American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-05-10

party first become recognized in tho
State, and he saw it in attitude of an
tagonism to himself. He saw it like u
lion in his path, and lion somewhat
shrouded in mystery. Without stop
ping to inquire what the principles of
the party were, and what it's policy
was likely to be, he forthwith made
fierce and unrelenting war upon it, s.
brought all his powers Of mind, and
body too, into the contest. He had no
opponent on the hustings--he travcr-
scd the whole State, representing A
mericanism to be just what his heated
supposed it to be--and af-
ter a campaign against q phantom of his
own creation, he came off the victor by
near 10000 votes. 1t is not to be
wondered then, that MIR. Wise after
dwelling upon his distcmpcred views of
Americanism, for more than year,
should conscientiously believe that it
is some dreadful monster, threatening
the peace and welfare of the country,
And / will add here that it is suit
able retribution upon that party, that
it should have been misrepresentcda and
misunderstood, for it's shameful delin-
quency in the contest of 1855, in not
sending forth u champion to do battle
in its behalf-to explain it's doctrines
to vindicatc its principles-to exhib-
1T before the public its proposed policy
and to scatter to the winds the thousand
and one idle stories that were circula-
ted in regard to it,
But all that has passed4-we have to
deal with the Americans of 1856, not
with the blundcrs and follies of 1855.
The party has cast aside the veil of Sc
crecy, and all its cumbrous mummery,
and it now presents itself as an open
organization-in the full light of day
with its principles emblazmed on its
banners challenging the confidence,
the admiration and the affection of
true patriots.
All it asks is to be tried by its prin-
ciples and the measures which it pro-
poses as the legitimate result of those
principles. tasks yirginians to look
at them fairly and dispassionately, s.
to say whether they are not the princi-
pies of the Constitution-both State
and Fcderal-the principles of Wash
ington, Jefferson, Madison, and the o.
thor fathers of the republic-thc prin-
ciples best calculated to arrest the tide
of radicalism, and socialism, and black
.republicanism, which have for years
past, been sweeping over this land; &
to maintain inviolate, the institutions
of the South, the guarantees of the
Constitution, and the country. If they
be not such, then ask no support for
them.
These are the propositions which I
mean to ostablish-not by vague asser-
tion-not by catch-words and empty
dcclamation--but by substantial and
well authenticated facts, drawn from
the Constitution, the laws and the his
tory of the country. L shall state
nothing which l will not prove by evil
dencc which deem worthy of credit.
| invite the strictest scrutiny, and if L
Inadvertently fall into an error, will
cheerfully correct it when satisfied by
proof that | am wrong.
The opinions of men on all political
as well as moral questions, will be as
diverse as the minds of those who entor-
tain them. Much latitude must be
allowed and much federation practiced
on this subject. But historical facts
are fixed and Interchangeable, and are
susceptible Of being brought to STAN
dard by good reasons. My facts will
rest on authorities which | will cite
wherever the matters are not of such
recent occurrence and general notorie-
ty as to render the citation of author
ity unnecessary.
will also state in advance, that it
is my purpose studiously to abstain
from all harsh and offensive expressions
to make no personal imputations, Il
to observe that courtesy to those who
differ from ME, which should always
distinguish the intercourse Of gentle
men.
With these preliminary remarks, |
proceed to examine some of the propo-
sitlons assumed by Mr.. Wise.
Certainly" says that gentleman,
"tho cause Of civil and religious free
dom,. maintained by the Democracy of
Virginia, was nobly supported by ma
ny OF the truly conservative, conscien-
tons, constitution loving Wings Of the
State, but never was able to fix their
number"
presume there can be no rational
doubt that the fair Inference to be
drawn from this sentence is, that the
american party, and those Wings and
Democrats who co.operatod with them
in the canvass of last spring, were, in
the Judgment Of Mr.. Wise, opposed to