The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-10-12

WITH It's main Object as from the activity of its
adherents.
1t is unfair to attempt to identify the new
Party with any political organization. 1t il
composed of recruits from ali Parties, and re
garded with tolerance or favor by many who
consider it merely temporary, and do moi
choose to connect themselves with it. Some
think it may succeed in absting the mischief
resulting in certain localities from alien com
binations or Jesuitical intermeddling and put
an end to that demagoguism which has given
birth to these evils: some hope that it may
powerfully concur with other causes in break
ing up old political Parties some regard with
great oomplacency its effective opposition Il
the Administration, charged with pandering tt
foreign and Catholic influences.
1t has spread into all the States, but is most
active in the cities. 1t boasts of its numerous
municipal victories, claims to hold the balance
of power in several of the States, and in some
proposes to nominate independent candidates.
In some places, if the public is not misin-
formed, scheming politicians have Joined the
new order for the purpose of advancing their
own interests, or making it auxiliary to other
parties with which they are connected.
On the subject of Slavery, we presume it has
no creed or policy. In Massachusetts and New
York "they say" that it is Anti-Nebraska in
its feelings, and yet in New York its action has
not confirmed this representation; and we sup
pose it will hardly be claimed that the Know
Nothings who carried the elections in Norfolk,
Va, Memphis, Tenn, and voted against Mr..
Benton in st. Louis, were any other than pro-
slavery men. In this city, q few Anti, Slavery
men may belong to the organization, but the
majority are pro-slavery The National organ,
which is to be started here in November, adopts
substantially the Baltimore platform in rela-
ton to Slavery Pledging resistance to the
agitation of the question, and the editor, Mr..
Vespasian Ellis, native of Vermont but long
a resident in the South, is Shareholder and
pro-slavery man.
The readers of the National Era can hard
Iy doubt our position in regard to this new or
ganiEation.
In the first place, it is secret political order.
In despotic countries where the People are de-
prived of their liberties, secrecy in their politi
cal movements is generally a necessity but a
different policy becomes q People who can
meet freely together, petition, demonstrate, dis
,uss, vote, govern themselves. What they pur-
pose and do, if honest, need not be hidden.
Tho more publicity, the better-the greater
he responsibility, tho more wholesome the re-
straint on individuals, the fewer the chances for
corruption or imposture. We see no necessity
ror any secret order of politicians in this coun-
Try; we do sec much danger in it. Their object
nay be good one, but exempt from just re-
;ponsibility to Public Opinion, the constant
temptation is to resort to the most corrupt prsc-
ices.
Again: it is said, we know not with what
ruth, that every adherent is sworn to obey
he decision of majority, and this majority
q all probability will be under the control of
4 few managers. We ore inclined to believe
he statement, for we know not how else to &C
count for the alleged efficiency of an organiza-
ion, which dspenses with the ordinary means
Of party unity and success. If it be true,
how can its adherents vindcate such rule
One of the dogmas which they war against is,
that which asserts right in an ecclesiastical
the church ITO control absolute
" the individual consciences of its members !;
and yet, if report speak truth, they submit to
this monstrous assumption in their political or
der!
But it is to the specific means adopted by
this organization for the accomplishment of its
object, that we must seriously object. They
are, the prolongation Of the period of Natu-
ralization to twenty-one years, and the ezclu-
sion from any ofice of trust, profit, or honor,
Of all persons Of foreign birth, or of the Catho-
Iio faith. If we misrepresent the Know Moth
ngs, in this respect, we shall be thankful to
any friend who will correct us. The most au-
thoritatiye exposition we have seen, was given
in the series of resolves adopted unanimously
at the imposing meeting of Know Nothings
and Native Americans, held in this city on the
27sh ult. 1t resolved as follows:
Whereas we believe in the competency,
govern their own country; therefore
I" Resolved, That we will not vote for nor as
sist in elevating foreigners by birth to Offices of
trust, emolument or honor, under our Gov
nor WILL we vote for or assist In ele-
waiting 10 such Offices any American born citi-
zens who recognise or hold themselves under
any allegiance whatever, to any foreign prince,
potentate, power, or authority.
Resolved, That the naturalization laws
ought to be totally repealed or materially al
tered, and the term of residence before admis-
sion to the rights of citizenship be extended to
the period of twenty-one years"
AS we understand it their first resolution
virtually proscribes the whole body of our
Catholic fellow-citizens-for ell are to be ex-
Guided from Office, who hold themselves under
any allegiance sChGtsOever, to any foreign
prince, potontate, potOer, or authority.
The Catholic Church, with its visible head
at Rome, is foreign Power or Authority. Il
claims infallibility in all matters of religious
faith, and requires spiritual allegiance from
all its members-in other words, obedience to
its authority in spiritual affairs. American
Catholics generally yield such obedience, while
they deny that the Church claims their allegi-
ance in OWL affairs and assert that were
such claim made, they would repudiate it.
Now, should the Church of Rome set I'D such
a pretension practically-as some of the Jesuit
papers in this country have seemed to put forth
m its behalf-of right to the allegiance of its
in civil affairs it would be not only
the right, but the duty of this country. to ex-
clude from any Office of trust profit, or influ-
ence, aye, even from the rights of citizenship,
every person recognising such q pretension,
holding himself bound by such allegiance. No