Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-12-27
The Know-Nothings.

~! nOIulhS dDOuC I'Ic 1AuO" 'NOtLIHSS3 VI
"AmericanS." as they call themselves
The principle reasons have been that we
hardly knew what 10 say that had not
heen said, and a desire 10 seezwhat would
be the result Of the many changes the Or
der has been undergoing. We are fully
impressed with the immutabilty Of all hu-
man institutions, but we believe we never
saw any thing so gradually and continu-
ou>ly abandoned, as have been the prin-
ciplcs first assumed by the Know Nothing
party.
They first started out with War to the
hilt against Catholicism, and "a total re-
peal Of all Naturalization Laws as the
two most important planks in their plat
form, while the obligations of secresy were
considered the great chain 10, 10 ho,nd
them together. Boz =, Il
.rts3rIIlr str"',Dut the experience OF
the past few months has proven that the
American people are not entirely convinc-
ed Of the injurious effects of foreign emf
grafton, Of itself, or Of the imminent dan
ger to our institutions from the Catholic
Church. the weakest in the country; and
the secret feature Of the Order is too obi
Gus in free thinking and free-speaking
country like ours, to be tolerated for any
considerable length Of time. Changes
have therefore been gradually and conlin
uaIIy made in the platform of the Know
Nothing party, until it has assumed We
ny different shape from what it first PIE
scented in this country, and it is due to all
that their completed and contemplated
changes Of platforms should be made pub
lie. In the twelve paragraphs given as
the American platform by the Washing
t, American Organ not a word is said
against the Catholics. On the contrary.
the eighth article says:
"We shall oppose and protest against
all aJriIg0eent Of religious liberty, holding it
as t; cardinal maxim that religious fUiM is
question between each Individual and
his God, and over which no political gov
eminent or other human power, can right
fIlly exercise any supervision or control,
at any time, in any place, or in any FORM"
This is not only an abandonment Of, but
in direct opposition to, their. former anti
Catholic position, and it is principle
which has always been contended for by
the Democratic party.
The abandonment Of the secret feature
Of the Order is now being warmly dis
cussed by their prominent speakers and
writer's, and we have no doubt that 1t VIII
share the fate of the others which have
cast so much odium upon them. hon
John N. Clayton, in recent speech TOOK
decided grounds against the secret eIe-
ment, and the New York True A merlcan'
says it works injury TO the Order ana
must be repudated.'
By the platform published below from:
the Cincinnati Dollar Times. the Amer
can organ for the West. it will be seen
tNat their opposition Of all Naturalization
Laws has narrowed down TO simply a re-
form in our Naturalization Laws ! which
scarcely any person objects TO. Indeed,
with some exceptions. this neW platform
we take it from the prospectus of the
fines for 1850 is unqbjrc;ionab!e, and
has been embraced in the creed of the
Democratic party ever since we knew any
thing about it. The greatest objection
we have to it is its inefable demagogue-
ism-for while it processes particular op-
position to 'demagogues' and political
huckSters,' it pandcrs to the worst pas
sions of the most ignorant and exciLable
portion Of the people, as we'll as to the
most pure principles Of the patriotic and
good Nos. 10. 16 and II are perfect
specimens of demagogueism. Nc. is a
confirmation of the new position of the
Washington American Organ, but does
not go as far as we do on that question.
We are opposed to any thing that seeks to
unite Church and State, or to sever the
government from thepeople, its Legitimate
mastersF No. Is is cutting cOmmenta-
nv upon their own system of secret eau
cussing. But here is the new platform
read it:
GENu1xE REPUBLICAN AMERICAN PLAT
FORM. Americans should rule Ameri-
lea.
9. Equal and exact justice to all men,
WITHOUT distinction of Politics or Reli-
gion.
3. A Free Common School System.
4. A Reform in our Naturalization
Laws.
$. A publication of the politics of the
g.. is encourage American industry,
genius and patriotism,