Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-09-13

ed as to the PURPOSES of the party, or m,
shadow would never darkened their door
| took my hat aid wished them good morn
| ing,
Fellow-citizehs, there was once in the mid
die ages a political society in Europe, anc
especially in Germany, called the IUun,inot
one Of its practices was that whe an individ
nal became partially Or fully initiated, and
afterward disclosed any of its secrets, two
alternates were offered to the wretched VIC
tina cord and dagger were secretly placed
by his bedside, and he might either hang
himself or put himself to death with the dag
ger; if he choose neither of the delightful
alternatives, his nearest relation, even his
own brother, if member of the society,
was bound to take his life Fellow citizens,
all secret political societies are alike In
this age, since letters and the press are come
about the cord and dagger are no longer used;
venal press affords a far more potent wea-
pom ard mere yindictive punishment. By
falsehood, by calumny, by libel and detrac-
ton, not only may the heart of the victim
himself be torn in pieces, but the feelings of
His wife, His mother, his children, of his
vengeance sake, Fellow-citizens such per-
secution | myself have undergone, and you
know it.
| could not reconcile it to my conscience to
become Know Nothing, because [ believed
the principles of the party to be antagonis-
tic to civil and religious liberty, ard danger
Gus to our republican Institutions. Throw
ing out banner inscribed, "Americans on
ly shall rule America they appeared to me
like the yelled prophet of Khorassal1, who,
consealing his horrible tisage behind silver
VEIL erected shrnes
tsWhere faith may mutter DER his mystic spell,
Written in blood and Bigotry may swell
The sail he spreads Cor Heaven with blats from He'll
| could not become a Know Nothing
where shall I 60 p Fellow citizens, [
turned my thoughts back to the old party
of my father. / knew its principles to be
true ; some Of its practices had been bad
but | believe its principles, once true, they
must always be SO, for truth cannot die
They teld me that the party was dead, but
| believe that it was only Utter tie death
that the resurrection Would come. In con-
cert with sdnse ofmy bretheren we dctermin-
ed to strive after its resurrection. There
was no meeting calling itself Wing in all
my region OF country that | did not attend.
There vas no convention at which | was
not present. Every effort to resuscitate the
old party which could be made was made =
The result was the convention at Louisville
on the third day of July, 1t was then re-
solved to be inexpedent to present Viii
candidates for the highest offices for the suf-
frages Of the people and it was determine
ed that, having asserted our principles, it was
PROPER that each man should be left free to
make his own choice according to his own
conscience and his own principles for the
good of his country.
Fellow citizens, have followed the wing STAN
dard so long as it futtered in the breeze,
would have followed it always always expect
to maintain wing principles. Like an eloquent
old-line whig of Missouri, now acting with
the democrats, Il have surveyed the whole
battle field, but I have found no whig BAN
ner under which to fight" Like him am
forced to the conviction that the old whig
flag lies furled upon the tomb of my father.
Fellow citizens, the country is in dan
ger In 1920 our wisest and best states
men told US there was great danger from the
question of slavery. For the purpose of
putting it at rest, the so-called Missouri
compromise was made but it did not settle
the question. Again, in 1S49-50, it raised
its horrid front. Fortunately for the coun-
try, at that time there were then at Wash
ington men of Il giant race, who could see
aud appreciate the danger, and warn the
country it. Do you reccollect how the
black cloud sat like leaden pail upon the
hearts of men--how the bravest trembled
for the Union Do you not remember with
what anxiety all eyes were turned to Wash
nton-with what trembling interest you lis
tened for every scrap of news? AT last
the tidings came that the compromise meas
of 1850 had been passed, although in
detail. Have you forgotten the rejoicings
throughout the land How the bells rang,
and the glad shouts went unto Heaven in
gratitude that the country was safe ? How
vain and how futile were the hopes of the
best and wisest of men. Scarcely arc some
OF the principal astors in these noble scenes
laid in their graves, when again the black
cloud is upon us. The country is in dan
ger. The black republicans of the North,
determined to carry out their designs against
the South at all hazards, and at every risk
have nominated purely sectional candidates
for the Presidency and Vice Presidency
North against South-union or disuniori-
this is the question now before you and you
cannot avoid it. 1tisnot alone, who tell you
SO. Americans as you choose to call your
selves, old line wings, it is Mr. Fillmore also
who tells you so. Hear what he says in his
Albany speech, recently delivered speech
so patriotic and honorable to him:
'Sir, you have been pleased to say that
Have the Union of these States at heart
That, sir, is most true, for if there be one
object dearer to me than another, it is the
unity prosperity and glory of this great
republic ard confess frankly, sir, that |
fear it is in danger. | say nothing of any
particular section, much less of the several
candidates before the people. | presume
they are ali honorable men, But sir,
what do we see An exaspirated feeling
between the North and South, on the most
exciting of all topics, resulting in bloodshed
and organized military array
"Bu' this is not all, sir. We see poll
teal party presenting candidates for the Pres
idency and Vice Presidency selected for the
first time from the free States alone. With
IL I &c II.