The Yazoo Democrat., 1854-10-04
YAz00 CITY, MISSISSIPPI WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, i85

EXTRACTS from the writings OfWaSh-
ingtOn and Franklin upon Matters
pertaining 10 EKnOW -NOthingtspBi.
We call the attention of the public and Of
the Know Nothings in particular, to the fol-
lowing extracts from the writings Of Wash
ington and Franklin. Whatever has been
said by those distinguished patriots and
statesmen in relation to the political policy
of this country, deservedly possesses great
weight with Americans at the present day,
and we cannot do the cause Of civil and re-
ligious liberty greater service than by re-
publishing them. Nothing has ever been
written by the most vehement opponents of
Know Nothingism that reflects so severely
upon their aims and purposes as the extracts
below. No one that belongs to that organi-
cation can peruss them without a feeling of
shame that he, an American, should have de-
parted SO far from the principles inculcated
by those illustrious sages.
We cannot but believe, however that
large number of Amer cans who have con-
nected themselves with the Buntline councils
under the idea that they are truly American
and patriotic have never read carefully the
writings of the founders of the Republic,
whom they cannot but honor and venerate,
ana ii whose political wisdom they must
have great confidence. The Know Nothing
with wonderful assurance, have
endeayored to associate with their cause Rev
olutionary "reminiscences, and hence have
misled many persons into their lodges. Eve
ry sincere and truthful member of the Bunt-
line associations will admit that the following
extracts are entirely inconsistent with the
oaths and obligations of the councils.
After the close of the Revolution, Wash
ington said:
The Irish volunteers merit the warmest
thanks of America for their patriotism and !
hope that their cOuntrymen, who have long
struggled for liberty, will be Hospitality and cor
daily received here
Upon another occasion he makes use of
the following patriotic language:
''The bosom of America is open to receive,
not only the opulent and respectable stranger,
but the oppressed and persecuIed of all nations
a participation in all our rights and pririlegeS.a
DR.. Franklin has also condemned the Know
Nothing creed in the following language:
.'The people in Europe are friendly TO this
country. When foreigners, after looking about
for some other country in which they can obtain
more happiness, give preference TO ours, AZ IS a
proof Of attachment l0hich ought TO ercite oar
confidence and affection.
The above scarcely requires any comment,
it speaks for itself in thunder tones against
that spirit of prescription against all who
were not born in this country, and who pro
fess certain religion whichis now peryading
to some extent the United States.
How admirably does the language Of
Washington and Franklin contrast with that
daily used in respect to foreigners and Cath
olics, in the organs Of the conspirators =
Were those distinguished men now in pub
lie life, they would be denounced by tbs
Know-Nothings as demagogues pandering to
foreign prejudices. 1t is indeed fortunate for
the reputation of Washington and Franklin
that they did not live in this age, as other
wise they would not have escaped the asper-
sion to which we have alluded. Every Dem
ocrat ought to carry in his pocket the ex
tracts above, and when he hears a blatant,
ignorant Know Nothing talking about Amer
icanisrn, pull them out for his perusal