The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-11-25
THE KNOW NO1HiNGS.
A Reply to the Letter OF the Hon. Horny A
Wise.
NEW YORK, Nov. "a, 1854.

n
Wise.
New YORK; Nov. "a, 1854.
To THE Hon. HENRY A. WISH
sIR-Admration for your Talents and confidence in
your patriotism have induced to peruse carefully,
your recent manifesto against the socalled order of
Know Nothings. I do not pretend to compete with
you either in logical in rhetorical display,
5u. OF truth and justice, and warm feeling OF
Amercanism, induce me to ofcr some suggestions in
regard TO the positions which you assume The postu
late which you lay down-that the laws of the United
States declare and defend the liberties of people,
that they free in every SENSE SURPRISING in their
franchises the Magma Charta is undenable; but
1t is literally people whose liberties they declare and
defend The constitution Of the United States declares
in it's preamble that it formed by ancestors
the blessings Of liberty to themselves and their
postery and the whole tenor of that instrument shows
marked distinction between the condition Of the native
born and naturazed citizen. In evidence of this need
scarcely call your attention to the fact that
no one but q native or citizen at the time of
the adoption of the, constitution, is eligible to the
office Of President Vice President and that prolonged
term of residence is indispensable qualification for
Senator or Representative in Congress- The feeling
Of caution and the sentiment of nationality which i'm
posed these restrictions recommended by the ap-
proval of earliest patriots, well as by
tments of pati9 is true that Congress is EN-
powered by the constitution to 20 establish uniform
rule of Naturalization 5ut his is merely per-
missive-an authority to be used expediency
may dictate +" for the general good" and by no
means compulsory, when the exercise of the fran
chises thus extended as o boon to the foreigner
threaten to disturb domestic trapquiltys Ihold
and no argument SO specious as to from the
positon-hat the institutions Of country its govern
ment its laws, and its freedom, much inherit
TO its children the property of family; and
that hence, as American born citizen, have rights
more sacred than any which can be acquired by the
rule Of naturalization 1t is true that privileges of
national character may be conferred without injury
all who in good faith become citizens but this does
not impair the right Of the native guard with jealousy
the franchises which he has inherited. Iaccord fully
with the principle established by Revolution which
recognizes the right of expatriaon but the assertion
of this right By impars the superior right Of
native population to fence and guard against the dan
ger OF innovation and encroachment the institutions
OF their country. For the truth of this position
l appeal neither to the sophistries of logic nor
the deusve figures of rhetoric, but to the
tural feelings of the human heart
Your first objection to this mysterious order is its
secrecy and you ask sWhen there Is necessity to
justify secret association for political ends what else
must have read careessy the history of the times not
be Of the strict surveillance which exercised by
Of their opponents well the subtle devices which
used by parties to destroy the efficiency of opposing
o he q
may sit in secret to consult the general policy
of great public party BY what right, then, confess
ing do to ignorance Of the organization and OBJ
jects that great American party whose would
miraculous If did not understand the patriotic
principles which have induced to its popularity do you
deny them the privilege Of secret ivae consultation
upon their general policys .ehe you upon your
admissions, sir which conducive against you this
point if the necessity Of secret organization be
established aud that this Is both necessary and c5nve-
nient is have doubt entirely satisfactory to the
members of the organization which you denounce They
the BEST the only true judges upon this subject and
the right of hundreds Of thousands Of native born Amer
TO exercise the privilege of secret cannot be
denied any sound rule OF democratic principle That
you recognise such right and oppose the practice sim
ply upon The ground that Il is unnecessary appears from
your abored essay upon this point After exhibition
of statistics which Is partial in its nature, but which,
nevertheless, shews sufcien. balance of Catholics
and naturazed citizens to control ordinary election
orty OF numbers and Of wealth OF natives and of pro-
tesants to fear from such mnorities OF Catholics and
naturalzed citzenss Why, sir, it is as have just
stated; that in the excitement oil party politica small
compact body Of voters may control the elections Of
country and in great measure dictate its policy This
your own experience politician has doubtless taught
you You greatly mistake however, the objects and
purposes OF the American party suppose their OPP
position Is directed entirely against Roman Catholics and
naturalized citizens. We look upon the demagogues
who, with selfish purposes, by fawning AMI aattery
have tostered anti American sentiments and anti Amer
can organizations among our adopted citizens for the
sake OF political advancement the chief sinners who
to endure the wrath OF the awakened Nemesis There
are earnest advocates Of religious freedom
more decided opponents OF party corruption, than
those who belong the organizations which You oppose
II is not the religion of the Catholic than that of
the Protestant to which they object but it is freedom
for oil which they characterization from the tyranny
OF prestcraft ami freedom in government from all
religious interference They unwilling that any church
and they do not believe that any man who sckno
higher duty it regards his political and social obi
cations to church organization than that which he owes
to the government under which he lives is fit to be
American citizen This sir Is the argument whereupon
all alleged opposition to Roman Catholics is founded.
hove italicised the word Roman because it becomes
cessary here to draw marked distinctions distinction
which the emssaries Of the Roman church fast max
ing for themselves distinction which the American
party fully recognises and which will free them in the
eyes the udicous from every imputaton of religious
persecution. In confirmation OF this position witness
the difficulties that have occurred between the Roman
priesthood and their Catholic congregations In various
sections OF country the most recent Of which, in
of the Rev. John Brady Of Hartford Conn, has
cited universal sympathy; sentiment which has no
where been more powerfully felt than among members
Of the American Organizations, In truth, the Catholic
congregations in the United States in their resistance to
the tyranny Of prestcrat of which have but he
beginning Of the end, win have no frmer
liable friends than the you denounce So much for
u ,S
raj and spiritual control in this country must be familiar
to you. Their prescription Of the Bible in our public
schools in NewYok must have revoted feelings as
christian; and their attempt to revive the tenure oil
church property against which tho statute Of mort
main was enacted centuries ago 10 England must have
called forth your earnest opposition as an enlightened
legislator Yet sad experience has taught u.s. SO
our political parties become that even the great prin
cples OF the true Magma Charta weud have been out
ragged by ecclesiastical usurpaton upon thsse points,
hsd moi counter organisation posse ssed strength
pose the Vaccinations Of the Roman priesthood ana
defeat the intrigues Of corrupt partsans accord
fuy air with your proud boast to the sentiments
patriotism and nationality which belong TO peo-
pie, and which will undoubtedly survive through long
generations; nor would have my colntrymen selfish
desire chat liberty In this country should be perpctu-
Al and that our light should be beacon TO all mankind
That would guard we'll the Of her sacred temple
Ii against the fore gncr BY birth the Catholic In
religion that secret po cal organization ievecd but
when Of foreign birth who have accepted the boon