Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1856-05-31
REASONS WHY OLD-TINB yvHIGs
CANNOT ACT EyITE TEIG KNOW
NNTi!!ECS.

! The following extract is froln y series Of ex-
cesding!y-wcN written articles in the Nashville
| (Tennessee) Union, in which an old line whg
of that State discusses the course proper TO lie
taken by the old-line wings in the pending
presidential contest. From the concluding
number of the series we extract the following
conclusive reasons against cooperation with
the know -nolhngs:
In the northern States wllers abolitionisrn finds
its only adhcrsnts it is confcssedly true that its only
| antagonist is the national Democratic party The
! American or krow-uothing party is rs thoroughly
oboi,ionzed in the tree States the JIacI, rcpaLli-
| themselves In proof of this fact I need only
addnce the unanimity with which, in the election
for Speaker, they united Banks in the undisguis-
ed spirit .f aggression upon southern rights which
sgnalized the proceedings of their national conYea-
ton at Philadelphia, and tbeyond the limits of
| Philadelphia and New Yoril) the universal demon
! sration of alb ition proclivties among the adhc-
rents and supporters ofthat party. Old wings, who
are guided by the great conservative and national
principles which they have always claimed TO be the
distinctive characteristics of their party cannot sup
port tie candidates of the know.nothing or Am cri
can party:-
"lst. Because by voting for Fillmore and Donel-
they divide the strength of the national forces
which should be arrsyed in solid coluG aainst The
black republicans
"2d Because the know-nothing candidates cen
only be elected by attracting TO their support the
abolition Americans of the North, and therefore the
success Of that ticket would be virtually defeat of
the national party and triumph ofaholitiouism.
" Sd. Because the measures and principles of the
know-notliing party directly in comficr with the
fundamental doctrines office government, and with
that freedom of consssnse in questions ofreligious
faith which is the Inheritance bequeathed to
us by our republican ancestors.
"4th. Because secret political societies the mem
bcrs Of which are bouud together by solemn oaths
are immoral in their tendency, dangerous to liberty
inconsistent with the spirit of repubicanism, and
unnecessary in free country, where every citizen
has right 20 express his opinions upon political
subjects without let or lindraucc.
9Th. Because all their political principles and
practices are With the principles and practices
Of the Yshig party, which they repudiate and con-
denim.
9th. Because true wligS cannot, in tae exercise
ola proper degree Of scfrespec support the caBdi-
dates of party the members of which, under the
solemnities ofoaths have virtually found themselves
~ eIC1uos a9t tSS w NO nave not tahell upon tHst-
selves similar opths from the honoTsnnd enAeluments
of Office in the republic.
q These iuauperablo objections to union of old
line wings with the American or know-nO,hing
party conceded, have onysone oftwo alternatives
either TO remain inactive spectators of the con
fict between the sectional abolition party of tho
North, aud the national democratic party of the
Union or TO assume position in which our influence
5shieit is tnenaced As wings. we owe noaiiegiance
TO any party, and least all 10 thato which, by
its detection, accompl the of orr
party, and whose leaders Flclsls beg 70 be re-
leased from their portion Of @ the
country for What they teFsnltt dtncxiols acts ard
q TINS eurA letter from Hssyana
sHJ
The tabssco crop tits yen is terry iine ana
colpsnasld ~ taos a5nlcus prees for tie superior
qualities eqaeres Ore delighted at the change,
and seem wilug on IN occasions to be begged and
sejolsd beforetbey viii ss'l Our people pay deer