196
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1855
it not brought about under the present Democratic Administra- tion-which came into power by a greater majority than any preceding one, where there was a contest? Is it now powerful? What first broke it down and built up a freesoil and abolition party against it? Was it not the Nebraska bill? Does anyone acquainted with the facts doubt it? Was not that measure concocted in the secret caucus of seven persons? It surely was. Endorsed by the President, and by his influence carried through Congress, in violation of the platform of both political parties, proclaimed at Baltimore. Had not the President given reiterated pledges that he would discourage the agitation of the slavery question in and out of Congress, and else- where? Were the pledges redeemed by him? Was not this meas- ure the first thing to renew agitation since 1850? No candid man can suppose to the contrary. It is regarded by moderate men at the North, good Democrats who always stood by the South, as a breach of good faith, and they either opposed the administration, or would not give it their support. This measure gave audible expression of disapproba- tion by many who, aided in electing the President; but there were other causes, and all united, gave rise to the American order. The selection of the President's cabinet, although it was highly unacceptable to the Democratic party, they made the effort to swallow it. General discontent was growing up in the country. This feeling was aggravated by a report that an agreement was made between a Catholic Bishop and Gen. Pierce, conditional that General Pierce was to receive the Catholic vote, and in the event of his election, a situation in his cabinet should be given to a member of the Catholic denomination. As this was published, and not denied, it was believed. Nor was this all. Foreigners were selected to fill important missions to foreign Governments, to the exclusion of distinguished American statesmen. About this time it was ascertained that an unusual number of convicts and pauvers were thrown upon our shores from European prisons and poorhouses. The belief obtained that these classes of emi- grants were thrust upon us by the policy of foreign governments who never can bear us good will as long as we remain a free and independent people. These facts, in connection with general discontent towards the administration, with threats made in Catholic newspapers and periodicals, seemed at once to arouse the people, and admonish them to prepare for the contest. The cry was .then raised by the Anti.,Americans that the object of
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