The daily union., 1856-01-12
THE DIVISIONS IN THE AMERICAN PARTY.

singular benefit upon history The fact that every days
proceedings has been in greater less degree relieved
and varied BY succession OF debates involving the theory
Of parties and the positions Of parties, and the other
fact that all the sayings and dongs of the representatives
OF the people have been faithfully Transcribed and set forth
by corps onewspaper and elegaphic reporters constant
the spot during the session. have given TO the action
Of the dissenen House character that viii render IL OF
considerable importance during the presidential campaign
The enuncaon OF principles by the party saved
it from the fate which always attends upon explanatory
apologize position. Speaking but sentiment though
representing of voters scattered many degrees
of latitude and residing in different anospheres OF eli
and Of opinion, and Of controlled by
rety of local feelings curious and striking spec
ace observe the unanny of that party in reference
all those Issues which seemed 10 divide the other poi
cal organizations But il is the American party which has
suffered since the present House OF Representatives
together in Washington. We that do no
injustice to the record when say that, after all these
lengthy and exciting debates the democratic column stands
unscahed and unbroken while the American organization
has been wouly shattered and demorazed In referring
to the American party do not include that majority
thrown into Congress by of know-nothing votes,
and bellgerent in the proclamation of disunion
or abolition sentiments but those who insist upon be-
ing the only representatives OF the nationality Of Amer
eanism, and stand respectively upon the 9th article
and 18th section of the Philadephia platform. Tie
curious fact has appeared, during the OF the
discussions in the House. that while the 18th section
has been resstess weapon OF destruction the Ame
partyin the northern States, and has off from it
other dogmas but has reduced it in that quarter Of the
TTuian Ia mis- hle m wi
real power in any State and with possible contin
gent control upon any considerable number Of voters in
any future conflict the other 9th article has been no
potential in the South in breaking up the foundations
Of Americansm in States and in placing the
American party in every other State in the South in
attitude Of sedeence-an attitude rendered all the more
fatal Them inasmuch this very article warmly ad
vocated by their brethren the North and by
of those who represent southern constituencies in pres
ent Congress
If we begin with Mr.. Banks, who is running as the
republican candidate for Speaker and who is put for
ward, Also member of the American order, it is
not doubted that the fact that he is know-nohing
if fully proved to the country, would lose him votes in
Congress while within the last few days have
member upon the floor demanding that Mr. Banks should
establish his Americansm before he obtained his voie
The Hon. Lewis D. Campbell who is known as republican
leader and the time prominent member of the
American order did hesitate to remind Mr. Banks of
his doubtful attitude the knownothng question few
days ago. and Mr. Robson Of Pennsylvania seconded Mr.
Campbells doubts far by Withdrawing his support from
Mr. Banks, while Mr. Damrel, of Massachusetts and
other gentlemen in Congress certifying to the fact
that Mr Banks in full communion with the order
Then again. we had Mr.. Eusts of Louisiana, in speech
Il Il. - ~,
have done honor to any democrat far its elo-
quent repudiaton Of the Sh anti-Cathoc article
of the Philadelphia platform concerned-inyoking
defeat upon the bulk of his own party for assisting
by this odious article the disanchisemcnt Of mil
lion and half of American Catholics, and defending
those Catholics against the assaults OF his own friends
with much vehemence if their rights had been at
tackled by their personal enemy and his own This deve
opment was answered by the somewhat elaborate speech Of
Mr.. Whitney, brother national know-nohing member
from New York, who justified the 9Th article as great
achievement of statcsmanshp and denounced Catholics
Of including those who had assisted to elect his
know-nothing brother from louisiana the enemies of
the institutions OF the country Mr. Walker, Of Ala
bams was the next to trample upon the auti-Caholc
feature Of the know-nohing creed though bis own col
league the Hon VIM r. Smith, bad previously proclaim
ed ardent support oil
sincerity of Mr. zolcoe Of Tennessee who repels with
manly scorn the mputation that the American order
hostile to religious rights Of any portion of our citizens
aud vet Mr. Paine and Mr. Reade, of North Carolina his
own political brothers take exactly the opposite ground
and wbe they do that religious prescription part
Of their creed yet neither do they hesitate to support the
9Th or anti-Cahoc article Nor is the South united
upon The 9Th or national section in the Philadelphia plat
form Mr. Bolts tho notorious and avowed opponent Of
the l2th section and demands that the whole slavery
question shall be ignored, and Mr.. Carlie of his
State and Mr. Walker, of Alabama, and Mr. Eustis, Of
Louisiana all cling It the mariner cugs to the las,
plank when the night and the tempest close around him
Even upon their own rights therefore the southern mem
bers OF the order are not united
Ifw undertook further description Of this division
this article would he carried 10 an indefinite length we
again contrast II with the solid unit presented by the demo-
cratic party well upon its principles rs upon Its usage
n il true that there element which sod6es all
,ions Of the know-nothng party and which, I'M great
measure attracts the knowno,hng party to the abolition
istsaud that is hostility the firm and undaunted front
by the democracy But the fact that the latter Is
true to the truth and willing to endure any sacrifices
rather than abandon ground cannot fail 10 have most
triumphant eject upon the conservative who are still
TO the kuow-nohng order in every State in the
Union, and will speak trumpet,ongued against the hide