The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-10-25

erature. [saying nothing of religious liter
ature, is calculated TO prescribe and de.
grade any people? Or shall we fall back
upon that old exploded theory, the more
ignorance the more peace. assert that
to no other influence is to be ascribed
more Of the triumphs of that, to the world.
novel idea American Liberty, self govern
ment. and its perpeiuity, than must be as.
crbed to the onward march of moral
and religious not sectarianl education OF
the masses. 1911 With this fact before
US, established by our experience, and a
gem Of our nation ality, shall we meekly
submit TO, and imbibe into our organiza.
ton nationally sentiments dictated, and
principles publicly avowed, mot inferred |
such as "'rhe overthrow of the American
common school system - education the
business Of the church-,he exlirpation
of heresy is equally the duty OF the State
and church-religous tolerance itself a
heresy, because no man has the right TO
choose his own religion-Catholics ought
to summon the State itself TO plead at the
bar OF the church, its divinely constituted
Judge" [22] These principles are not
dormant: they have manifested themselves
in the war waged against our system OF
education; and that war has not been
waged without some triumphs. The Hes
SLAMS have been routed in some OF the
New England States, and it now has to
be said OF a part of our beloved America,
the home of the brave, yea the land OF the
blessed Of earth, that the Bible is scanned
from Schools and Colleges. 1881
More anon.
ONE THAT KNOWS SOME THINGS.
The above article ives handed to US a
few days since, accompanied by the very
modest request that we should ''give i! an
insertion in the paper, and correct the or.
biography and punctuation" The au-
thor not being subscriber certainly al.
tributes to US less degree of intolerance
than his article will justify US in allowing
to him. or he would have little hope OF
seeing it in print. Although we find no
precedent in editorial or any other oomity,
lest we should be charged with muzzling
the press. we give place to his communi-
cation; reserving always the right to re.
ject any future articles from the same
source should we deem it proper.
Whether Mr.. "Know Something" has
satisfactorily answered the arguments in
our paper Of the | 1th inst, is for our read.
ers to determine. Before we have done
with him, however. we will indulge in q
brief criticism of his facts and arguments,
and provide him with few more items for
his consideration.
(L) One of the most prominent objec.
tons to all secret political organizations.
is, that outsiders are to great extent ig-
norant Of their objects, though it is not un.
fair to infer at least this much, that their
objects would suffer if very closely inves.
tigated, else, why the necessity of conceal
ing them2 Why not boldly present them
TO the tribunal of the people, submi, them
to fair discussion and let them stand or
fall as they merit, and not thus gag the
mouth of opposition? 1t will he observed
that Mr.. "Know Something" very careful
ly avoids admitting the measures he advo-
Gates TO be part of the ow-Nothing
creed; and why? These are feelers
thrown out 10 tes: public opinion, and, il
haply. they should be frowned upon, the
institution may disavow them and escape
the odium. Thus it is, not daring to ven.
ture into the open field, they fire from an
ambuscade; thus it is, they throw around
them as much mystery as possible TO hide
their deformities.
(2.) "Know Something" avows for him
self the principles (?) contained in the
platform in the "Spirit' of the 1Ith.
against which we made the "grave char.
ges"; and in replying to him in defence
of those "charges," we do not feel called
upon to dispute proposition which is
neither in the platform. in the charges,
nor in the issue. Where in either of these
is it proposed "to extend the time Of their
(;he ioreigners) probation from hive to
twenty.one years?
(3.) That platform says absolutely and
Internationally. 1.-The repeal of all Nat
uralization Laws" Is it advocating it to
dodge its first proposition and present one
quite different? He raises here false is
sue and wastes good deal of innocent
paper in attempting to sustain it by asser.
lions neither proved nor provable.
(4.) That the "largest portion of our
adopted citizens vote as their spiritsal ad-
visers dictate" needs more than NAKED
allegation over a fictitious signature to
give it credence.
(6.) Is it true that "they know but little.
comparatively nothing Of our institutions?
Why do they emigrate at all! Is it not
to escape oppression and enjoy liber,y?-
Do they blindly, and without knowing
whether for better or worse, tear them
selves from friends and home and risk
THAR 1;vos and l,ftlo fortunoo unon tho