Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-05-20
COMMUNICATED.
READ! READ! I!

Smith O'Briea rs. GorerHOr Smith,
The following remarks were delivered by
Smith O'Brien, the Irish Patriot, in Boston,
at a recent reception given him there:
.Now must tell you frankly, at the same time
that in the United States l have been frequently
told by my countrymen-and if there are any here
who are opposed to the immigration OF foreigners,
am not sorry that they should have an opportu
nifty to hear what sm about to say On the present
occasion. have been told in various parts Of the
United States that their happiness IN this country
1T one period, about three or four years ago, was
Ysry considerably diminished by the prevalence oi
a spirS hostile TO the introduction Of foreigners;
and in fact, in some remarkable instances learn
cd that men who had lived i'll this country for mp
wards of forty years, expressed determination to
leave the country in consequence OF the preva-
lance of the Know Nothing spirit, which at that
time prevailed. I.regret to say that in some
localities have found traces of continuance OF
that spirit, and IL has been TO me source OF the
greatest gref-grief to me not only a. friend OF
my own race alone, but Ms friend-for such SIN
cersly am--of the people Of the United States.
(Chssrs.) Because / feel perfectly assured that
the prevalence Of such a sentiment 10 as equally
pernicious the people of the United States it
Is to the foreign population of this country
Upon all other questions Of American politics,
am neutral, but upon this question of know
Nothingism, am not neutral believing it equally
disastrous to the United States, and to the adop
ted population of this country"
The following is portion of letter from
one of Gov. Smiths own witnesses, q. ID.
GRAY, addressed to Mr.. H. Shackelford, with
the endorsement of Philip Z. Slaughter:
..Gov Smith, in 1855, did, both in conversations
with me, and on the stump, advance some OF the
strongest arguments, in my opinion, that heard
advanced by any one i'll favor of Know Nothing
principles, and did more by his speeches and his
influence in my opinion to build up and strengthen
the Know Nothing party in this District than any
other man in it, and one of the reasons why was
opposed To running any candidate against him in
this District and why | was unwilling myself to
accept the nomination of the Know Nothing Con
yention for Congress-, in opposition to Gov. smith,
was that | believed that Gov. Smith, both in the
canvass and in Congress- would render more effl'
cent service 10 the Know Nothing party, than any
member of the order l believed then, that he
fully agreed with the Know Nothing party in all
their principles, and would carry them out, II
elected.
Mr.. Smith has frequently stated to me- that the
Know Nothings did not 60 far enough. and that
he was in favor of total repeal OF the natursl'-
cation laws. Yours, truly. g. ID. GRAY.
Gov Smith has stated tho same thing to me,
about the repeal of the naturalization laws.
PHILIP c. SLAUGHTER"
After reading the above extracts. no one
can fail to perceive that Gov. Smith occu-
pies ground adverse to the faith and princi-
Piles Of the Democratic party. and that those
rho IRISH to maintain tie purity Of the party,
cannot in the present canvass hesitate as to
their choice between him, and the true and
tried Democrat. Henry Shackelford, esq.
A DEMOCRAT.