Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-07-14
kNOW-NOTIIlNGlSM.

NOW-NOTHlNGlSM.
The public have been much pcrplcxcd with doubts
US to the real aim ofthe Knor- Nothing organizations
but the dispute is satisfactorily settled Il: last. There
wa agreat deal pausbi,y i'll the occtuc that The
malignant spirit OF secGrau bigory and the illih"ral
jealousy Of at the bottom OF the mysterious
movement STILL So long It's object was disg"Sed'n al
penetrable veil of secresy, its true character could
only be developed 10y its puhic operations This has
been done, and with the certainty with which we tell
the tree by liz fruit may we now determine the reai
nature and object of the Know Nothing organizations
This tree has borne its fruit aud deadly pols"il II
is. The riotous demonstrations against the Catholics
AMI foreign population in the Northern cities, were
all the work Of the Know-Nothing conspirators l;
is their intolerant bisory which is desecrating and
DESTROYING the Catholic churches Of New England
1t is their vulgar prejudice which, by insutfcrable
persecuon il goadng the ignorant Irish 10 violence
and outbreak. They hive inAamcd tho passions oi
sect and of race: they have disturbed the harmony
and repose of society; and by the incxorabe con-
stancv and fierce energy with which they pursue their
diabolcal purposes, they threaten TO bring serious
trouble and peril upon the country
LISA singular contradiction, that among people
who arc themselves the descendants, by single re-
move, from Foreigners; i'll u country where perfect
freedom of conscience and opinion is the boast of the
patriot, and at Nh epoch when it is thought the spi-
ri, of christian civilization has subducd the crocons
feelings of the human heart- is stransc that here aud
at this dav should spring up and flourish secret as-
socnon which derives It's energy from the most cruel
and malignant passions of our nature, which STILES
the voice of charity which proscIbes the alien and
denies the ordinary rights of hospitality TO the
srun"cr and the suiourner, and which wages rclcl;
less war auimst all the principles of civil aud reg
ous b.rtv Strange indeed that the Protestant should
practice persecution in the spirit of the lnqn'sitl"n
and should fight the Pope with the weapons OF lsnu
thus Loyola Strange that the quiet profession OF
venerable faith should be prescribed IN the name ol
creed which claims the utmost liberty Of priNatejudg
ment Strange that n philosophic contempt for tn.
trumpery of superstition should impcl men 10 cru
sadc ofconoclasm against plaster cruciixcs and mlnia
turc virgins. Stranger still that the republican should
punish the victim of intolerance with the rclencs:
rigor and stab Of despu,is. Stranscst of III
that Americans should close the door against the iu
Sitve from oppression, and should rcnouncc all sym
pu,hy or fellowship with the countrymen OF M"nlgo
mery, of Dc KalL, and Of La Fayet,c Here are III
cousstencies aud anomalies which may we'll puzzle
the philosopher with all his presumption and concct
II is idle TO say, that nothing is contemplated
than tho exclusion of the Catholic and the foreign
botn from political franchises and the rights Of ci:i-
zcnship. There are passions which il is easier Ia
infamc rllum 10 subdue. child may kindlc confa-
grafton which the mercy Of heaven only cun extin-
gush. When the people of this couuiry ure arrayei
into hostile Secs, and the passions and pre- udces ri
race are exasperacd by collisions OF creed who then
will soo,he the rage Of religious bigotry, and restore
| the reign of peace and repose! The Catholic will
no, surrender his rights without struggle. Pcrse'
cution will provoke resistance, and i'll the end the H.
berties OF the country will be lost. Does not every
man foresee this result! Already has the intolcrnn
spirit of knon NOhagism melted TO riot and blood
she'd and will be long before the scdate por
ton of the community will be startled from their iii
difference to this thing by shock which will he felt
throughout the country.
Politicians are proverhiallr reckless in the pur-
suit oi their selfish sch"mes, but thcrc is Il
daring impious disregard Of the quiet and security o
society in this appeal the religious passions of The
people which almost dehes conception.
But this hideous aud lonthcsomc association canno:
flourish on the soil Of Virginia Here men never dc
things secretly nlI.! hy stealth. Ii gentleman has
an injury redress he does it under the light o; the
sun, aud in manly way. He does not ~aylny hi'
enemy in the arkuess of night stab him III The
back. Neither the stileto tho slung-shot is Nir
guia weapon. Nirginiaus abhcr c"nccament. They
will not vote by ballot lest they appear to court
coucculmcut; but with the open front OF manhood and
with living voice, they declare their will, fearless I"
responsibility. With equal publicity and in the same
straightforward manner they pursue all their Objects
whether Of personal. political or religious NATURE
Here and there knuve may cntrsr fool into this
Know knohuS conspiracy. but all honest and intel
liscnt Nirgiiiars will regard with the contempt and
repuSnance which i's skuking and asr"ci"us rhnrnc
ter justly provokce II is not forgotten that Virginia
was the first to recognise ro'g'ouS Lrty by legSla
tive enactment, and tie first To protest against M
-. y,,-