The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-04-17

pains and penalties 1t were wiser to direct our
indignation against the native born demagogues
who play upon their prejudices, rather than to
attempt to punish their victims by curtailing
their rights. We recognise but one rule In our
dealings with all men, of whatever race-the
rule of "equal and eract justice"
As to the German citizens, our correspond
ent speaks from his own observation, but Is he
sure that it is very extensive oneY 1t Is true
the German vote was given for the Democratic
candidate in Chicago, but the reason was, that
the Republican candidate lad been nominated
first by the Know Nothings, who are pledged
to a system of policy involving the degradation
of naturalized citizens. Is it surprising that,
when they thought their own rights implicated,
they subordinated the Nebraska Question? We
may complain that they suffered themselves to
be imposed upon, but they have learned one
lesson from their American education-that
eternal vigilance is the price of Liberty"
When they see powerful organization, pro-
claiming its purpose to exclude foreign-born
citizens from Office, and to protract the period
not blame them for Withholding support from
candidates nominated and supported by it.
Who of US would vote for our own degrade.
ton?
Let us be just. The great majority of our
German citizens are intelligent, assiduous read
ers of newspapers, and, like the rest of the Sax
on family, hostile to Slavery. For years past,
they have been gradually becoming enlighten-
ed as TO the inconsistent position of the Demo-
cratic Party in relation to Human Bondage /;
and the repeal of the Missouri Compromise
alienated large numbers of them, and drove
them into the ranks of the Opposition: there
they will stay and work, unless driven back by
the proscriptiveness of Know Nothingism.
Some time since we printed list political
journals in the German, showing a ma ority of
them to be Republican. They are anxious to
sustain the Republican mOvement--the pres
tige of the name, Democracy, has ceased to de-
Jude them. But, they have the sense to see
that Repubicanism is embarrassed by Know
Nothingism, and some are in doubt whether
the latter element may not so far mix itself up
with it, as to make it impossible for them to
sustain the movement.
Reassured on this point, their votes will be
given to the Republican candidates.
In relation to the Know Nothings, let us ad-
NIT that they had some ground for their hos.
tility to foreign influence, and their jealousy
for American Nationality surely, after the
demonstration of the last eighteen months,
they ought to be satisfied. Who of them now
apprehends danger to the Common School
system? Who doubts longer of the intense
Americanism of the People of this country?
Who will say that the Demagoguism that once
fostered clannishness and arrogance among
naturalized citizens, has not been effectually
rebuked? Who is anxious about the LOYALTY
of the masses of the People to Protestant
ideas? Who believes that we are any longer
in danger of being overrun by "foreign pau.
pers and criminals ?" American Nationality
has asserted its power. We never doubted it,
and therefore saw no reason for testing it.
Professionalism has asserted its power. Ought
not both to be satis6ed2 viii they persist in
an Organization, which, through its secrecy
and extra judicial oaths, demoralizes the Peo-
pie and endangers individual freedom; through
its intolerance, aggravates the antipathies of
race and religion, and, through its narrow
dogmas in relation to citizenship and office,
violates the spirit and principles of the Decla-
ration of Independence and the Federal Con-
stitution?
Many Of you joined it, to rebuke what you
called Foreignism and Romanism. Be salts.
fed: you have accomplished your purpose.
Some of you joined it, because you saw in it
political fundamentally that might be used
for ambitious purposes. You have succeeded
be satisfied. 1t can no longer be used for such
purposes.
Many of you joined it to make it subservient
to the overthrow of the old parties, and the
furtherance of the Anti Slavery cause. Be
satisfied. 1t has accomplished all it can be
made to accomplish in this way.
Reaction has commenced, and will increase.
The American People cannot remain in vas.
salage to a secret, oath bound political assoc;.
alton. Fair-minded men are already DRAWING
off from it. AS National Party, it has no
chance Of success. The Fillmore and Donel.
son nomination will not command the electoral
vote of single State. AS q Northern Associ
alton, it has no chance of success. Acting
alone, 1t is in the minority in every State-its
only successes are achieved through co-opera.
ton with other bodies, and this cooperation
must soon cease. Powerless, the seekers for
place through its operation, will abandon it.
Meantime, its Anti-Slavery adherents are fall.
ing off every day. The idea that the Republi.
cans of the country can be rallied under its
banner, on its platform or any portion of it, in
the Presidential contest, is simply nonsensical.
Thousands upon thousands of US prefer defeat,
to such a movement. The managers of the
Order know this, and will not demand it. but
some of them propose co-operation-co-opera.
ton between the Republican Party and the
Order, as substantive, distinct bodies. This
questionable policy may prevail in certain
States, for a time, where the purpose ia. to
facilitate the ultimate fusion of the Know
Nothings with other citizens on the one issue
of Freedom, but is policy which cannot be
attempted with success in the Presidential
struggle. There is, as yet, no National Re.
publican Party; of course, there can be no co.
operation between such Party and the Know
Nothing Order. movement is in progress.
to combine all the elements of Opposition to
the Administration and the Ohgarchy that
controls it, in one body, on one issue, on one
nomination for the Presidency; and call is
made, not upon Parties, but upon the People,
the members of all Parties, agreed in such
policy, to be represented at the Philadelphia
Convention of the 18th June. In that Conven.