Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1856-02-07
For the Glasgow Times.

For the Glasgow Times.
Mn EDIToR IL notice an article in the
"Howard County Banner" of the tult.,
signed "Hiclory," which purports tobc
patriotic thrust at the alleged impudence
and rascaliiy of the American Party. A
very pretty piece indeed, corrected per-
haps by Hancock.) But il is 10 be regret
ted that the writer did not coniine himself
more closely to candid argument and an in
genuous statement of facts.
The object and policy Of this party as full
ly stated in the outset by Hickory, we are
well assured, could not be objected 10 by
any intelligent, rejecting mind, viz: ITO
check the fearful influence of Roman Ca
tholocism in this country"--and that GA
mericans should rule America" Can the
gentleman pretend TO deny the fact of a
power among us which has sworn allegi-
unce 10 an authority esteemed by it to be
above any and every other earthly tribunal?
A power incorporated in and strengthened
by a religious fanaticism which would
sweep every obstacle from its path. A
power rapidly increasing, and becoming,
with every fresh accession 10 its strength,
more bold and daring in its demands and
policy-a spower whose head has, from
time immemorial, assumed and exercised
despotic sway, both over Church and State,
in every country where its claims could be
enforced-a power as crafty and insidious
as it is bold and daring.
Isay can he with the light Of past histo-
ny and the stubborn facts daily passing be-
fore him, deny the existence of such pow
er among us2 Or knowing its existence,
can he deny the dangerous tendency of it?
Is there no danger in the extension of a
principle directly destructive of our nation
al liberty, which only lacks numerical force
TO trample our Constitution under foot and
place in its stead the nuncos of Pope =
Yet with these startling facts before him,
Hickory" would persuade us 10 welcome
and hail with pleasure, this foreign Papal
Power-invest it with all the rights of ma
tive-born citizens, and shut our eyes 10 oil
possible danger. He would fain even make
make us believe that Patrick Henry was an
advocate Of unlimited emigration! He COM
pares the scum and refuse of Europe, no,C
daily pouring in upon us, with our Pilgrim
Fathers that first landed upon Plymouth
Rock ! Such talk may catch the votes Of the
new hedged, self-important foreigners. But
we mistake if the inheri!or of this glorious
land will brook such an odious comparison.
But what after all, is the terrible wrong
which Hickory seems TO think the A
merican party are about 10 infict upon for
eigners. He calls it prescription The
gentleman seems 10 have forgotten that just
such prescription has been practced ever
since the formation of the Government. II
is provision Of the Constitution-put there
by the prophetic wisdom of its trainers, 10
prevent, ii possible, the very evils witch
the American party now desire TO check
No foreign born citizen is eligible to the
Presidency. Is that prescription? If SO it
it is Constitutional provision, and has ever
been deemed asswise one-where then is the
principle introduced, if foreigners be exclu-
ded from all offices within the gift of the
people? For each is post of trust and
should be zealously guarded in proportion
to its importance.
Another constitutional provision is. that
the right Of suffrage shall be withheld from
foreigners until they have been among us
for term of years. Is it introducing q
new principle, simply, 10 tengthen that term
if deemed necessary for the safety of the
Government? < We think not. Then where
is the principle which "Hickory" says is
unprecedented in the history of American
politics? Does he affirm that foreigners
are TO be prescribed because of their reli-
gion? This the party deny-and sustain
their position, unless politics are 10 be re-
garded part of every mans religion. No
the American party would leave Catholi-
cism to the tender mercies of orthodox
Christians-and only aim to prevent the
politics of the Pope from interfering with
our Republican insti,ions. Precisely upon
the same principle, friend H., that you
would refuse TO give Office to Mormon,
with his score of wives; or to Millerite,
with his crazed notions of approaching de-
struction; or TO q Wakemanite with his
thirst for blood; or (to come nearer home !
to Wing with his erroneous views. In
deed, has not every party, since parties
were known, prescribed politically every
other party in this way? Most assuredly.
Where then, is the bug.bear which seems
to have stirred the patriotism of II. Can il
be that his moaeSty has taken fright at their
determination TO confer "favOrs only upon
the unSoIicitous," or does his guilty con.