Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1854-10-05
GOVERNMENT OFFICERS < GAINST
THE KNOW-NOTHING.

We publish from responsible correspondent,
the official designation Of the persons who presided
al a meeting recently call in Washington, toAex
press its condemnation Of the Know Mornings, and
its approval Of the administration. We see moth
ing more Improper In the condemnation OF the
Know Nolhings than ii the meeting had condemn
ed any other organization The people have an
inalienabe and an iIlimitable right Of opinion and
Of speech. But when the employees Of Govern
aent come forward TO condemn popular move
ment and 10 connect with it the landstion OF their
official masters, there is departure from usage
there is an Inconsistency in principle, which3 de-
serve the severesi reprobation.
Who, we ask MIR Barrett or Mr3Hooger
We shall be told that Ley are respectable persons
translated from some Ct The practical calings Of
life to deliver letters and process for the Fed
eral Government. What relation is there between
those official stations and wholesale denuncia-
ton Of political organization Is there an Aris-
tocracy amongst under which one set OF men
are authorized 10 condemn another, for having done
what the conslilu ion Allows them 10 40 We can
not admit it. This bold corporation Of othee-hold-
eIs applauds the administration No d0nbt they
would vote 10 nauguraie it for second term This
Is very natural, because their OWE salaries depend
upon its stability. But will the American people
tolerate a system Of intervention by men paid for
their services. in the political affairs OF the coun-
try 1t was but recently that Cochrane, with Capt.
Rynders and his cohoTt, attended mocEaiic
Convention 10 New York These gentlemen we're
very prominent, the latter more 50 than any other
member OF the meeting. The resolutions adopted
BY that convention were regarded as an admins
traitor triumph. Now, II The paid agents of this
Government are 10 omit their bureaus 10 conduct
public meetings in favor Of the power that has APP
ion Of public aFfsiFs. - nv one ever seen or
fee holder who openly condemned The measures oil
the administration. and 5etainef his place1 No
Under system Of espionage and reslficiionl The
honest are dumb-the renal proclaim the praise oil
the powers TO which they owe their salary.
We apprehend little from the action ofihe Office
holders II is done tG enhance their own claims
upon the administrator, not with the expectation
that il will affect any political result.
Mr.. Tyler tried the same thing. He banded the
Office holders or they banded themselves, TO efec,
insurance II possible upon their salaries. But
neither circulars nor mentions could secure him
the nomination or save them frem their destiny.
We do not. then, appnhend much from the COM
bination Of Office holders; tor any attempt upon the
part Of the Government TO dictate 10 or rebuke the
American people will always animate an opposi-
ton far more injurious ihah the influence of efee-
holders can be valuable And this the more par
ticula'lY in WashingioR CITY, where the people DO
net enjoy the right Of Federal suffrage. The elo-
qusnce Of the employees who spoke and the public
influence Of those who presided would scarcely in
fuence the political opinions Of any coCn y in any
State Of the u Mon. Sill we would not limit the
freedom OF speech even 10 bonds-man therefore
lei the government scribes eTpress themselves free
ly. It is even the privilege Of The criminal upoa
the scaifold, TO speak before he is "tuIned on p
Why should not an employee have the same In lul-
gence.- Bait Patriot.