Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-01-19
pisinterested Testimony.

The Following remarks OF Mr. keltt, oil
South Carolina, contain just and disin.
terested tribute 10 the nationality of the
Democratic party. MI. Keitt is one ofthe
abieet, as well as one of the boldest mem.
beers of tue present House. The country
owe him much Cor his powerful attack up
on the Know Nothing party, during the
last session. HIS speech was about the
first delivered upon the subject, and as we
conceive. the best. It covered the whole
ground, and was. in our opinion, unanswer.
able. For map Of such talent 10 pay the
following tribute to the Democratic party,
ills no idle compliment
Mr.. keitt. Mr. Clerk, the gentleman
from Aamama Mt. Walker has dragged
me into this rambling discussion; aud as
will not allow any party, particular
IL the party with Which, am cooperating,
even through implication, to be wrong
ed through me, choose now TO speak for
my self The gentleman quotes from
speech made BY me last fall before por-
ton Of my constituents, at Barnwell court
house. will say. that advanced no
opinion in that speech which | wish now
to retract, and made no statement which !
am disposed to qualify.
| The gentleman from Virgins Mr.. Bo-
cock is correct in saying that do not
technically belong to the Democratic party
organization. Sir, wear no party collar.
and never will wear one. never will
abdicate my individuality, or merge my
sell in any party, so as TO commit self-ab-
negation. will support any measure
which IS just, wise. and constitutional,
come II from what party it may; and Twill
resist any measure VIII CHI is the opposite
to these, however emblazoned it may be
with party insignia, aud however au,hen-
ticateJ by the stamp Of party council. /
am content, sir. to express here my own
opinions. aud those of nv constituents,
which may legitimalely represent. ad.
wise gentlemen to some mOdesty and cir
cumspectior in utiering the or.cles of par
ty. A few years ago you had men who
could speak foI party. You had men
whose splendid intellects and lofty patrio-
tism made parties. Parties were then ba-
sed upon principles. and their organization
was the breath of these men. Now, men
are the breath of parties. Now, parties
make men; then, men made parties. Bu.
those times are gone, and those great names
are only illuminated with historic glories.
repea; then, sii, that cannot be quo
ted, as member OF the Democratic purity,
to show want Of harmony in lis ranks, as
am not strictly in its oreaniza lion. | will
say, however. that have hitherto sup
ouI 70
continue to do SO. have given it my sup
port, and shall continue to give it my
support, because it approaches much near
or TO the true policy Of the country and
the principles of the Constitution than any
other organized party in the Republic
1t is the only party which, III circling
round its mighty orbit, touches the poles
Of the Constitution.
la the speech TO which the gentleman
from Alabama MIR. Waiker] referred,
condemned the doctrine Of "squat,er sover-
eighty In my speech on the Nebraska
bill. in 1854, on this floor, condemned
it. The gentleman from Virginia, Mr.,
Bocock can say whether he approves it or
not? Gentlemen from the North can say
how Jared the discussion upon this bill
with them. will not enlarge upon these
points now; but rs soon as the House orga-
nizes. shall take an early occasion to
present my views upon these various ques-
tions.
Mr.. Brooks. Will my colleague allow
me to ask him-and do il in the way Of
a suggeslion-if he does not approve oil the
principles Of the resolution o: the Demo-
cratic caucus, and OF the Presidents mes
sage?
MIR. Keilt. do most cordially. THANK
my colleague for the inquiry, as il enables
me to take up the glove SO courteously
thrown down by the gentleman from North
Carolina Mr.. Reade. | say to him that
in my judgement, hls party-that is. the
American or Know Nothing party-is
guilty of.iv,l and religious prosecution
This will show. The know Nothing par.
~ binds ITS members, understand, to vote
against all members Of the Roman Catho-
lie church. Is not this making religion,
: tests. aud are not religious tests prohibited
BY the Constitution Let US examine
tins.
What j. suffrage! 1t isa political con-
trivance to collect and express the public
i, oPiniou anu PuUHc Will - shc IiRN "
suffrage a natuIa! orr conventional right
: 1t is the latter, beyond doubt. II So.
from what do you get II. From your or
game law. Now as you get il from your
organic law, it is Of course, given with ali
the limitations and conditions imposed by
the fundamental law. What does that sa, !?
Why, that there shall BE- no religious test.
The clause granting suffrage, and clause
prohibiting religious tests, must be con-
j strued in accord with each other. Thus
: the organic law imposes restriction upon
0 the exercise Of suffrage; and whoever
makes religious tests violates that cvnsti'"
tional restraint
But i. has been argued that the Know
Nothing party does not eontem plate the
enactment of law excluding Roman
Catholic and naturalfzed foreigners from
all Offices. II his result is accomplished
through the agency ofthe baIlot-Sox, will
i: not be as yiolative Of the Constitution as
il achieved through positive enactme Isl
II, through an fundamentally put into
your hands by the organic law, you accom-
! plish the subversion oil the latter, is il not