The true Democrat., 1856-09-16
From the Louisiana Courier. Another Whix fox Buchanan.

flies of the day. Tn the north, their party has
 been absorbed by black republicanism and Know
 Nottingham; in the south, by Know Nothing
 ism alone The scattered remnants who re-
 main true to their ancient creed are without or
 ganizaton, without living platform and with
 out recognized leader. They are compelled
 to survey the whole political field and cast their
 votes for one of the three candidates, all of
 whom are supported by parties distinct from themselves and standing on platforms to which
 they cannot subscribe
 Nearly all of the eminent statesmen formerly attached to the old whig party, who have re-
 fused to take part with the young monster.
 which claims to be founded on its ruins have declared in favor of MT. Buchanan. Choate and Pearce, Pratt and Benjamin have written able and eloquent letters to that effect which we have laid before our readers. We give be- low coplouS extracts from another letter written by man not so eminent they, but we'll known Tn hs own State, and more likely to in dicate the general course of the popular mind than men Ill more active political life.
 Richard Hawes is we'll known and univer- sally respected lawyer of Bourbon county. Kv He Is Clay whig of the strictest type. and is connected by marriage with an old family of the State, whose best known member of the present day, Is most bigoted Know Nothing lie has represented his district in Congress for several terms, but has retired from political life for many years. His letter attests better than any opinion of ours his calmness and ability. and we consider it of more value. as an indey of the opinions of the quiet old whigs. than the letters of his more eminent friends at Wash ington.
 Alter reviewing the political field, he says:
 "l am one of the old line whig party, now dis organized, and without any candidates for office. My natural preferences and affinities, founded on old associations, would be for Mr. Fillmore first and next for Buchanan. have personal acquaintance with both, and during the whole of Mr. Van Buren's administration; was per- sonally familiar with their public conduct-the one in the lower House, and the other in the Senate. With Mr. Fillmore was politically associated, and he possessed my highest confi- dence, which has since been confirmed by wise and statesmanike administration of the executive duties of the government differed with Mir. Buchanan on those grounds which are familiar to every one who Is versed in party
 history.
 believe that both Mir Fillmore and Mr.
 Buchanan statesmen of eminent experience. conservatism and ability, and that both of them are sound on all the essential questions of sla- very and the rights of slave States. Both of them are citizens of free States, and prefer their own institutions and both of them would as believe accord to the slave States and the people their constitutional rights
 MT Fillmore Is associated with Mir. Donel son, as a candidate for the office of Vice Presi- dent, who Is a gentleman of respectable cha racter and talents, but with very small political experience, and who, still holding democratic principles, and planting his claims upon the Know Nothing platform, has nothing in his past history or present position to commend him to the regards of the old line whgs.
 With Mir. Buchanan is associated for the same office, John c. Breckinridge of Kentucky. a gentleman of great purity of character conservative democrat in principle, firm SUD- porter of the equal rights of the States sound upon all the slavery issues, and possessed of manners as amiable as his talents are unaues tionable.
 With portions of the platform proclaimed by the friends of both of these gentlemen. I disagree. It must be admitted that the main questions of administrative policy, on which the old line whig and democratic parties were di- vlded, have been decided, or deprived of all vitality"
 Alter naming in detail the old issues between wings and democrats now settled, and express ing general personal confidence in Mr. Fill | more, he proceeds: "Bnt must express my regret and disappoint- l ment that such party was ever formed, and that MT. Fillmore should have united himself with 1t. l regret to find that so many gentle men for whom l have and yet entertain very high respect, and whose talents, worth and statesmanship of the very best grade, have joined the American organization. Without discussing unpleasant topics with many friends with whom have been united socially and tlxF of mauy old comrades, who, in the hurry of par ty ebullition, have united with an order, which, as l believe, is fast receding before the public investigation, 1 will merely state some of its most prominent objections and errors.
 l object to both its discipline and principles. A. to Its iscipne, 1t commenced in the dark est secrecy and the most stringent oath bound ob' b'igatons. The national council has recom- meuded 10 the State councils that their secrecy shall be abolished--subject however, to the discretion of each State council; and so far as this re- zion of the State of Kentucky is con- ccrned, their party meetings and action are as secret from he beginning. They are still held together by the most solemn oaths, and united by party discipline and government almost as stern as military despotism. They have means of ntercommunication, which en- ableS the party to assemble and act with almost electric rapidity. They have cries of trouble, cries of danger and cries of distress, which en- able them to throw their columns of resistance or attack, unarmed or armed in an instant, up- on any point This party array must necessa- riy be called into requsiton in the heat and fury of elections, and the opposition which it necessarily begets and the excess to which 1t | necessarily rushes, must convert elections into theatres of riot and bloodshed. It is govern | ment of oath bound affiliated clubs seeking to take possession of the federal and state autho- | rites.
 So far as they seek to carry out the principle, that naturalized citizens only shall have the right of suffrage, concur; and so far as they aim to extend the period of residence, before naturalization, so as to prepare the foreigner to study our language and our institutions, to vote understandingly, and to become part and parcel of us, l also concur. But in so much as they | would debar naturalized foreigner, or a native or naturalized Catholic from holding office, 1 wholly object. Our federal constitution, as well as all of our State constitutions, guarantees that perfect liberty of conscience which forbids religious tests of office, treats religion a con- cern between each man and his Creator, and prohibits the interference of governments What Is the practical difference to the Catholic whether he be disfranchised by an act of Con- gress, or by organized mandates of an oath bound and dominant party?
 The bad effect of the Know Nothing organi- zation upon the foreigner and Catholic are now most pal paby developed
 Instead of being homogeneous people in the midst of our people, they are driven by | those laws which ever govern persecution, into | a compact mass and party, arrayed against their oppreSsors.
 My sympathies and opinions arc with the Protestant, and the history of the old world | inclines me to believe that republican freedom is more likely to take root and flourish in Pro- testaut countries That same history also teaches that an alliance between government aud religion is injurious to both, and tends to make both prosecuting and tyrannical. With free constitution which necessarily includes free ,f If and