The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-02-23
For the Courier.



1t is undoubtedly true that in the State of
Iowa there are many persons, who having
belonged to the American or Know. Nothing
organization whilst it existed as political
party, still retain the principles of that par
ty, now that it no longer exists, and who yet
decline an alliance with either of the great
parties which now confront each other on the
leading issues of the day. 1t may well be
questioned how far it is politic thus to keep
aloof, and throw away the high privilege of
the franchise. The shrewd observer will see
that there is not the remotest chance or hope
for future success on the "American" ticket
and the true philosophy of life says, "if to
accomplish ALL we desire is impossible, let
us at least DO what remains in our power.''
Acting upon this principle, what is the duty
of those "Americans" who have, as yet, form
ed no other political alliance?
The two great parties which now divide
the country and invite our support, are the
Democratic and Republican. Before COM
mitting ourselves to either of these parties
we must ask ourselves, are either of them
more favorable or less hostile to our cherish
ed principles than the other? Let us first
test che claims of Democracy. Our party
first rose into importance from the notorious
fact that in many parts of our country the
elections were carried by illegal alien votes
and further fact became equally notorious,
which is, that when the relative numbers of
native born citizens approached anything
like equality, foreign vote of about GOO, 900,
directed by an European Potentate, was hurl-
ed in one solid mass upon our ballot boxes !:
the Pope of Rome thereby holding the bal
ance of power, and virtually welding the
destinies of our republic.
When Roman Catholic in our courts alb
jures his allegiance to all foreign princes,
&c, we have not she poor guarantee that he
attaches any sacredness to the oath he has
taken-individually, he is not to blame for
that-his religion teaches him that the Pro-
testant Bible is 'heresy," the owork of the
devil" The statutory penalties against per-
jury are our only security for the legality OF
this class Of votes. That security even is
frail indeed, for our past experience has
shown how powerless is the law to punish
electoral frauls. E@ @
1t is needless to ask what party has profit
ed by this state Of things The class of vo
ters to which 1 have referred, and against
whose notorious subserviency to the man.
dates of their church. our order directed
their heaviest blows, have always cast their
votes solid for Democracy. Yes, it is true.
the bahot-box the very hearts core iof our
free institutions, has been invaded, and the
proceeds of the wrong has Injured to Democ-
racy. .......... ......... ....s
On the other hand, we find in several
States the Republican party have enacted
stringent registry laws; and although those
laws cannot annul the dictum from Rome,
yet they can prevent, and have prevented a
vast amount of shameful corruption. The
wholesome effects of these registry laws are
especially noticeable in our sister State of
Minnesota, which has by an immense major
ity reversed her political balance, entirely
through the agency of the Republican regis
try law.
Two things prominently claim our notice
1st. 1t is not known to us that the Demo
cratic party has in any State initiated OF
passed any registry law for the protection of
the ballot-box.
I'd. The Democracy has uniformly opposed
the passage Of those laws, the only poor in.
stallment we, as Know Nothings, are likely
get in payment of our large demands.
Under these circumstances, our duty is toe
plain to admit of doubt. As our order has
gone down in Iowa, we must look around for
new political connection; and in looking
at the two great parties now in the field, we
perceive that whilst Democracy AS 1T Is NOW
TAUGHT, has scarcely one sentiment in COM
mon with US no unpolluted hand to offer us
the Republican party has at least some
ground on which we can meet without dis.
honor, and some principles in their creed
which any man might feel proud to main.
tain. With them cast my future lot.
AMERICANUS.