Excerpt from Democracy Versus Know-Nothingism and Republicanism

The courtesy extended me by you whilst in conversation on politics a few evenings past, induces the hope you will pardon my present intrusion, whilst I recur to the subject, and place before you in as concise a manner as possible, my present political position, and as I hope such will be in a few brief months, In doing so I shall endeavor to keep myself within due limits, and if perchance any expression of mine may appear harsh or insulting, I hope you will believe me when I before-hand assure you that such is not intentional. Premising thus, I will remind you of having been informed by you, of one being connected with that class of politicians known as Republicans commonly called Black Republicans, and the other to the political organization known as Americans, but better known under the soubriquet of Know N othings. It was evident to to me that although not agreeing yourselves in political Opinions, yet both seemed desirous I should not when the proper period arrived connect myself with that political party, to which both on principles I presume are opposed and which is known as the Loco Foco, or Democratic.

I shall in the first place take up the Republican party and state my objections to its principles, secondly, my objections to the so called flmerican, and lastly, give my reasons for adhesion to the Democratic. But before going into parties you will allow me to remind you of my not being yet an American Citizen, but having declared my intention, hope soon to claim that proud title. Whilst living under Monarchical institutions, I felt their grinding oppres sion as one of the masses, and knew through sad experience that the government was carried on not for the benefit of the people, but for a class forming in itself a vast minority of the nation. That this favored class, having all power, such was invariably used for its own benefit and aggrandizement, and to the debasement and degradation of the majority. Those are patent facts, which require no further confirmation than the amount of immigration to those shores from the monarchical countries of the old world; of men who hope to find here a resting place and refuge from dire wrong, unmerited suffering, and down-right tyranny, here at least we fondly hoped we might have peace, and here also, where alone on earth liberty had been proclaimed we expected to taste its sweets in security, and give in return for the great and incomprehensible boon, our industry, energies, talents, and if necessary our lives.

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