Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-11-02
The Appeal OF ExsGOv. wIae to Natural-


torres
And there is especially one class of my follow
citizens, by whom, at least have an earnest ana |
abiding confidence, my appeal will not remain un- /
Needed mean those for whose protection threw |
all nv energies and endurance of mind and body |
into the heat of contest and W no rushed gallant
w, so unanimously to my aid in 1855. mean my |
naturalzed fellow countrymen, and my iellow-cltl-
zens of the Catholic faith. To them this doctrine OF
legal protection against lawess invasion, is douDiy
precious They, too have peculiar interest in the
fate and fortune of the Democratic party, and es-
peeially of the Virginia Democracy. In the DARK
hour Of common peril, when their most precious
rights their religious and civil rights were imper-
lied full protection, safe and sure defence was
found in the mistaken courage and integrity the
cheering war cry. the glorious triumph OF the VIZ
GINA Democracy II was who won the triumph
The Democracy of Virginia achieved the victory
the Virginia Democracy that more than maceuon
ian p!ialanx-a band Of brother Democrats, native
and naturazed. Catholic and Protestant, standing
shoulder to shoulder, and pressing onward ever on
ward together through all the heat and burden OF
the strife was its nouth-piece merely IFS trump
eter. But, mere mOuth-piece, merely trumpeter, as
| was, thank God for Il did hight gooa nghI
INCREASINGLY blew the blast which rallied the most
again and again to the charge til. at last, when
strength had nearly failed me, your shout OF tn
umph woke every failing energy TO sound TO every
anxious ear intenty listening throughout the length
and breadth of this whole empire OF freedom to
sound it full and clear-V irglnia's bugie note OF
victory its'
Fellow-citizens Catholic and naturalized if won
nothing else in that contest, trust, sincerely be-
lieve that did win the guerdon of your affection
and esteem-of your sympathy with me and NINE
of your firm confidence in my integrity OF purpose
and fidelity to the protection of your dearest rights
and most precious interests. Of this have had
proofs so frequent and gratifying that 1t would
be an aectation of Indifference, well as Of ignor
ance, for me to pretend Inconsistencies IH the
name then, OF the reciprocal sympathy and the
e IL. ! horr most
attention to few words of honest counsel and genu-
inc entreaty.
We are in the midst of another crisis, as dark and
as threatening as that of 1855. Then 1t was your
rights of conscience and of franchise which were
especially menaced. Now, it is nay right of slave
property, and in many instances yours, which IS
particularly endangered. And even as protected
my own rights by defending yours, in 1905 so IN
protecting my rights now, you Will defend your own
rights and interest, your dignity and honor DO not
misunderstood me. | have no fear that You Will
cast your votes for the fanatic, Abraham Lincoln,
OF the federalist and Know-Nothing John Bell
| know that you will choose between John Z.
Breckenridge and Stephen a. Douglas. 1t IS on the
subject of this choice that would consult with you
| 4 know that many CT you entertain an earnest
sympathy for Douglas on account of his opposition
to Know Nothngism in 1855 and 1856. will be
the last man object to this sentiment and 1t IS but
Just to Mr. Douglas to say that his sympathy IS not
mistaken on its object. lie did his part then man
But the same Justice il due to Mr.. Breekinridge
Some time since friend of mine, naturalized CIT
| izen addressed me letter through the newspapers
| intimating doubt on this matter, 10 which now
take occasion to reply. can bear personal testlmo
! nv, that in the warmest moment OF the contest OF
1855. Mr. Breckenridge stood literally by my side
earnest as was in opposition to all the professions
practices and tendencies of Know NOthingsm
| When | addressed a crowded audience at Wheel
| ing partly composed of a KnowNothing mob of the
Ill, of Thought 1
sary to place a strong guard of cOnstables in the
| building and warned me that there was danger OF
attempting violence. Fer myself | had no fear,
| was not afraid to face Know-NOthings uRdef any
circumstances While was speaking, there stood
on one side creature of brutal aspect wearing a
dress made of the skins OF footed beasts and shag
gy beard reaching below his waist This man ap
propriately named Wolf" had been formerly a
preacher of the Gospel by profession-was then an
aynNed infidel and know-Nothing. There he stood
| on oafish wolf and wOlfsh oaf-the best imper
sonation of "Sam" l met with during the whole
campaign
On the other side, giving me countenance, and
ready to aid in the contest, stood John u Breck
| inridge. So soon as | ceased speaking. Mr.. Brock
inridge was called for, and arose. but was sencet
by Know Nothing cries for "WolfP'-'Wolf p
..Wolf!' Mr. Breckenridge was unable to wait il
out. The steamboat was waiting to carry US both
down the river. So we were Obliged TO quit the nal
| together leaving "WOlfsh Sam" in complete posses
sion had then an opportunity for conference will
Mr. Breekinridge, and learned his views from HI;
own lips. Thus you see, can bear direct personal
testimony as to the position of John Q. Breckenridge
in lS55-fOr he stood by my side
So far then. the contest of 1888 IS concerned
Mr.. Breckenridge and Mr.. Douglas have equal claim:
to your sympathy and support
As to the indecorous beast made by some of Mr.
Douglas supporters that the fact of his wites be
ing professor of the Catholic faith, will secure fol
him the Catholic vote viii not pause To consider
it. 1t would be an insult TO the members OF tina
| church. TO believe that any respectable number o.
its communicates have adopted the Know Nothing
practice Of making mans religious profession. OF
the religious fal:h Of his household, test of politi
cal support.
In 1855, Mr. Breckenridge and Mr.. Douglas pos
sessed equal claims to the support of naturalizeC
citizens Now Mr.. Breckenridge possesses claim
to such support. far superior 10 tnat when MI
Douglas can boast .as
Protection of equal privileges should be precious
10 natrralized and Catholic citizens. They need de
tense at home and abroad, in their equality Of cIvi
and religious freedom. Mr.. Breckenridge stand
upon the avowed platform of protection to clvi
| equality. Nr. Douglas is the stump advocate OF
policy of sectional aggression-of a fanatieal anti
slavery spirit which first organized Know Nothing
ism itself for anti-savery purposes.
Again. Hitherto adopted and Catholic citizen
have found their chief palladium Of protection il
the Democratic party. Mr.. Douglas is now distract
ing and dividing that party. and, as far as he can
contributing to his defeat The same charge canno
! be Justly directed against Nr. BlccKlnrluge hncr
| ever Mr.. Breckenridge divides a minority from tn
main body of the Democracy in any State, it is in
State where the united Democracy are powerles
| against an overwhelming Black Republican MAORI
ty. What matters it practically in this contes
whether the Democracy are divided or united Il
| Massachusetts, or Vermont, IN Connecticut or ONO
! In any event, the electoral vote of such States
sure for Black Repubicanism. But Mr.. Douglas j
dividing and dstractng Democratic maJorltes II
| Democratic States. whose electoral Vote would nov
be secured peradventure to a Democratic ticket, bu
for his interference. He and his supporters know
that he cannot in any event, carry for himself tn
Southern Democratic States in which he is permit
ting his name to be used, only to encourage Blacl
Republicanism by possible Democratic defeat, to b
secured, if possible. by giving electoral votes 10
Know Nothing candidate for the Presidency.
! Again. Mr.. Douglas, like Mr. Lincoln is tie adyo
cate of policy injurious to the property of slave
holders and to the dignity and equality OF Souther
States Fellow citizens, naturallzed and Cathollc
, are you Shareholders? If you are, remember tina
Mr. Douglas is assailing your right OF property
Are you Virginians? Then Mr.. Douglas Is sssallln
s the sovereign rights of your State And If Their
are any here present, who neither Virgnians o
Shareholders still to them have appeal to make
| am a Virgnian and a STAKEHOLDER. When you
rights of conscience and of franchise were assaulted
freely lent all my efforts to your protection: NJ
rights of property, my social safety, my polltica
rights in the Union, my moral rights, my selt-re
: spect all are now assailed, and ask your aid TO
my protection.