The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1871-08-31
Democrats and Germans in
League.

League.
Editor of Democratic Statesman.
Let US call attention to the follow
ing, in the Texas Democratic Plat
form:
Z. Resolued, That immigration of the white
races from all quarters of the world be en-
couraged, and there should be no unreason-
able impediments or delay to naturalization
and citizenship, the Democratic party having
been uniformly in favor of liberal policy
towards persons of foreign birth, who in good
faith seek home amohg US.
The Constitution of the United
States was framed under purely Dem
ocratic principles. 1t gave the right
of freedom of speech, of religion, and
established the newborn nation as
home for the oppressed of every land.
'No religious test shall ever be re-
quired for Office" wrote the worthy
patriots in this, the sacred bond of
the nation, and when the Republic of
Texas doomed into existence a con-
stitutional check was at once put upon
exclusive religious privileges. The
old established rights of the Roman
Catholic Church, acknowledged I'M
der the Mexican law, were superseded
by the more enlightened doctrines of
the Democratic conquerors, and to-
day, throughout the broad expanse
of our land, every religious denomi-
nation enjoys perfect freedom in ex-
erciSing and promulgating its peculiar
doctrines.
Under long Democratic admins.
tration, the nation thrived, growing
andspreading in its dominion through
its various stages of progression and
acquisition EMBEDDING within its en-
pire and under its protection, Florida,
Louisiana, the great valley of the
Mississippi, Texas and the other
treasured jewels of the Mexican dia-
dem, until its confines rested upon
the north, the south, the east and the
west of this great Continent. Every
where, throughout its vast expanse,
freedom of speech and religion was
declared, and a new world, teeming
with beauties, treasure, hidden wealth
and glorious climates was offered to
the poor, crowded and oppressed
people of foreign despotisms. They
we're provided, as they flowed into
our borders, with homes and lands,
and with their industry they became
rich and happy.
In bygone days, the Democrats
and Wings opposed each other a;
political parties striving for the mas.
terry, but owing to the more generou;
and popular measures of the first the
latter fell into a minority, and, des
perate for power, it dropped its time
worn name and waged war upon the
Democratic party under new one
and with new principles. The Wing
party looked with jealous fear upon
the rapidly increasing power of their
old political foe. Under Democratic
rule the rights of the foreigner were
protected, and hence they increased
until they began to appear as a pow.
erful weight in the political balance.
To gain power, the opposition to the
Democracy concluded to make one Of
the boldest strokes which has ever
been attempted in our political his
tory-a stroke at constitutional
rights. Their organization was secret
and its members were sworn by an
oath to the firm support of its politi
cal principles.
The Democrats triumphed in the
election of Pierce over Scott, and
frantic from successive defeats, the
opposing party dropped its name
resorted to the secret organization
referred to, and commenced wagine
a war upon the Democratic party
under the name of Know Nothingism
Its policy was to take from
foreigners their political and ever
religious rights, and by doing so stoI