The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-03-06

The KNow-NoTHING PLANK.-As the late
Opposition Convention at Raleigh composed
of those who did not and those who did join the
know-nothing party, it was necessary to wedge
planks in to suit both parties. Here is the know.
nothing plank:
"They 1.-THE democrats have encouraged foreign emf
grafton without reference 20 character class-and
when landed our shores, they have openly courted
foreign refugees criminals and paupers and marshalled
them into their party RANKS to be conducted to the bal
lot box contrary to the laws of the land, to stfe the
voice of American citizens and rob them of their dear
est brthright."
This is REPETITION of the declarations of the
know-nothing party of 1855. So far counting
the foreign is concerned, the opposition party
wings and know nothings, have done about as
much in that way as the democratic party. They
were loud-mouthed in their proclamations against
foreigners ruling America, pauperism, &C., but
when the time for voting came, they (the great
K n opposition) were very anxious to get the for
eign vote, paupers, refugees, and all Gen. Scott,
the opposition candidate for President, made bid
for the votes of foreigners. These things part
of the history Of the times. Talk about sitting
the voice of American citizens let the opposition
reform in this respect then it will be time enough
We suppose the above was put in the platform
to tickle the fancy of ''third degree members of
the Convention, such as Rayner, Dockery, and
others. But here follows another resolution of
the same platform, intended to pacfy foreigners
and those who never joined "the order:
"The rights of American citizens, whether native
naturazed, should be protected from aggression, and
the national honor preserved, by fulfilling all our obli
thar and nv dam and
enforcing fulfllment of theirs to u.s."
"Whether native or naturalized" is put in as
crumb to foreigners, though in the preceding reso-
luton the democratic party is accused Of counting
the foreign vote. Democratic Administrations
have ever protected the rights of all the citizens o
this country, and the democratic party protected
the rights of naturalized citizens by putting down
the know-nothing party. &c. also, have democra-
tic Administrations preserved our national honor
by forcing other Governments to fulfill their obi
cations to In doing so, however, they have
been opposed by this same Opposition party. Who
opposed the Mexican war? who abused President
Polk for maintaining the national honor at that
time? This very same opposition party which met
in Raleigh on the 22d of Feb'y. Who passed the
odious and disgraceful preamble and resolutions
in the Legislature of North Carolina, denouncing
the Mexican war? This same opposition party.
Who voted in Congress to withhold supplies from
the American army in Mexico? This same oppo-
sition party. Who is it that always raises great
hue and cry against the democratic party and tell
the people that a democratic administration is
going to ruin the country With war, whenever seek
ing redress for grievances from foreign nations is
talked abouE This sane opposition party. And
yet this same party now talks about preserving
"national honor" We hope they will do better
hereafter than they have done heretofore
We publish the whole platform in another col
umn, and shall take occasion to examine and dis
cuss it hereafter. 1t contains many statements and
nsinuations unsustaned by facts.