American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1856-01-10

cution, no mysterious and metaphysical
sentences, out is such as every one who
reads may understand, il covers every nec-
essary ground; and there is not feature in
it that could be successfully assailed before
the American people. Let this be adopt
ed, and venture TO assert it will rally a.
round it the largest, the most oyerwhelm-
ing and inyincible party that has ever
been organized in this country. Not the
least of its recommendations is, that it is a
platform proffered us by an already pow
erful and constantly Increasing party at
the North, having a common object IN
view, and one upon which every friend Of
the Union and the Constitution, North or
South, can stand, whether Wing or Demo
crat.
l have lately witnessed most mortify-
ing defeat Of tie party in this State, occa-
stoned by the bunders and bad manage
ment Of small number who took 1t in
hand, when there was not only no neces-
sity for it, but when we might have carried
it, as on my honor and conscience | believe
we could, by from twenty to thirty thou
sand votes, if other counscls could have
prevailed. l confess look with great ap-
prehenSion to another defeat on a larger
scale, unless we act with more wisdom and
discretion-with more moderation and for
bearance.
laval myself, therefore, of this occasion
TO offer these suggestions, { (Which it costs
nothing to consider as being, in my judg-
ment, the only course left us as party for
chance of success. That Philadelphia
platform must in some manner be ignored.
The South need not repudiate any princi-
pie set forth in it. We may entertain our
own convictions Of what would be right, !
but we must not deny the same right TO
others. We must rub out and begin a
gain; and if platform binding upon the
party is to be adopted, let it be by the con
vention that is TO make a nomination, and
that will be fairly and properly organized.
Do we find Southern Democrats taxing
their energies and ingenuity to drive the
Van Burens, the Kings. the WIlmots, the
Cochranes, the Fowlers, the Wcntworths,
the Flaggs, and the Red6elds, from the sup
port Of whomsoever they may nominate?
Not bit Of it! They will first secure their
votes, carry the election, and then laugh
at us for our stupidity in throwing il away
What do we care for, and what influence
, has it vi on us, that this man, or that, shall
5 think well or i'll of slavery? We are not
: asking for his opinions. his vote is what
: we want; and if he will give us that, If he
will act with us. why lei him think what
: he pleases about slavery, temperance, NOR
: ality, or religion. 1t can do US no harm'
: unless they are to be enforced and put in
G operation against us by law, and, when this
= is attempted. it will be time enough to re-
y sist it. But if we drive them from US. they
Z 90 to the other side, and rhat have we
= gained by that? So long as they confine
Q themselves to thinking and talking al home,
: let them do their own thinking, d in their
1t own way. But to say we don't want their
IS votes, for the man we desire to elect, is
j. idle end absurd. Such course Of reason
y ing may beit beardless and thoughtless
If boys, but cannot become grave and re-
h fectins men, seeking 10 establish the wei
'e fare Of the country, especially when that
s. welfare is to be destroyed by it.
'y hope you will excuse me, gentlemen
for the length of this letter. You have
a asked me to come among you, and, o.
i'll course, to counsel and advise with thu
l members ofthe party, shipped in the sam'
OF craft with me, and which. when she goe
IL down (if go down it must) will carry u
~ all down together. Please consider TIN
| as the substance in chief Of the speech
of would make if present, for would not aC
l honestly with my friends if, believing as
M, do, l were to make speech, and say less
m l have the honor to be very respectfully
be Your obedient servant,
on JOHN NJ. BOTTS.
we The following is the Platform OF the A
cal merican Legion above referred to:
IN PLATFORM OF PRINCIPLES OF THE AMERIc
ng LEGION.
SO. The members of this organization a
sly pledged: :,
yes 1st. To an unfaltering devotion 10 Il
Union of the United States, as paramou
e to every other consideration. and as indi
l pensable TO the liberty and happiness OF
ma Cd. To an earnest fidelity 10 the Co
,er- sttution of the United States, and stri
the observance of all the guarantees secured
and each section of the Union, as recognise
sec acted upon, and lived up to, for the ii
,nal thirty years of its existence.
t as Sd. 10 strict obedience 10 the Ia
'un- of the United States. and rigid entor'
,uld ment of all their provisions solorg as tn
that remain upon the statute book; and, to he
ided and forever maintain, that no governmt
had can exist without strict obedience to
ltrol own laws. That when the sanctl'y OF
'vite law is destroyed, the experiment OF f
10 u government will have proved failure
oun- 4th. To recognise the Supreme Co
nous of the United States as the common
'imi only arbter provided by the constitut
lg to for the final settlement OF all question
d FL constitutional difference between the sev
land al States or sections Of the Union.
hons 9Th. To be at all times devoted to
) set policy which aims to place al! OF our
tional and political affairs under the con
that of tose born upon the soil and reared
/, that educated under our Republican institute
+" in and which seeks and ultimate and pro
ID revision and change of the naturallza
MS us laws.
nsion Published by order oftbe American
md to gion,