American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1856-01-24

If they like their own condition in their
own country better than ours, let them 90
back. But |, for one, sir, have planted
myself upon the ground that never will
cease my efforts until that foreign influence
is put down. Loud cheers. And here,
sir, in, reference to, this, let me say that
shall give my vote with extreme reluctance
for any candidate that may be put into the
field who does not stand committed, direct
ly or indirectly, or in whom l have not
sufficient confidence that he will make this
prominent feature of his administration.
Renewed cheers.
regard this, sir, as above all questions
that have divided us, and do not mean to
stop 10 ask any mans opinions upon other
questions. | think we bear relation to-
wards each other like that which is borne
between the allies in Europe, France and
England, who for centuries. past have in
dulged in unrelenting and bitter hostilities
towards each other, have now entered into
an alliance, for the purpose of accomplish
ing certain great object in the war with
Russia. And suppose it should happen
(Which is not at all improbable) that any
difference arose between them, they would,
no doubt, postpone it until after they had
effected the great object Of their present
alliance. So We, at the North and South
Wings and Democrats, slavery men and
anti. slavery men-should combine togeth-
er, without regard to sectional feeling, to
defeat common enemy. Cheers. Shall
we. then. not sink private differences and
cling to the great object for which we have
been organized? Cries of eyes. yes"
What does it become us, as national par
W, to doY 1t becomes us to defend this
great American national organized party,
and to drive from it and denounce every
one who proposes to introduce any other
subject than that for which we are mbined
And, sir, we shall invite the cooperation
of all those who are disposed to unite with
us in carrying that great original object
into execution-who will assist us in put
ting down the influence of these bands of
vicious foreigners who threaten our insti-
tutions and our liberties.
Now, sir, one word upon the subject of
the Roman Catholic religion. am en-
tirely satisfied, from personal investigation,
that the Catholic denomination In this
country constitute dangerous political or
ganization-one which it is indispensably
necessary that We should crush. or it will
ultimately crush us. But sir, the ques-
tion with me is, whether it is necessary to
introduce that Question into OUR platform.
There are two denominations of Roman
catholics in this country. One is foreign
and tie other is native. And, sir, God
forbid that any man should suspect me
of uniting myself with party, disposed to
trample upon any religious denomination.
Let all men worship their Creator afet
their own form, and according to their
own conscience; but when l see a party
that recognises superior obligation of al
legiance to foreign potentate than he does
to the country of his adoption, what have
to say of him is, that he must not rule ovei
or control me or mine. Vociferotis cheer.
ing. l make no war, however, upon his
religion; but if l am required to express
an opinion here as to the true policy of our
party; | should say that We should get rid
Of those Questions that are calculated tc
embarrass and prejudice our organization
and that can accomplish at least no practi
cal good. If you repeal the naturalization
laws, you necessarily get rid of all foreign
Roman Catholics, from whom alone we
have any danger to apprehend. Cries oi
"thats good!"
There are American Catholics. who re-
cognise no such oBligations-men who are
disposed to cooperate with us-men who
were born under republican institutions
who have sucked the milk ofliberty from
theig mother S breast-nurtured under the
flag Of our Union, and as patriotic as we
They, gentlemen, believe, hold no oblga.
or allegiance to the Pope of Rome. And
why have we driven them from us? We
have lost one State in our late election by
the Introduction of this feature into our
platform. We lost the State of Louisiana,
and we came near losing that gallant State,
kentucky. l said, by the repeal of the
naturalization laws, that you necessarily
get rid of all foreign Roman Catholics, and
if there be any of the native Catholics who
feel this obligation and allegiance to the
rope ol nome, Iney are SO lew that we
have nothing to apprehend from them
Neither can they obtain office; and if we
get rid of the prejudice that exists against
us in all sections Of the Union, by thowing
aside any religious disqualification, it will
more than compensate for any disadvant'
age in admitting the few native Catholics
to the right of Office, if they obtain it. We
cannot exclude them from Office. They
have that right under the American Con
stitution, and it is not in the power of the
American party (and | am sure they
would not if they had the poWer) to de-
prive any American Catholic of tie rights
secured to him by the Constitution. Ap
plause, and cries of "no, no."
Mr.. President, If had had an opportu
nifty in the earlier part Of the evening
should have extended my remarks. Blu
when am admonished by you, sir. and o
theirs, that there are young ladies ant
young gentlemen who are waiting with
great reluctance and impatience to retire
to the ball room, it would ill become me
to deprive them Of an enjoyment so mucl
greater than could confer upon then.--,
Cries of "Go on" "Go, on" No, gen
tlemen, do not feel at liberty. Let me
however, in conclusion, exhort the Ameri
can party to be careful as to what they
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