Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-05-16

" ~ n ~ -
Letter of James NJ. Jackson, Esq, TO
/ sdgthe Edftor'oftfhe Registef.afTs
Extract from the Register Of April e5th,
lass .g''isaas1fa bI.rfee7 reiw ~ 10
sss..ab svsg .Sas .,'tss.t1 s,I7.
:" Among this number. We are iaform-
ed stands James M. Jackson, Esq, who
was the most active partizan in this coun-
fty for Mr.. 'Flournoy, last spripg-5stump-
ling the county for him. 4 We are,teld that
a visit to some of; the = Councils in Ohio.
lIearly last summer. satisfied him that the
democratic party was the Only national
party now in existence, aud that he con.
I:sideleI himself Sound as a true friend of
the South. to give it his support. We
would like TO hear from Mr.. jackson on
this subject; if he has left The. Know
Nothing party. be undoubtedly did it for
good reasons. and he owes it to the COM
munity 10 give Them" ~
Col. CooPER:-Having beenrequested
to announce my position in politics by the
foregoing article, much as might desire
to preserve silence, yet having been this
second time called upon to give my rea-
sons for leaving the Know Nothing or
American party, feel myselfconstrained
to do so, not only through courtesy and re-
spect for those who have thought fit TO in
terrogate me. but also by a.desire to keep
nothing in regard to my political opinions
concealed or hidden from my friends and
our people. And here, before proceeding
further. allow me to say. that j am not a
candidate for office, nor would accept of
any in the gilt of the people. l trust.
therefore, that what Ihave TO say, will be
received as the untrammelled and unbias.
ed sentiments ofta sincere mind. and an
honest desire to lend my feeble aid in de-
fence of whatI,esteem TO be the true prin.
ciples which we asa people should cling
TO. shall make this letter as brief as /
possibly can. ~ 30 .a.i5 mi4q . 90 ina1
Several months prior to our last election
for Governor, Hound myself. belonging to
no party. The old Wing party, with whom
had always acted. "haying retired from
public life" and having oeenvirtually rem
dered void. and of no effect, by reasonaoi
the amalgamation of. principles, and the
mutual recessions and compromises be-
tween it and the Democratic party,I ads
vocated the claims&of rFlournoy. l
stumped the county for him, and believed
that the Know>Nothing party occupied
high ground rs conservative and sound
constitutional party. Known thingism
at that day. promised nottondlag.u 1T was
before the hydra headed crest Of abolition
had been publicly interviewer i'm its coat
Of arms. 1t did seem at that particular
lluncture, to be, the7sg great and sovereign
remedy-the Panacea for the political ills
the country ; bearing healing upon its
wings. and tidings Of great Joy and glad
ness unto all men. Here waste be nj W
political union, formed of the best ele.
ments and principles of the Wing and
Democratic parties. where no man was to
be prescribed for party sake oriparty zeal.
l ty-whcre the best men were to be select
ed for otfice-where purei and refined
patriotism. and an elevated conservatism,
j protecting the guarantees of the States
\ and their sovereignty, was to be made pat.
ent upon the record OF its political acts.--
. But what was the sequel 2 AS Soon,as the
oath was, administered the same elements
\ of strife existed IN the councils that ever
!, existed out. The same low chicanery and
cunning-the same, merciless disregard in
the strategy of politics, was apparent tc
every rejecting mind. a.a ,s.' shiH
} You say. sir, that you understand il
{ was on visit to some of the councils in
Ohio that became satisfied Of the error Of
this party. 1t was, sir, in the last Guber!
Material canvass in that State, when the
Abolition Chase was elected by the Know
Nothing vote. that I,.became satisfied o
its deadly opposition to the rights of the
South. and its potency for evil Itwss
then l first saw itsypractical fruits 1t then
became abolitionised in Ohio. But, sir
\ l have been in no Council since. 1 be.
lieved then it would cbecomen14 firicaniEed
in the free States, ifnot semi a6OLitionised il
the South--the timeshave proven my.con.
4 illusions to be correct. In Illinois, in
Pennsylvania, iniNew Hampshire-in fact
wherever Khow-Nothing resolves have
been passed for the last year; aye, sir, even
in our own State, within the last ten days,
they are found militant to the rights
ofthe South, and against the Kansas and
Nebraska bill. believe. honestly. that
this party is pregnant with evil and can
effect no good, but may do much harm,
can only take space to call your atten.
ton, and that of my people, sir. torthe las;
Congressional election for Speaker; an
abolitionist and freesoiler, one who has to
wait until time eliminates and settles the
great question of the superiority of the Aft
rican and Caucasian races, by prepon-
derance induced by amalgamation, has
been made Speaker of Che House of Rep
resentatiyes, and that, too. by the refusal
of.the Know>Nothing party of the Sonth,
as they are termed, headed by The Hon.
Jacob Broom, of Pa, who has lately ad.
dressed us, to vote for Mr. Aiken. a ma.
tional man, and one who wouldfstand by
the rights of the people. Banks was elect.
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