The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-05-27

THE KNOW SoTmNes AND THE MAYoRAIT ,,-


Mr. EDnon; beg space for few words in your column,
upon the election Of mayor be held in this cv
and trust that all who love their country win give their
attention subject which presents issues of far greater
consequence than any municipal party considea
ton.
The issue is briefly this: We have candidate before ,h
people who has held the office OF mayor for years and
discharged its duties with signal ability, zeal and inegr
~. His thorough identity with city interests COM
bined with popularity sprnging from his wellknown
attributes of honor and fidelity in all public and private
relations secured for him without effort any unusual
struggle, majority of nine hundred That h.
has well fulfilled his high is not denied vet we
have class in midst who sparing pains TO AZ
complish his defeat These either members or
friends of secret society recently organized in city
called the "know-nothngsp whose principles unyer
sally conceded TO be thorough prescription from Office Of
all foreign-born citizens and Roman Catholics
At the Worth this organization has been in not few
cities emneny and unexpectedly succcssful-not SO much
by any inherent strength Of their principles but by the
want of vigilance and effort the part OF the friends Of
civil and religious liberty Eated with their ephemcral
success elsewhere these menwhose pathway has been
marked in the past by the ruins of burning churches and
who have written their bgoed creed in the blood Of our
ctzenshave dared to make this city the place Of their
combination against those principles Of religious federation
which constitution to all creeds and denomna-
tons of men, For weeks past their plot against peace
has been brewinghe private walk has been proposed
TO the weak and unwary, and with cunning tongue has the
empter unoided his plan and promised the appropriate
reward all who will fall down and worship the demon
ofnolerance and hate The secret machinery has been
worked all the springs Of this engine oppression oiled
until il is thought that it is longer necessary to wear
the mask and have it boastfnll and arrogany pro-
claimed that this fiction and will control the election
As native-born citizen of Washington, do not believe
it. cannot believe that have in this city, hitherto SO
free from strife conservative and orderly in its bearing
and tone enough Of contrary material to effect the
purposes of this organization. do know that the sub
santal citizens of this place attached to the PRINCIPLES
Of religious liberty for which fathers shed their blood
in the revolutionary struggle and in which Lafayette
Montgomery, and Pulaski bore ignoble part know
that people cordially approve that clause Of oons
tuition which the free exercise of religion to all
creeds and denominations As Protestant deplore this
movement as stigma and disgrace us if we do not put
it down and forever Here the place makes
stand If we shall by ZEAL by sacrifice of time by per
sonal effort succeed in rolling back the tide Of religious
hate and intolerance will oonly have effected result.
which will confer lasting honor upon all who have borne
their part in the struggle and shown city worthy
the illustrious it bears but blow will have been
struck for freedom which will bear fruit throughout the
entire country and everywhere the OF the patro,
for similar work
Let then, my oowcitizens address ourselves this
task We may need every vote. Let us lose nothing by
supneness by inertness dreaming that the work will
be performed without our aid when united effort win
avert the disgrace Of this foul domination We owe to our
fathers who fought for liberties to poserty who
have right to the rich heritage Of civil liberty unmpacd
by sloth, and finally to character citizens
and patriots to PROSTATE faction which threatens all that
is dear and valuable in the charter of our freedom
AN AMERICAN.