Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-07-22
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.

The public have been much perplexed with doubts
as to the real aim of the Rnoso-Nothang organiza-
TONS but the dispute is satisfactorily settled at last
There great deal of plausibility in the conec-
ture that the malignant spirit of sectarian bigotry
and the illibera jealousy of race, were at the bot
tom of the mysterious movements; and STILL as long
as its object was disguised IN an lmpenetrabe ven OF
secrecy, its true character could only be developed
by its public operations. This has been done, and
with the certainty with which tell the tree by its
fruit may we now determine the real nature and OBJ
iect of the Know Nothing organization.
This tree has borne its fruit and deadly poison
it is The riotous demonstrations against the Cath
olics and foreign population in the Northern cities,
were all the work OF the KnowNothing conspIra-
tors. 1t is their intolerant bigory which is desecra
ting and destroying the Catholic churches of New
England. 1t is their vulgar prejudice which, by in
suerable persecution, is goadng the Ignorant Irish
to violence and outbreak. They have infamed the
passions of sect and Of race; they have disturbed
the harmony and rcpose of society; and by the in
exorable constancy and fierce energy with which
they pursue their diabolical purposes, they threaten
to bring serious trouble and peril upon the country.
1t is il singular contradiction, that among people
who are themselves the descendants by a sing re-
move, from foreigners; in country where perfect
freedom of conscience and opinion is the boast OF
the patriot and at epoch when it is thought the
spirit of christian civilization has subducd the fero-
cous feelings of the human heart-it is strange that
here and at this day, should spring up and flourish
secret association which derives its energy from the
most cruel and malignant passions of our nature,
which stiles the voice of charity, which proscrlbes
the alien and denies the ordinary rights of hospali
ty to the stranger and the sojourner, and which
ges relentless against all the principles of civil
and religious liberty. Strange indeed that the Pro-
testants should practice pei Secuton in the spirit of
the lnqusition and should fight the Pope with the
weapons of lgnatius Loyola. Strange that the quiet
profession Of venerable faith should be prescribed
in the name of 4 creed which claims the utmost lib
erty of private judgment. Strange that Philoso
phc contempt for the trumpcry of superstition,
should mpel men to crusade oficonoclasm against
plaster crucifixes and miniature virgins. Stranger
still that republicans should punish the victim OF
intolerance with the relentless Sor and secret stab
of despotiSm Stranges of all that Americans should
close the door against the fugitive from oppression,
and should renounce all sympathy or fellowship with
the countrymen of Montgomery, OF De kalb and OF
La lafayette. Here are Inconsistencies and anoma-
lies which may well puzzle the philosopher with all
his presumption and conceit.
1t is idle to say, that nothing more is contemplated
than the exclusion Of the Catholic and the foreign
born, from political franchises and the rights of cti-
zcnship There arc passions which it is easier to in
flame than subdue. a child may kinde a coniagra-
ton which the mercy of heaven only can eXtingush.
When the people of this country arrayed into
hostile sccts, and the passions and prcjudices ofrace
eXasperatcd by collisions of creed who then will
soothe the rage Of religious bgotry and restore the
reign of peace and repose? The Catholic will not
surrender his lights without struggle. Persecution
will provoke resistance, and in the end the liberties
of the country will be lost. Does not every man
orsee this result? Already has the Indifferent spir-
and it will not be long before the more setate por
ton of the community will be startled from their in
difference to this thing, by shock which will be
felt throughout the country.
Politicians proverbially reckless i'll their pur-
suit of their selfish schemes but there is daring,
impious disregard of the quiet and security of socie
ty in this appeal to the religious passions of the poo
pie which almost defies conception.
But, this hcous and loathsome association can
not flourish the soil of Virginia. Here men new
do things secretly and by stealth. If a gentle
has an injury to redress, he does it under the
light of the sun, and in manly way. He does not
waylay his enemies in the darkness of night, nor
stab him in the back Neither the stetto the
sun5 shot is Virginia weapon Nirsnians abhor
concealment. They will not vote by ballot lest they
appear to court conceament; but with the open
front of manhood and with living voice, they declare
their will, fearless of responsibility. With equal
publicity and in the straightforward manner
they pursue all their objects, whether of personal,
POLITICAL religious nature. Here and there knave
may entrap a fool into this Know-Nothng conspira-
cy, but all honest and intelligent Vrgnans will re-
gard it with the contempt and repugnance which its
skulking and atrocous character justly provokes 1t
is forgotten that Virginia the first to recog-
Mise religious liberty by Legislative enactment and
the first to protest against an alien lao.
Rich. Eng.