The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-07-28

SENATOR DOUGLAS. in his Fourth Of July
address at Philadelphia made an attack upon
tho" Know Nothings," by saying !. there
was secret organization, and he, rejeiced
thatthey called themselves Know Moth
ings," for they know not what they do |;
they knoir not the obligations they owe to
the Constitution, TO the laws, or to their
fellow men, Many OF the Americans were
much dissatisfied. Mr.. ID. attempted an
explanation, bui could not engage the
attention OF bis audience. -Boston Tran
: SCRIPT. e. .s~-...c
The foregoing paragraph Is significant
Senator Douglas breads the |" Know Moth
ings." He may well do 80. Whatever may
DO the future Of that mysterious association,
Its present course has been as honorable as
its successes have been brilliant. SO long
as IL retains its rule Of choosing its candi-
dates by merit and no, party gratitude, it
may well DO distasteful 10 politicians Of tho
Douglas stamp. The Hon. Senator employs
against the Know No,hings the usual accu-
sation, so easy to alleee. so difficult to parry,
Of 81 unconstitutionality." This is the
caichword ofthe day. and will answer equally
well to brand tho Repeal OF the Fugitive
Slave act, the clerical petition, Senator
Summers speech, or any other good work or
word, not meeting the most serene approval
OF The Little Giant. We should DO glad to
be informed what provision or principle Of
our Constitution forbids men to keep their
purposes to themselves If they like, which
makes non-commit, a crime, or condemns
q voter because he doesn't choose to proclaim
frnu, Ia hnnso tnna h.s f,y,,;ta tat In
1t may. in the Hon. Senator's opinion, be
unpolitic, unwise, and decidedly embarrass-
ing 10 wire-pullers, to adop, such q course
just Us sundry village inatrons and elderly
maids are scandalized if their neighbor's
market baskets are so contrived as To hide
from the curious eyes Of gossip, the daily
bill Of faro. Dut that The much suffering
CONSTITUTE is iInperalled by the one col.
cealment more than the other, ia piece OF
practical absurdity OF which Senator Doug.
las Is doubtless as well aware as anybody.
As the author of u similar sweeping charge,
said, when called upon 10 admit the injns.
tico Of his complaint, Senator Douglas
would probably reply TO his friends and con-
fdants-"l know it Is not true, but then il
Is an excellent stone To- pelt with"
We make these remarks the more readily.
ns we dislike TO hear false accusations
couohed in board and random term, thrown
out against any body Of men, We have al
ready expressed our opinions Of The Know
Nothings We don't believe in the contin-
ued existence for any useful purposes Of any
secret organization. Especially in politics
we prefer to see the work carried on openly,
and We have sufficient faith in great princi-
pies to believe that il the people are right
In heart and head in morals and intelligence,
machinery Of secret societies is unnecessary,
But We don't therefore consider il incumbent
on US to abuse and viliiy any such associa.
ton because it is secret,nor will we withhold
our praise SO long as it, course seems direc-
ted by o true and patriotic regard for the
country's welfare = Mercury.