American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-05-10
From the Staunton True American.
Erirciplcs and Policy Of the Amegi-
can Party. no. 4.


GENTLEMEN:--O the third instant.
Mr.. Wise, the Governor of Virginia,
addressed a letter to the Was shington
Union, ostensibly to correct an alleg-
ed misreport of some remarks attribn-
ted to him, but really, it would seem
to me to make an occasion for an un-
just and unprovoked assault on the A.
mcucan party.
IN that letter Mr.. Wise uses the fol-
lowing language:
Certainly, the cause of civil and re-
ligious freedom, maintained by the De-
mocracy of Virginia, was nobly sup
ported by many of tho truly conserva-
tive, conscientious, and constitution
loving Wings of our State, but l never
was able to fix the number. We glad
ly took them in exchange for the rene
gado Democrats who sneaked away
from their former friends, and took a
test oath in the secrecy Of the culvcrt,
by the light of a dark lantern. Whe-
thcr these Wings can be reclaimed by
the new nomination at Philadelphia,
time will show. [ think they cannot
be. NH Fillmore is no longer a Wing;
ne has been changed by the hocus po-
Gus OF tho necromancy of SAM. In the
next Presidential canvass there will be
new issues presented by three parties;
the white man party-the Democrat
lc; the black mans party-the Black
Republicans; the mulatto party-the
cross of northern and southern Know
Nothings-the ticket of Messrs. Fill
more and Donelson. All nature alb
hors vacuums and mongrels; and so do
conscientious, conservative, and consti-
tuition loving Wings of Virginia. They
can put up better with pure Africans;
wool, flat nose, odor, ebon skin and
gIzzard, foot and all--bettcr than they
can bear that cross Of the Caucasian
andCuify which you call a-mulatto. !"
=, With regard to the taste dis played
by MIR. Wise in the choice of his cpl
thcts and illustrations, | have not one
word to say; for an old proverb admon-
ishes us that there is no disputing a.
bout tastes. Nor shall I stop to en-
qure whether it be altogether in accor-
dance with the usagos Of the past for
the Chief Magistrate of the Common
wealth to descend into the arena of
party politics. Passing all these things
by, | propose to make Mr.. Wise's let
ter my text for series of articles in
tended to explain the true doctrines
nnd policy of the American party, &
to show that they arc obnoxious to
none of the charges and insinuations
made by Mr.. Wise, but, on the other
hand, that they are sanctioned by the
principles Of the constitution, by the
practice and known opinions of the ia.
'hers Of the republic, and by the obvi-
Gus dictates of patriotism and common
sense.
Vague and indefinite assertions like
those INDUCED in by Mr.. Wise may for
time impose on the unenlightened--
spartlcularly when supported by the
prestige of q distinguished name, and
high official position, but, with men of
sense, they will pass by as the idle wind
unless they are sustained by proof.
1t is to be regretted that Mr.. Wise
should allow his prejudiccs and impet-
oo$ity of temper to mislcad him so far
os IN effect to question the patriotism
OF near one half of his fellow citizens.
men quite as intelligent, and quite as
inonest MS himself. The reason, doubt
'oss, is, that Mr.. Wise is man of
great talent and sclf.rclianco, & much
quickness Of perception, but by no
means given to patient investigation,
ana tho calm and dispassionate oxami.
nation of facts and principles. When
ne gIancos at subject, he readily en-
braces prominent views of it, and fan
cles that he has seen it in all it's as
poets and understands it in oil it's rela-
IONS and details. Unfortunately the
american party was FIRST presented to
mr. Wise under circumstances pecui.
.eriy unfavorablc to his forming fair
judgment Of its principles and merits.