Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-09-25
IHR NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
RICHMOND WHIG.
ND tORRRspoNOENr.
Che Enqulr.r and Oh. Know NothIurs.

Hbe Enquirer aud the Know NohIngs.
We have hesitation in responding the iutsrroga-
tory Of the Wig, but did suppose that any intel
gsnt person could PROFOUND It. The of the En-
9uirsr In respect to Know Nohngsm" has BEEN from
the beginning uniformly and emphatcaly denunciaory
and surprised that the Wing should not understand
position. To relieve the Wig, perplexity, however,
assure Il that, under no circumstances, will the
"6Hquirr support Know Nothing for the office Of Co.
vernon"
Win the Wig be equally precise and emphatic in ode.
hning its position" thouchng the Know Nothngss-Rich
mond Enquirer.
The Enquirer has at last answered our enquiry
and pledges itself not to support "Know Nothing
for the office Of Governor" As consequence, too
natural and obvious to admit of doubt or cavl, the
Enquirer is equally pledged not to support any cam
didate for the Office Of Lieut. Governor, Attorney
General, or Congress, or the Legislature, who is a
Know Nothing. This is certainly sufficiently exp-
cit. Here then we have prescription for opinions
sake, with vengeance. No matter how faithful and
true and honest man may have been-no matter
how lofty patrotismp his public and private life
and unexceptionabe his political antecedents" yet
al these "as dust in the balance" in the Engui-
res estimation if he is free to exercise the undoubt-
ed rights Of an American ctizen,-dnd differs ,oith
the Enquirer on the question OF Foreign influence
prefers Protestant and an American citizen, for
ofice,-to Catholic and Foreigner. The Enquirer
advocates "freedom Of opinion" and yet proscrbes
the man who dsscnts from its views on mere qucs-
ton Of expedicncy in political organization
We need scarcely inform the public we assume
and will maintain to the end, ground directly the
opposite Of that taken by the Enquirer We will not
prescribe man who is faithful capable and true to
the Constitution; who is good citizen, an honest
man, and trustworthy politician, merely because he
is Know Nothing. We are republicans in feeling,
in faith, in action. We have implicit faith in the
ground work Of republican institutions, and in
the high integrity and genuine patriotism of the
American people; and We have ever been taught
from youth upward to give full credence-in
practical acton-to the right of every citizen to form
and express his opinions, and act up, in pub
lie to his own convictions. As consequence Of this
cardinal feature in republican faith we shall never
prescribe tried public servant merely because he
under bis own honest convictions differs with as
to how far the Naturalization Laws too lax or too
stringent. How far it is expedient to exercise re-
srictve policy on the millions Of foreigners who are
yearly emgrating to America. How far, and 10 what
extent, it is advisable to shield Protestant rights
against Catholic dominion. These questions in
cidcnt TO our political organization, and entitled
toa free and full exercise OF opinion by each voter
Weare OF the opinion, that it would be as just il,
Us TO prescribe candidate, because he was Metho-
dstan Epscopaliana Baptist or Presbyterian. Would
this be tolerated? II are left free to exercise
their own judgments on these Questions, why W.
ask, Is an American citizen, born on our SOIL reared
under our institutions, assmilated, in every feeling
with American interests and American principles e
be prescribed, dsfranchised POLITICALLY speaking,
outta~ed, because, an his opinion, it Is proper 10
unite, quietly and peacefully, with those of his fellow.
citizens who happen to agree with him, for the pur
pose oil checking the prevailing evil of the day, and
thus to teach the American statesmen that they arc
not to rely the foreign vote as the balance Wheel
in elections?
We again repeat, are not of this order, know
nothing of their secrets have no insight into their
ulterior purposes do intend to become zone OF
them" We are not do we design becoming
their advocate. We shall maintain our known posi-
ton and we shall advocate the true principles of the
Wing policy, based on what we believe to be true
Republican doctrines In choosing between rival
candidates for Office, shall support those men who
are known to agree with us, and to advocate those
principles, aud adhere TO that political creed
which is in accordance with our own, ioitlom the
least reference 10 the enquiry IS he OR Is HE not
KNOW NoTHISG' The questions which we shall ask,
are s he honestS is he capable is he true to the
constitution Are his political antecedents such as
guarantee to his constituents fidelity in Office capacity
for his duties, integrity in their discharge? We will
not pause to ask, is he natiyeborn adopted is he
Protestant or Catholic? is he Presbyterian, Epsco.
Palian, Methodist or Baptist In Short is he Know
Nothing or anti-Know Nothing?
We may add, as to the secrecy of this order, the
same argument applies with equal force to the Ma.
sonic fraternity the Odd Fellows and numerous other
secret orders. Would the Enquirer prescribe them,
or any of them? And yet they are secret organi.
dSaions and might all combine in the secret conclave
to influence public opinion, and thus control the cleo
tons. II the secrecy is the objection, the argument
applies with equal force to all.
Have we been sufficiently explicit for Our neigh
Dor?