Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-03-21
From the Washington Union.
Americanism Illustrated by the-Nomi-
nations ut PHILADELPHIA.

Americanism Illustrated by the-Nomi-
nations ut Philadelphia.
An examination of the various efforts
of the Know Nothings, 10 national couu-
Gil TO define " Americanlsm" had led us
to the conclusion that it belonged to the
PIotean genus of entities, which assume
any and every shape that promises to be
most acceptable in any and every locality.
In the North, Americanism and Adolf
tionists, if not Synonymous, were found to
be harmonious allies. In the South,
Americanism was defined to be the sub
limated essence of opposition to Adolf
tionism. In Louisiana liberation Of Ro-
man Catholicism was an essential element
of Americanism. whilst in Alabama and
Tennessee prescription Of Catholicism was
the distinguished features Of American
ism. So on in regard to all the questions
involved in the definitions Of Americansm.
The general result Of our investigations
has been that whatever promises i'll any
locality to lead to the enjoyment of the
spoils of Office is good Amcricanism,
though in some other localities it may be
rank treason to Amcricanism.
The recent nomination made at Phila-
drawn from the action of the several ma.
tional and Stale councils. 1t would have
been difficult for the Philadelphia council
10 select two men as standards bearers
between whose nnteCedents there is SO
much anlagonism. On all the leading
questions which have divided the country
these two gentlemen stand as antipodes.
Mr.. Fillmore was Wing, and svmpathi>
zcd with the Aboitionisls. AS Wing
he was for protective tariff, for a rcck-,
less system Of internal improvements, for
a great National Regulator Of The currcn-
cy, and as an AboliLionist he was in favor
of the widest and wiCkedest measures of
(anaticism. Mr.. Donelson protested to
be a Demccrat-was labelled as such by
General jackson, who made him his pri-
vate secretary-was recognised as such
by Mr.. Polk, who sent him abroad as
minister. Mr.. Donelson was for reYc-
nue. tariff, against a general system of in
ternal Improvements, and against ma.
tonal bank and as Democrat, he WAS
opposed to all the Abolition sentiments Of
Mr.. Fillmore. Americanism, however,
has discovered that these two gentlemen
harmonic, and has selected them for its
standard bearers. Mr.. Fillmore's Abu~
litionism willssuit the North his protcc>
tive views will suit the manufacturers; his
| internal improvement doctrines will suit
the advocates of general system Of plum.
der and corruption. On the other hand,
Mr.. Donelson is u large slaveholder-we
understand that he boosted after his nom.
ination that he owned hundred slaves
that will make him acceptable to the
| South ; his revenue doctrines will suit the
(lee-traders his opposition TO internal
Improvements will make him acceptable
to st,ict constructionists whilst the fact
! that he was connected with Jackson as his
private secretary, and honored by Mr.
Polk with high office. will recommend
him generally to the Democratic party.
Americanism reconciles all these contra
dictions, and presents the two as Ameri-
can candidates
But we do not wish to be understood
as making any objection to the nomina
ton as an American nomination. We
could hardly have suggested combina-
ton which would make our task so easy
in the coming canvass. 1t will be re-
membered that whilst Mr.. Fillmore was
President Mr.. Donelson was editor of the
Washington Union. The Union stood in
direct opposition to Mr., Fillmores admin.
istration, and Mr.. Douelson has left on
record an abundance Of available materi-
ais on which the head Of the ticket can
be effectualIy crushed. We shall make
Mr.. Donelson do our work against MIR.
Fillmore. 1t will be amusing TO End how
bad man Mr.. Fillmore is, according to
Mr.. DonelSon. But all that we care now
to add is, that the nomination gives bet
ter illustration Of Americanism than all
the platforms have given.
JACKSON CoUNrr.-The Democrats of