The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-01-08
TO SOUTHERN KNow-NorH1Eos.

1t is no longer to be disguised, for no con-
cealment is attempted, that there are men at
the South. many men, men too of the highest
influence, nay, the very leaders in Know
Nothingism, who would deliberately sur
render the whole question of slavery to the
North for the sake of their votes. The pro-
position is monstrous, and we would not
dare to assert it if we had not the facts be-
fore us. We have already shown this to be
the case with regard to the Washington
Organ, paper claiming to be Southern in
its predictions, whose course, however,
has awakened the most bitter and scathing
denunciations from conservative Southern
journals of the X. N. party. But the evil
is nearer home. The Richmond American
Of Monday, which only came into our hands
yesterday, contains a letter from John Minor
Bolts, introducing another letter addressed
on TIE 18th of November, to mass meeting
of tie X. Ms at Louisville, KY, in which
the 18th section ofthe Philadelphia Platform
and the Philadelphia Convention itself are
repudiated and ridiculed in the most un-
tended extracts, much less for the whole
letter, and shall content ourselves with the
following:
''For if the South shall continue to persist
in holding on to that platform Qisten to me
entreat you, when tell you) certain and
inglOriOus defeat await us. No matter what
you, or I, or the South, may think of that
platform, and no matter how right it may be,
it is not satisfactory to majority of the
party. 1t has not been, and it cannot be,
ratified or endorsed by any one free State
in the Union; and if it should be, it will be
by division of the party and consequent
loss of the State. IfGen. Washington him
self could be restored to life, and should be
nominated and placed on that platform, he
would be defeated.
"The recent elections in the North serve
to show what we might do as q united party;
but we must not forget that the elections in
New York and Massachusetts were carried
by a reputation of that platform, and in
spite of it; and that in a general or Presi-
dental election, if we insist upon it, We
must be divided, and consequently must be
beaten"
Il know, too, it is quite bravely and patri-
otically declared by some that they will
''sink or SWIM with this platform. All /
have to say on this point is, that do not
see the practical wisdom or practical utility
of adopting such sentiment For my own
part, l do not want to sink at all. | had
rather swim ashore without the aid of a
plank, than be drowned with one. / had far
rather swim without platform, than sink
with the best that ever was constructed"
Il avail myself, therefore, of this occa-
sion to offer these suggestions, (which it
costs nothing to consider,) as being, in my
judgment, the only course left us as party
for chance of success That Philadelphia
Platform must in some manner be ignored"
What say you, men of the South, Know
Nothings of the South! Are you prepared,
after all your protestations, to bow your
necks and kiss the rod that the Northern
Abolitionists are shaking in your face
VIII you eat your words; surrender your
principles, abandon your rights, and leave
the National Democracy North and South
the task of fighting your battle alone. Or
will you urepudiate and renounce this suicidal
course, and, differing from us, as you honest
ly may and do on questions of policy, will
you forget for time your disagreements
and unite with us in the great question, the
question of life? The issue is upon us; time
presses; use no unnecessary delay, but
decide deliberately, wisely, patriotically.-
Petersburg Democrat.