpose
oiimplicitly believing, but to reason, to consd-
er, to reflect. If there is truth in what write
let no previous prejudice dim It's brightness
il there is error let no personal Partially pre-
vent its detection and exposure.
The violence which has heretofore oharac.
terized the discussion on this subject is unbe-
coming at all tines, and particularly SO on a
question involving so much about which men
may reasonably differ know not why men
should think less of any one for differing with
me upon Know Nothngsm, than upon Democ-
rscy He has right TO the maintenance of
his opinions, and if he is honest no just man
will derOunce him.
L
in a Know-Nothing Lodge once-that l do not
know a single sign or password, and could
not to-day obtain admission to any Council in
the State, unless it was through the interven,
ton Of a friend, but l endorse their platform
and propose to defend their principles. They
are the principles Of Washington, and Jeffer-
son, and what is Of even more Importance they
\ are the principles OF the Constitution.
When one Of the seven wise men of Greece
visited the Court of Periander of Corinth, he
was asked what is the most perfect popular
government? He answered that in which
the law has no superior This answer which
contains whole volume OF truth and beauty
in a single line, is the foundation of the Know
Nothing creed. They made it in the begin
ming the basis OF their platform mot designedly
for very probably the answer of the Sage was
not remembered, but reason, reflection and an
earnest patriotism led them to the same result.
Accordingly we find that every member is i'm.
peratively required to acknowledge the law, as
established by the Constitution, to be supreme
Obedience to its mandates is inculcated as the
highest duty, and disobedience is certain to be
followed by expulsion. Thus far am sure
the most violent will agree with me that there
is nothing to condemn-that there is something
to applaud.
The remaining portions of the platform may
be disposed of as satisfactorily, think, if not
as briefly as the frst Americans shall rule
America I'm other words--for mean to deal
in no equivocation--no evasion--to cover up
nothing, dodge nothing deny nothing In 9th.
er words then that native born Americans shall
fill all Offices Of political Importance under the
government. l do not mean mere money off
ces such as President of bank--Ralroad, OF
other Corporation, but every Office which give,
to its holder an influence on the legislation oI
the country: These are the offices from which
we are pledged to exclude foreigners, and this
Is Che position l am prepared to maintain. II
is not denied that we have enough, and more
than enough competent Americans to fill every
Office we have to bestow, but it is urged thai
such distinction is Odious and unjust to oul
Foreign population. How is it unjust? He
has been deprived ofnothing by his emigration
here. In his own land be did not even have
the right Of suffrage. His property was never
for an hour secure. His personal liberty wai
constantly in danger. He could not write Of
speak his sentiments with impunity, He was
ground down with taxes. A press gang nigh
at any moment tear him from the bosom of hi:
family, or an oppressive landlord turn tha
family houseless upon the world. All this il
changed. We have given him the right t.
vote. We have given him peace. We have Civ
sn him independence, and now because we will
not give him the right to make She laws BY
which we are to be governed he forgets in hi
arrogant ingratitude the hundred blessings WI
have showered upon him, and repays the safe.
ty of the altar by malignant aspersions of tht
Ministers to whom he owes his protection, /
isa delusiOn to talk about the rights of For
eigners. Privileges is the proper word. W,
were not bound to extend to them the RIGHT q
suffrage. We were not bound to give ther
protection, liberty, peace, independence. AL
these were voluntary gifts. TWAS philanthro
py is breadest sense. Nor is there one o
the millions who flood the country who woulc
not have exchanged his own land for ours ever
ifthe constitution had denied them the privi
lege OF voting. The other advantages he OBJ
tains would have been sufficient, and NOR