Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1857-07-14
ADDREss

ticket. Associated as we are IN A coulpn
bond Of sympathy, bonnd together BY oomncn
principles, and a common Understanding as
we do an equal measure Of responsibility.
assumed By our party in the sdministFatlon Of
national affairs, II requires but a moinantis re-
6ection 10 Prepare US for a faithful discharge
Of duty in the pending canvass.
The Democratic party almost frou the
foundation Of the government, has had its
peculiar and distinctive features, thai ID has
vigilantly retained, and which have Won for It
the confidence Of the American people. thur
principles and policy have shaped the actish
Of the government through the greater rortitn
Of it's political existence, and 70 The conduct
aud actions OF that party 10 the past, all can
proudly point in proof OF the patriotism OF It,
N olives and the wisdom Of its councils. IL
has been Under Democratic rule that our terri
tory was extended from the backs Of the Mis-
sissippi 70 the shores Of the Pacific, thus pro-
vidiRg homes for unborn generations that viii
rise up in the future to bless the names and
memories Of those who had labored for their
good. The same party has shaped our varied
and delicate relations with foreign powers. 1t
has opened up avenues 10 the genius and enter
prise Of our people in every quarter OF the
globe. II has assumed the high responsibili-
ties Of peace or wsr with o'her nations, and
directed the operations Of our army and navy
amidst the sanguinary strifes that sometimes
resulted from its decisions. The passing Of
laws, which are the shield and protection Of the
citizen the making Of treaties that constitute
his passport in distant lands the founding Of
new States, that, from time 10 time, have been
added 10 our Union the regulation and dis
bursement Of the public revenues; IN a word,
the varied and diversified demands Of an ex-
tended aud progressive country, have with
slight exceptions. been confded 10 the Demo-
cratic party, BY the well considered decisions
Of the American people. To appreciate,
therefore, the importance Of its future sscen-
daney, to the happiness aud welfare OF the
country, we have only to look to the blessings
that have attended its laboTs in the past. Ihe
Democrat that eontemplates the eventful his
tory OF bis country, must always feel a con-
scious pride in the reflection, that be is at the
sam time taking in no small degree a retro
spect Of the history OF bis own party.
Nor has that party, as the chosen custodian
OF a nations walfare, performed its duties
without hard trials and vexatious opposition.
The Federalist party, strong and powerful in
its day, sought, with diligence, the overthrow
OF a Jefferson and a Madison but it failed to
prevent the Inauguration Of correct principles +;
failed 10 defeat the acquisition OF the great
Mississippi Valley, or to unnerve a nation's
arm that was drawn 10 defend the freedom Of
the seas. This party Of opposition fell before
the indignant Tebuke Of an outraged public sen
timent, and it's scattered and disbanded forces
were ltiL IItt 70 organize as Dtdk A4tI COAAu
under other names, and upon other issues.
We will not recount the various combina-
lions that have arisen to oppose the Democra-
cy. Their names will doubtless be recorded BIZ
the fahhful chronicler Of history, as having had
their day, and passed of, like other failures,
so common to the plans and devices Of human
ity.
The Wing party grew out Of the stirring
questions that originated during the admins
I frasa,n ,EDra-fAavA Ta.N-.,- IA -, ~, & -.
by men Of sxalted talents, undoubted patriot
ism, and ardent zeal-this party maintained,
for a time, a well balanced contest-occasion-
al success inspired its hopes, and increased its
energies, but as in every other, so in this stTug-
gle, the Democracy finally triumphed, and was
retained as the tried and faithful administration
of the nations interest. The contest Of 1852
forms the closing incident in this memorable
struggle. The Wing party, that 50 long and
CALAMITY contested the supremacy, disappeared
from the theatre Of political action-its forces
having been deeoyed of, to a great extent,a and it's
position sought 10 be assumed by another or
ganization, actuated and controlled by princi-
pies and modes Of warfare, before unknown in
political contests.
This new organization embraced, TO some
extent, men Of all parties and shades Of opin-
ion, but with an undue prepondersnce Of dis
satisfied and disappointed asyeutureTs, that
sought to redress Individual grievances, or to
attain political ends, which hey could not ae-
complish under other and mlrs legitimate or
CARNATIONS.
The Know-Nothing party, Cfor it is to this
we refer,) seems in its brief, but singular ca
Ieer, to have set at defiance all accredited ex-
amples of the past-all the calculations Of po-
litical philosophy, and, in fact, every rule and
principle that should govern parties, united for
salutaTy purposes, and seeking the interests Of
a government that they sought to control. 1t
was born IN secrecy, under the cover Of dark
ness, and nursed amidst the repetition Of a ar
gon Of Oatbs and obligations, sign and pass
words, that derived no countenance from the
teachings Of Revelation, the Constitution
Of the country, or the preeepts and examples
Of the good and the great, who have illustrated
and adorned our history. II was the peculiar
Office Of this remarkable organization, to make
war upon and denOuDce the unfortunate exile,
who, forced to leave bis father land, had asked
an asylum and a home in that country which
foreigners had so nobly helped to defend in
the days Of its weakness and its trials The
practices and precepts Of a Washington and a
Jefferson, Of Jackson and a Clay, were alike
condemned as unworthy the imitation Of a new
hsdged patriotism, that sought TO signalizs it.
self, and attain the seats Of power By stepping
over, and trampling upon the pleading victims
Of poverty and oppression. Nor didthis party
stop here. The broad mantle Of protection,
which the Constitution throws equally over
every church, sect, and creed, was rudely at
tempted to be thrown aside. and in . period Of
profound quiet anc prosperity, the ears Of the
people were saiutsd with the startling cry, that
the country was IN danger, the very govern
ment itself n jeopardy from =. Catholic infu-
eaee." In dagger, too, when it was notorious
that not a single Catholic could be found
occupying the executive Office Of a State in the
Union, and scarcely one holding a position in
the halls Of legislation, either FEDERAL or State.
Nor was the attempted outrage upon Con-
stitutionai rights (sealed as it was BY the So
Iemnity of midnight obligations) more remark
able for its want Of reasonable pretext, than
for the strange combination OF, characters that
composed the army of the faithful, in its Quix-
otto enterprise against the Pope of Rome, and
It's uneOveted and ofieious defense Of the Evan
gelical churches. There was 10 be found in the
conclaves Of know-Nothingism the misguided
but honest hearted layman, who had forgotten
his faith, amidst the fancied dangers Of his
church-too often led on BY the ARpant of
the sacred desk, who in an hour dNseakness.
had madly exchanged tie sword Of the spirit.
for the dripping blade Of bigotry and perseeu-
ton. There too was the plotting politician
the scofing inhdel-the p~rofane sWearer, and
other nameless devOtees OF vice, an bowed
around a common altar, receiving the same I'M
sanetihsd oaths, binding them to the unholy
and unconstitutional purposes OF making war
upon naturalized citizens. because Of their birth
place, and DISTINGUISHING native born American
citizens because Of their r~eligioni No wonder
that the cause Of truth suffered BY such contact
as this No wonder that Professionalism stag
gered in the embraces Of Known othingism, and
that its brightest giories were obscured by the
poisonous influence that was exhaled from the
hiding places Of men, who sought to bend the
cause OF God to the accomplishment Of their
own earthborn and selfish purposesl
But this strange outbreak OF political fanati- !
eism has not failed to leave it's mark upon our
political, social and christian relations. Pow
erless for good it is true, but its evil effects
will be felt when the organization, with its sup
porters, shall be numbered with the things and
persons Of the past.
1t succeeded in destroying the Wing party,
which, whatever may have been its errors, pos
sessed to a considerable extent an oder Of ma
tionality, that made it respectable, and a high
toned chivalry and manliness of bearing, that
rendered its Issues bravely 10 the public iudg-
ment and struck its blows in the open day.
This organization destroyed that great and
national opponent OF Democracy, whose almost
chieftain was best known in distant
as the peerless defender of the oppressed
foreigner, and at home was distinguished for
his expansive views and decided adherence of
everything that savored OF religious bigotry.
bANl "a u AAoN-NukuAlZ uteIION the /
Wing party, without holding a principle that
would enable It to supply its place in the
heart, but it gave the finishing blow
% this political iniouity, by solemnly resolving
n its national council that this old party had
become corrupt, and was unworthy OF conf !
An insult which never did or could
lave emansted from that party which was the
and most CONSTANT but most msgnani-
nous OF Wing rivals.
This present party has been eminently sue !
,essful in destroying ronhdence between man !
md man and scattering the seeds Of dissension Z
nd strife among christian communities, that 7
lad lived in fellowship, aud been bound togeth- :
Z BY the great law Of christian love.
It has been fruitful in the dennnciation Of I
and Catholic Orders, while at the y
anne time it OrsaIized ifseif into q secret .
lEcer Of political Jesuits, whose principles Of .
elton would have put to shame the brightest z
exceptions Of Igaatius Loyola himselfSseek- I
lg, as it did, a more ungenerous advantage q
I others under the veil OF secrecy, than was Z
yer contemplated by a misguided priesthood, 2
hose worst EXAMPLES IL followed but uhoae q