The true Democrat., 1856-04-01
From the Richmond Enquirer The New Philadelphia Know Nothing Platform.

Nothing Platform.
 We are at a loss to decide whether this plat form is most remarkable for the intellectual im- beciity which it displays, for it's low, transpa- rent vulgar cunning and hypocrisy or for it's down right unblushing dishonesty.
 10 commence with the last, but gravest charge. the third and fifth clauses of this plat form, taken in connection with the fourteenth cooliy propose to take away, to rob, to steal from about fifth of the people of our America, the rights of Americans, in order that fac.ious Know Nothngs may fatten on the spos.- Every Catholic is expressly decimated, for every Catholic recognises an "obhgation" (spirituaA of some description to the Pope None con- sider this obligation in ciUH matters "paramount to all other laws, or rules of political action,~ and therefore this dishonest and sneeling phrase Is intended to steal from Catholics their vested rghts," and to brand them as an inferior caste, The third clause proposes, by an erpost facto law, to violate our promise to all foreigners, whom we induced to settle in America, by holding out to them the prospect of speedy na- turalization, and equal rights of citizenship The two clauses propose to deprive, clandes- timely, unfairly, and dishonestly, about one fifth of the white people of America, of all those rights that render life desirable to the honorable and intellectual. The annals of his- tory present no instance of an attempt to com- init so gross fraud.
 To show that profitable fraud is the sole ob- ject of this party, we have only to call atten- ton to the fact that Know Nothings will never entertain or listen to a proposition to regulate future immigration. We may honestly, fairly and properly say to foreigners on what terms they shall hereatter migrate to this country Mir. Aiken thought so, and the democrats voted for R,+ roh from who have nothing, and therefore Know Noth- inglsm confines its action to divesting the exist ing rights of foreigners and Catholics, in order that they may monopolize the honors and offices, to which Catholics and naturalized for | eigners have equal right. If there were one throb of patriotism, or sentimental justice, fair ness and equity, in this new party, they would contne chiefly direct their efforts to future im- migration. But there are no spells in that direc- ton, and therefore and therefore alone know nottingham is silent about a fair and legitimate subject of party difference and discussion, (future immigration,) and seeks only to do wrong and injustice, where profit may follow. So much for the downright dishonesty of this platform. Its professions of respect for religious liberty, "vested rights" and the rights of the States with Its proposals to violate those rights leave us at loss which most to admire, its inteec- tual imbecility rits gross hypocrisy. We have already shown that it would sweep away reli- gious liberty and vested rights by the whole sale. In taking away, as it proposes, from the States, the right to determine each for them selves the qualifications of voters, it violates grossly the rights of the States, as understood and practised upon throughout the Union. In its indirect approval of the Missouri compro- mise, 1t in effect asserts that southern slave holders aIe degarded caste and the southern institutions are tolerated only from necessity | Equality of right between northern aud south ern States Is express y repudiated, hy the con demnatlOn of the action which proposed to re- store that equality.
 For the rights of the States, for the rights of conscience for political and social rights, not a care or feeling is exhibited in this platform. It Is simply and purely meeting to devise ways and means for the strong to oppress the weak" for the majority to rob the minority. It contains not one redeemng one moral one pa triotic feature. No fanatcism, no bigotrv, no visionary philanthropy qualities or redeems it. Injustice, sefshness, hypocrisy and mental imbecility are its only characteristics.
 The Gunpowder Plot and the Vespers of St. Bartholomew excite detestation and horror blended yet with admiration for the religious devotion and fanaicsm that inspired their au- thors. But this wholesale petit larceny at Phia- delphia would occasion only feelings of oath- ing and disgust for its blasphemous invocation of God and religion to justify and sanctfy it's intended frauds
 To show how this miserable platform is "spt upon" by Virginians, even by members of the , Know Nothing party, quote from the clos ing scenes in the Philadelphia convention:
 MT. McCune, of Virginia, said that the na- tional council had adopted platform which was satisfactory neither to the north nor to the south. They had now platform which was satisfactory to both, in the shape of Fillmore and Donelson. He moved that the convention repudiate all platforms. The motion was se- ccnded, and thereupon great scene of confu- sion took place; in the midst of which the vote was taken on the motion; but it was impossible for any one to decide whether it was adopted or rejected. The President was unable to tell, but he thought that it was lost. On the other hand the Virginians contcnded that it was adopted. In the midst of the confusion, mo- tion was made to adjourn sine dis, and it pre- vailed"