Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-01-17
AMERICAN ORGAN.


Delivered "a the House of Representatives. ia an
s,cer 10 Aessrs. ReiH and Barry, on The subject
Of Americanisos."
Mr.. CHAIRMAN; promised, some time since to
express at some convenient period, my opinions in
reference to the principles of what is called the
" Know Nothing party, but which is in truth, the
National or Native American Association and |
avail myself Of this occasion to do so, because,
while shall be able, hope, in the hour allotted
to me, to spread before this committee aud the
country, what believe to be its principles and its
objects, trust shall be also able to defend 1t
against the fiery assaults Of the honorable gentle
man from South Carolina, mr. KEIrT,) and the de-
lberate and elaborate charges ofthegentleman from
Mississippi tMr. BARRy.) Sir, listened attcntively
to these two distinguished gentlemen in their terri
bic onslaught on this obscure despised abject asso-
citation, an association of their own countrymen,
"bone Of their bone, and flesh of their flesh" :"
and confess have heard nothing from either
which, in the slightest degree, has shaken my
confidence, either in the correctness of its prnci-
pies, or the great and glorious objects which it is
destined to achieve for the country will not take
up arms against my own countrymen; and when
u
tween the natve-born citizens of my country, and
foreigners and that contest involves the political
supremacy Of the one over the other, answer,
side with my own countrymen
know well, sir how difficult it is to break up
old political ties and associations.
1t often involves the rupture of personal ties,
and parties originally formed from similarity in po-
litcal views, maintained by considerations pure
ly personal and not unfrequently by motives of
personal interest and advancement
Look st the two old parties. Nearly every ques-
ton that originally divided them has been swept
away. The question of the establishment of Bank
Of the United States has been long since settled,
never believe to be revived The question of the
tariff has been adjusted at least its principles
SO well settled, that no one dreams Of ever again
making 1t party question. The question of how
the public lands shall be disposed Of has ceased to
be party question; for, although not yet adjusted,
the conflicting views entertained by individuals at.
tached to both the old parties, has taken It from
the arena Of party conflict, and SO Of every other
question that formerly divided the Democratic and
Whig parties True, the Democratic party chained
to be national in their views upon the subject Of
slavery, and styled itself the natural ally Of the
South. But what have we witnessed? The great
question of the repeal of the Missouri compro-
mise,n Ia compromise by which the South believed
il was wronged, and by the repeal Of which the
North believed that IL was wronged, was every
where demonstrated by the recent elections, that
neither the Democratic party nor Whig party can
claim to be national upon this great and momen-
tous question.
And the irresistible conclusion to which the
mind was led (although not endowed with extraor-
dinary political sagacity) Was that we were fast
Fastening to a contest the very mention of which
in the earlier and better days Of the Republic would
have filed the heart Of every patriot with horror
and amazement, mean purely sectional contest,
a contest, which although avowedly for polit-
ical power might have ended in dissolution
of the Union accompanied with all the horrors
of civil war--aye, sir, of bellum plusquam civ
ilen Now, sir we witnessed here in this House
not long since specimen Of the spirit of section
alism which influenced some of its most distin-
guished members. The gentleman from Georgia
Mr.. SrEyEss land question not his right to do so,)
Thought proper upon the proposition Of Mr.. MACE,
OF Indiana, to enter into an examination and COM
parison of the relative progress made between the
southern and northern States in moral, social and
physical development aud the gentleman from
Ohio Mr.. CAMpBKLL took up the gage thus thrown
down by the gentleman from Georgia, and in de-
fence of the non-slaveholding States, (by institu.
ting a comparison between the States of Ohio, the
giant Of the West, and the State Of Georgia. en-
deavored TO show that the section from which he
came had made more progress in all the arts Of
civilization, and that in its moral, social and physi
cal condition it was Ear ahead Of, and superior TO
the State of Georgia.
Well, sir, Of one thing at least was convinced,
by this contest between the two gentlemen--that
Georgia was great State, and that Ohio was a
great State also. But shall not rejoice in the
prosperity Of both I? Are they not both members
of common fmilyg IL the State Of Ohio has,
with unexampled rapidty attained so lofty posi-
ton in the confederacy IT, by the industry Of her
hardy sons, she has become the granary, the Egypt
Of the Union be II so. IL is no matter OF regret,
but Of rejoicing with me; and II the State Of Geor-
gia CONTRARY to the theory Of Abolitionists that
State cannot be great and prosperous IL slavery is
tolerated by its sws) presents the highest type Of
civilization, be Il so. Most sincerely do rejoice
that il is so. But, for myself, ! deprecate these
unnecessary and odous comparisons Although
representing the largest slavebolding interest in
Maryland, / have never deemed Tiny duty to enter
into comparison of my own State with any other,
or to defend the institution Of slavery here else
where. II is where the trainers of the Constitu-
ton placed IL. | win not defend Il, by endeavor-
ing to show that II is Of divine origin, and pat
riarchal institution" IT, you ask me by what right
/ hold my slaves, point you to the Constitution.
If you ask me by what arguments viii defend my
right TO them, will answer the Scotch earl did
his terrified monarch, by showing him his naked
sword.
If in disregard of the plainest iniunctions Of the
constitution, you are determined to invade the
rights Of your southern brethren If you willing
TO hazard the existence Of the Union in such con-
test, then say to my northern friends, that we
viii meet you at Mason's Dixon's line, and not as
formerly, as friends and brothers,
But well come with banner, brand, and bow,
As chieftain meets his mortal foe"
But i anticipate no such contest as this, no such
overwhelming calamity for my country at this time
at least. party has sprung into existence, i
not like Minerva from the head OF Jove full armed
at least in its infancy, h possesses the strength Of
Hercules to crush all parties and factions hostile
to the integrity OF this Union. II knows no North,
It knows no South, no East, West. lift is said
to be exclusive because II prefers it's own country
men TO foreigners, thank Heaven il Is national
enough to cover all parts Of this widespread con-
federacy.
The gentleman from South Carolina tells us that
the main objection 10 t is, that It has the " ten
dency TO destroy States rights and bring about a
unity Of the States" deny that 10 seeks TO destroy
the rights Of the States.
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