The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1854-09-29


stres, we NAV refer to the rights secured to the
several StateS-the present system OF naturali-
zation laws-the acquisition OF Louisana-the
war Of 1872, declared for the maintenance of
our rights as a maritime nation-the overthrow
Of the United States Bank--the establishment
OF the Independent Treasury Systematic re-
peal OF the Bankrupt law--and the extension
of cur boundaries to the Pacific Ocean, the
result of the late war with Mexico. To each
of these measures Of national policy. 50 vitality
important to the interests Of our country, adopt
ed in spite of the warm opposition Of i'edefal-
ism, every member Of the Democratic party
can point as monuments Of the wisdom and pa
trotsm Of the party.
IN the present campaign, our opponents are
not willing TO meet Us on former issues; they
ignore the past, and depend for success on the
feeling OF opposition in the north 10 the NebEas
ka bill, and on the cooperation Of new secret
socety--lhe Know w-Nothngs. Relying on the
iosner, they encourage and arouse the almost
dormant spirit oil AboIitonsm, and, as al
lies of the Know-Nothings, they are contented
TO see excited the religions prejudice OF the
community, and 10 hear revived, in the State
founded by William Penn, the ''no Popery
cry" OF British rorysm. In regard 10 the pas
sage of the Nebraska bill, We have only TO say
that there is in the minds Of men of both parties
an honest difference oi opinion on the SUBJECT.
The measure was sustained and opposed by men
OF both parties. The Wings Of the South, who
meet in political convention, and form the same
party as the wings Of the North, sustained the
bill almost unanimously. The Democratic mem
bers Of Congress who voted for the bill have
met, and are prepared TO meet their respective
constituents and take the responsibility Of their
votes. Bot Gov. Bigler is in no manner re-
Sponsible for the acts Of Congress. He should
stand or fall on the merits Of his own admins
tration, and not be struck down on account Of
legislation in which he bad no voice, and over
which hp had no control As Gov. Bigler
would have received no credit for series of
popular measures Of Congress, so it is neither
right nor just 10 hold him responsible for the
enactment Of bin, to the passage Of which be
neither contributed by word or deed.
The Know Nothing organization, originating
in the great cities, the ulcers of the body poll
tic, has spread over the country and cur oppo-
nrnts, ever ready to gather grst from all quar-
ters, have formed coalition with this mushroom
faction and we must admit that they have given
a certain degree of influence TO an organiza-
iion, the most diSreputable which has yet APP
peafcd on tIa Western side of the Atlantic. If
we understand The object ofthe krTow-4ASothings,
as avowed By their papers, they declare oppo-
Siton TO all foreigners and 10 all members oithe
Roman Catholic Church, whether native or
foreign, and determination to prevent them
from obtaining any office Of trust or profit they
also announce their political hostility TO any
portion or party Of the American people who
shall Sympathize with and support for cffce,
any of the classes they bave prescribed: they
also propose an extension ofthe time required
hv the present laws for the naturalization OF
foreigners and, in order TO carry INTO effect
these objects, they have organized secret socie-
ties In which their leaders arrange and direct
the movements cf the members. While we
ADMIRE the noble ambition which prompts men
to aspire 10 political honors, and are willing to
make every reasonable allowance fer shifts and
,xpedents Of political leaders, we cannot refrain
from expressing our profound regret that the
Wing party of Pennsylvania, the followers Of
Webster and OF Clay, in whose great heart there
was love and sympathy for mrn Of every creed
and every cline, should, for the hope OF a mere
temporary triumph, contribute aid and comfort
TO an organization, and endorse doctrines which
strike at the political equality of American citi-
lutions; and we have every reason to believe
that thousands Of pure and patriotic Wings,
with whom love OF country is far stronger
than a submission to party discipline, will cut
loose from this alliance, in which their leaders
are endeayolDg 10 entangle them, and VIII
range themselves side by side with their Demo-
cratic brethren, who, though differing with
them on minor topics, have been, and Will con-
tnur TO be, the defenders OF the religious and
political rights Of every American citizen.
The great principle of religious liberty-of
the political equality of man, whatever might
be his religious brlicf-Was universally rccog-
nZed on the American continent wears before
the adoption OF the Constitution. EXIles from
prosecuting laws-ihe English Protestant, the
French Huguenot, and the Roman Catholic
settled the american wilderness. Alike, they
endured the pryatons of Colonial settlement !;
together, they struggled through the contest
with great Britain united IN council, their
blood mingled in the batte-fieds of the Revo-
luton as one people, they adopted Constltu-
tion-the admiration and veneIation OF the
world, the example and hope OF all rationale
ties Under that Constitution, each citizen be-
ing equal in the eyes OF the law, an unparal-
ellrd, almost miraculous, degree OF national
prosperity has been achieved and yet the A
merican people are now asked 10 undermine
that glorious fabric, reared by the abilities and
cemented by the blood Of men of all creeds,
and, in the Nineteenth Century, TO renew the
religious agitatons which disgraced the Six
trenth--to proscribe large, influential, and
intelligent class OF our fellow -citizens-to with
draw from them every mark Of public conf
dence and regard-to dlsIranchise them from
holding any Office of trust and profit, and treat
them enemies OF the Repubhc-not because
liccl,nrr liz IL, llIfins Of