Fayetteville Observer

Opposition Speeches of 1852 & 1855.

It is a matter of deep regret that the speeches of our political orators in exciting campaigns are not more frequently reported. Much valuable political information, besides many glorious examples of consistency and adherence to principles under difficulties, are thus lost to the country; for instance, let the mind of the reader revert to the campaign of 1852, he will find a staple article of all opposition to run somewhat thus:

Abstract of Whig Speeches of 1852.

Fellow-Citizens:--Though General Pierce is almost totally unknown, there is one circumstance connected with his history which should condemn him forever in your estimation. I allude to the significant fact that he lives in New Hampshire, and in that State no Catholic is allowed to hold an office. The monstrosity of this regulation in a republican country, where the rights of conscience should be freely enjoyed by all, is frightful! And the mere fact that General Pierce lives in a State with such a constitution, and that he has failed to change it in that particular, should of itself arouse against him the bitter indignation of the country.

On the other hand, look at the gallant Scott. He is above all such unworthy prejudices, and the fact that his wife is a member of that unjustly proscribed sect, and that his daughter has been placed in a convent, abundantly proves this; and if further proof is required, I need only refer to the fact that on his election tours he goes to the Catholic church wherever he finds one open. [Cheers.] But he is more: he is the devoted friend of the foreigner, whether of the Catholic or Protestant faith.

In the splendid pictorial history of his life, recently issued by the pious Greely, you will find set forth at length how bravely he defended the poor Irishman who were taken prisoners with him by the British on the Canadian frontiers, and the whole country has read with the deepest interest those eloquent speeches he delivered in Ohio, where he has so feelingly and appropriately expressed his admiration of the rich Irish brogue and the sweet German accent. [Cheers.] Vote, then, for Scott; the friend of the foreigner, the friend of the Catholic! Down with Pierce, the advocate of the odious test in the New Hampshire constitution which prevents our patriotic and well beloved Catholic citizens from holding any office whatever, and let us march on to triumph under the great banner of republican equality, recognizing in every foreigner a brother!--- Three cheers from the whig meeting.]

The speech from the same orator to the same audience in 1855 would run about as follows:

Sketch of Opposition Speeches, 1855.

Fellow-Citizens: The great question which rises far above all others in importance is, whether Americans shall rule America, and whether we shall be brought under the dominion of the Pope. I hold that it is dangerous to intrust any Catholics with any office whatever. [Cheers.] And that no foreigner should be appointed or elected to any public station. [Cheers.] The democratic party is made up almost entirely of foreign material; and everybody that wants to express his hostility to foreign influence must commence operations by defeating the democratic ticket. The democrats are the only friends of the foreigners; if we defeat and drive that party from power, they will have no friend left to advocate their cause, and we can pass just such laws in regard to them as we choose. We can deprive them of all chance of political promotion; we can take from them the rights of suffrage; and finally build a wall round the nation and be as exclusive as that pattern nation, Japan, where no foreigner has been allowed to settle for centuries--where Japanese only are allowed to rule Japan--where stray foreigners are caged as curiosities--and where, under native rule, one of the most delightful and orderly systems of despotism the world ever saw has long been successfully established.

The whole secret of our future prosperity hinges on one point. If we stand firmly by our native born citizen, and war against the foreigners, all will be well; if not, we shall all be chained to the car of Popery, and be completely under the dominion of foreign influence. A native born fool and tyrant would make a better officer than an intelligent and liberal foreigner, no matter how long he has been living in the country. [Cheers.] A Lafayette or a Kosciusko would not bear comparison for a moment with the bright light of wisdom, of virtue, and patriotism who received the senatorial caucus nomination of our worthy legislators! [Cheers.] Keep the great ball of American principles rolling on, and let your watch-word be--every foreigner is a foe, and every Catholic is a deadly enemy! [Cheers.] Forget that all your ancestors came from a foreign country, (many of them as criminals and paupers;) such reminiscences are disagreeable; but rather imitate the example of the aspiring youth, who, when fortune smiled upon him, cut the acquaintance of his mother, who disgraced herself by being a washer-woman. [Cheers.] Forget that foreigners and Catholics have shared with us all the dangers and trials of our national existence. It is folly to think of paying old debts when you can evade them. [Cheers.] But roll yourself up in the glorious folds of the Star-spangled Banner, proudly mount upon the pinions of the American Eagle, and with the Goddess of Liberty to act as pioneer, soar proudly up to that pinnacle of national prosperity where every member of the know nothing order will be a freeman, and every foreigner or Catholic a slave!-- [Cheers.]