Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-05
From the Richmond Enquirer.
Know Othings.

L
verted upon the principle supposed to be
ayowed by this new party, of hostility to Cath
| olics and the Catholic religion. We showed
that their doctrine was antagonistic to our bill
OF rights, and to the act for establishing reli-
| gious freedom, which declared "that no man
shall be compelled TO frequent or support any
religious worship, place, or ministry whatso-
ever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, mo.
Tested, or burthened, in his body or goods, nor
| shall otheT1cise suffer on account of his reli-
gious opinions or belief; but that all men shall
be free to profess, and by argument to main
| tain, their opinions in matters of religion and
| that the same shall in no wise diminish, en-
large, or affect their civil capacities We
| showed that the doctrine of the Know-nothings,
that Catholics should not be permitted to hold
Office, was direct violation of the principle
held so sacred by our fathers; and that any Sc
cret organization, for affecting a purpose at
war with the rights announced by this act,
ought not to prevail. And we beg to enforce
this view by quoting the opinion of the Gen
eral Assembly, as announced in 1885:
Sand though we well know that this As.
sembly, elected by the people for the ordinary
purposes of legislation only, have no power to
restrain the acts Of succeeding assemblies, con-
stituted with powers equal to our own, and
vocable, would be no effect in law; vet, we are
free to declare, and do declare, that the rights
hereby asserted are of the natural rights of
mankind; and that if any act shall be hereaf-
ter passed to repeal the present, or to narrow
its operation such act will be an infringement
of natural right"
1t is manifest that the Know.nothngs can
only carry out this principal by pledging to each
other never to vote for any man for office who
avows himself Catholic, or believes in the
Catholic religion, and if they should become
majority, they will thus effectually infringe
these natural rights of mankind. Or if they
proceed one step further, and elect men to the
legislatures who will pass such prohibitory acts,
they will be guilty of this Infringement more
eheetually, and thus tyrannize over the con-
science of men and establish disability at war
with the Bill of Rights, and with the best in
terests Of the State.
But we are not content to rest our objections
to this new party upon this principle alone If
we understand their doctrines, they are opposed
to any foreigner holding Office under the fede.
raj, State, or municipal governments, through
out the length and breadth of this entire coun-
try.
Now, so far as Virginia is concerned, this
party is fighting the mereS shadow in creation.
What Office in the State is held by foreigner
executive, Legislative, or judicial? Nay,
what office is not held by native? Through
out the State, what Office in the counties is held
by a foreigner? There may be one or two
naturallzed citizens in some petty Office not
above the grade of constable in one or two of
the cities. but this is as much as can be pointed
out. What necessity exists for secret society
here to fight such a shadow? Banded together
Il Il ol.,, H.. IL
riding oaths to government and constitutions,
to effect great object of imagined good, and
to prevent a great evil which nobody can find,
nobody can see, and nobody has heard as ex-
listing here!
But it may come here, and we will prevent
it, say the Know-nothings. Not believing it
right or expedent to carry out such principle,
we combat it in the threshold.
BY the Constitution of the United States
Congress have power to establish uniform
rule Of naturalization" Congress has exer-
cised this power; and when a foreigner COM
plies with the law of Congress, he becomes a
citizen Of the United States, "enttled to all
privileges and immunities Of citizens in the
several States" Is the law Of the United
States too loose, indefinite, or wanting in any
particular to guard the country?
1t provides generally "that any alien being
free white person may be admitted to become
citizen OF the United States, or any Of them,
on the following conditions, and not otherwise
First, that he shall have declared on oath or az
firmation, before the supreme, superior, district
or circuit court Of some one Of the States, or Of
the territorial districts Of the United States, or
a circuit or district court of the United States,
two years at least before his admission, that it
was bona fde his intention to become citizen
of the United States, and to renounce forever
all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince,
potentatecstslsS or sovereignty whatever, and
particularly W name, the prince, potentate,
state, or sovereignty, whereof such alien may,
at the time, be citizen or subject. Secondly,
that he shall, at the time of his application to
be admitted, declare, on oath or affirmation,
before some one 9f the courts aforesaid, that he
will support the Constitution Of the United
States, and that he doth absolutely and entirely
renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity
to every foreign prince, potentate, state, or
sovereignty whatever, and particularly by
name, the prince, potentate, state, or sover-
eighty whereof he was before citizen or sub
iect; which proceedings shall be recorded BY
the clerk. Thirdly, that the court admitting
such alien shall be satisfied that he has resided
within the United States. Eve wears at least.
and within the State or Territory where sucb
court is at the time held one year at least; and
i shall further appear to their satisfaction that
during the time, he has behaved as a man of
good moral character, attached to the princi |
Piles of the Constitution of the United States
and well disposed to the good order and happi-
ness OF the same provided, that the oath ofthe |
applicant shallIn no case be allowed to prove |
his residence. Fourthly, that in case the alien |
applying to be admitted to citizenship shall
have borne any hereditary title or been of any
OF the orders of nobility, in the kingdom or
state from which he came, he shall, in addition
to the above requisites, make an express renun.
citation OF the title or order of nobility in the
&c.
Now, If this law be not specific, or if it be
lmpollhc or against the interests Of the United
States, why not openly and manfully oppose it2
Is 1t necessaryto have a secret organization for
the purpose? Do these Know-nothings con.
template taking away from naturalized citizens
the nights thus granted them by the Constitu.
ton and the law made in pursuance thereof