The true Democrat., 1855-11-06

American party, adopted by the Know Nothing Grand Council at Philadelphia, in June last, is as perfect piece of deception as was ever put before the people.
 It is called national platform; and yet it is known, that of the thirty States said to be rep esented--Missouri, to her honor be it observed, does not apper to have been there-15 only vo- ted for the most national part of it; and, count ing the vote by States, it was lost according to all parliamentary rules If we take it according to the electoral college, the fifteen States voting for it, have only one hundred and forty-six out of two hundred and ninety-six electoral votes: and leaving one hmndred and fifty electoral votes againsttt! Voted down by States-voted down by the electoral college and yet, by some kind of Know Nothing legerdeman minority Is magnltied into a majority thing lost is adopted, and 1t comes forth with mighty flourish of trumpets as the national platform of the great American party
 Stamped with hypocrisy and falsehood as it Is; It appears to rest on two prominent pillars for support, first the exclusion of foreigners from the right of suffrage and from office, inevitably involving repeal of the naturalization laws; second, the prescription of the Roman Catho- lies. These are the ostensible objects to be accomplished. The real one was and is the overthrow of the democratic party, and l take 1t, that it has been proved by acts, which speak louder than words, that the very best recom- mendation to membership after all in that order would be for man to swear eternal hostility to the democratic party, and to its principles, and to the present administration.
 This platform professes admiration for the wisdom and patriotism that framed the consti- loto to fo11 ions and cherish the virtues and practices of the fathers of the republic, in it's purer days
 Let us test the sincerity of these professions, and sec whether the Know Nothings have not already proved the falsity of every one of them and put themselves in the attitude of protesting one thing, and practicng its opposite.
 And to judge properly we must ascertain, fellow citizens, what were the opinions and practices of the fathers of the republic. And let us first briefly notice a few facts connected with the subject of emigration and naturaliza- tion; and ende eavor to find out if we can, whcth- CT the policy of this republic in its purer days, contains any thing that can warrant the out rages that the Know Nothings appear to be willing to perpetrate against foreigners, who, looking to America for an asylum against op- pression, have become part of our population.
 Hostility to foreigners was no part of the policy of our fathers. They adopted wiser and more patriotic one, and had no fears about foreign influence exercised by those who came to this continent to find home, where industry would be rewarded rights protected, and re- ligious freedom secured. In fact they invited emigration; holding out as reward civil and religious liberty.
 The declaration of Independence, drafted by the immortal Jefferson, and signed alike by patriots of native and foreign birth, made it a grave charge against the British King that he had, endeavored to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the laws for the naturalization of foreigners; re- fusng to pass others for there migration hither." Next the constitution of the United States, vested in Congress the power of establishing an unif'rm rule of naturalization; and excluding foreigners only from the office of president. All other offices were open to them alike with native citizens. Under this constitutional pro- vision, Congress, on the 26th March, l79O. passed an act to naturaize aliens after two years residence. On the 29th January, 1795, another act was passed extending the period of resi- dence to five ears. These acts were approved by the Father of his country, and had the sane ton ot the statesmen of that day, and I appre. bend even in the judgment of Know Nothing ism, must fall within the limit assigned for the purer days Of the republic.
 On the 18th of June, 1798, under the federal administration of the elder Adams, hostility to and prescription of foreigners crept in, and the period of residence was extended to fourteen years. Seven days afterwards, the infamous alien law was enacted, and, in violation of the constitution, vested ill the president the au thonty to order from the country, without trial. ho, l I peace and safety of the United States As if he was monarch instead of president of re- public, they could obtain permission to remain. Permission to remain They who had come to our shores under the encouragement of the law of the land, and made America their home. to be required to obtain the leave of the presi dent to remain Infamous outrage on the hos pitalty and the constitution of the nation. In less than month afterwards the equally in- famous sedition law was placed on the statute book, aimed at, and intended to crush the liberty of the press, by denouncing fine and inn prlsonment against any one, who should dare to exercise thatinvaluable privilege offreemen-- to discuss, censure and arraign the acts of government
 Here, tellow-citizens you may find the pro- totype of the Know Nottingham of this day the same fell spirit, casting its dark shadow over the land-the same hostility to foreigners and disposition to trample on their rights: with this difference only, that then it was proposed to be done openly and by force of law. whereas now, It IS to be achieved by secret oath bound political ganlzatlons-working in the dark and by the abuse of the balot-box.
 But let every democrat be cheered-let every republican be cheered by the reflection that ths spirit was met and crushed by our fathers. Tn the "purer days of the republic" States spoke Tn thunder tones against that unconstitu- ton egslaton-denounced 1t as subversiye of liberty and tending to dissolution of the Union. The celebrated Virginia and Kentucky resolu- tions, the first drafted by Madison, the second by the immortal Jefferson, appealed from these outrages, to the people-to the republican snirit in the land, and nobly and truly did the people answer that appeal. Mark the result. The administration of Mir. Adams was overthrown- and MT. Jefferson came into power, and brought the government back to the republican track In his very first message to Congress, in Dec. 1901, lie said l cannot omit recommendino a revisal of the laws on the subject of naturali. zation. Considering the ordinary chances of human life, denial of citizenship under a resi- dence of fourteen years is a denial to a great portion of those who ask it. and controls a policy pursued from the first settlement by many of these States, and still believed to be of consequence to their prosperity And shall we refuse to the unhappy fugitives from dis tress that hospitality which the savages of the wilderness extended to our fathers arriying in this land? Shall oppressed humanity find no asylum on this globe?" Hard but just rebuke to the ungenerous spirit which every where actuates the Know Nothing faction u an,l coming too from the true apostle of democracy from that truly great man who desired no other eptaph on his monument than this Author of the Declaration of Independence- Of the Statutes of Virginia for religious free. dom-and father of the University of Virginia. j Under that recommendation, Congress, in 1902, reduced the residence to five years, what 1t was under the administration of Washington. and it has thus remained ever snce-more than half century, and 10 evils have resulted from it. For my part, have no hesitation in avow inc that am OnnoSe6 fo opv cb,,ro ;, Lx