The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-09-06

ing, and Perry. Mr. Richie, the present member from
that district had declined denomination account Of
ill health
KNOw-NOTHINGS ~. CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS LIB
ERTY.
The purposes and progress of tho secret society Of
know-nothngs" have attained point of nooriey that
demands the serious attention of the and the firm
sistance of every faithful friend of our government AZ it
came from the hands of the patriots and OF the rsvo-
luton and exists under the protection and sanction
of the constitution from its adoption to the present time
Our government had its origin with pure and ~ wise
band Of patriots met in council and though
they had speculate upon the great problem of mans
pabty of selfgovernmen they moulded form Of polity
that been tested by the experience of nearly three
tiers century with that has never been equaed
for the of prosperity and the blessings it has
ferred on
1t has achieved everything that the great end Of good
government contempates 1t has worked with unity Of
design and harmony of action that defy improvement in
any Of its essential features
In the ruition of all those blessings, secret socees
organized under oath signs formulas and covenants Of
the most absolute and debasng despoism in its impos
tons upon its members now working with active in
dusy throughout the entire extent of country for the
success of their prolific scheme of mischief and danger
They striving to control all popular elections that
they may obtain possession of the powers of the govern
e to enable them to reconstruct its form for the ndu
gence of bgo.sy and persecution intolerance and despo
ISM Such is the inevitable tendency of their objects,
however they may try conceal them under the guiso Of
protecting American liberty
So sacred has been considered the perfect framework Of
our constitution that the wisdom and virtue of the
try have stood ennes guard against every sacrile
gious hand.
Some eccentric minds and some vicious schemers have
at different times impeached its perfection and essayed to
improve it, discontinue and dshonor have been their
only rewards.
Soproound the prevailing watchulness and deyo
ton the constitution that If any man, or combination OF
men, should mediate any change of its vital principles
which, by possibility might destroy its harmony and en-
danger however open and undisgused their
purposes and plans) it would universal opposition
and the of patriotism would be the shield Of the con-
stituton
How much are the vigilance and condemnation OF
every honest and patriot invoked when he sees the
society of know-nohings organized in darkness
trained in conceamen bound by oaths never to divuge
of the secrets Of its mpenetrala oath upon oath null
ped make the the progress and success OF their
scheme paramount to every other oblgaon and by the
unalienabe obligation Of these oaths assuming bondage
of themselves for all the objects of the secret association
not only for the present but for an indefinite future
time and purpose!
Is it not mockery for such sayes to talk about aAmer
can lberty2" American liberty has nothing to expect
from such bondsmen but danger American liberty asks
no aid that ashamed ad of the face of day. and dare
not walk abroad in its majesty" American liberty
u:.xko H.
fore the world its high prerogaves. 1t has struggled
from infancy manhood supporting faithfully and fear
lessy the principles of its lustrous progenitors And
now with a selfsustaning power commensurate to all
its wants it asks nothing but fidelity and fears nothing
but treachery.
Are these dark secret conspraor who are threading all
the of society under ncognito unknown to all
beyond the mystic revelations Of their councrooms
to be trusted with power remodel repudate de-
etroy the constitution and government in their wisdom
or folly they may meditae2 Are these men more trust
worthy or be feared because of THEN secrecy Are
they wiser than Washington, Adams Jefferson, Hancock
and Franklin? Are they purer and greater Statesmen ana
patriots? Are they such as deserve nations conf
dence for any sacred trust of liberty honor Have
they oath, covenant pledge made upon the altar
of their country to be faithful to the constitution and
the aws2 Have they not by oath piled upon OATH been
pledged to violate and destroy Of the precious
parts of the constitution Have they not by all the forms
of oahs and covenants pledged themselves to strike down
religious liberty by ostraczng religious cresds and
king the bands Of faith bind to the throne of God
disqualification of civil rights And furthermore, have
they that they will strict obedience pay to the
constitution laws rules rituals and edics of their grand
council 2 which, from the nature Of the covenant is made
paramount to every other obligation3
Beyond what they have promulgated or rather what
has escaped their prson-house have not right to eI-
pect that they have schemes yet untold and scouges hidden
in store After having ostraczed religious denoni-
nation will this satisfy the standard Of their orthodoxy
Nav they not find others with Catholic relationship requ
ring the same condemnation May they not go on from
one step eff persecution another, until all crecds be
buried and when they cxngush the last light of religious
liberty they may grope through the deep eclipse for the
BIBLE and like in6de France in the days of her bloody
revolution pronounce IL fiction, and it's teachings nom