Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-09-04
tn. rnoulr.r and the Know No,hlns..

The Enquirer and the Know Nothlnss
The Enquirer Of Saturday morning has long and
carefully prepared leader the subject of the Know
Nothngs, in continuation of its article of Friday
The object Of these articles is to warn the country
against the dangerous tendency of this new party and
to array all good citizens against the effort which is
being made, so says the Enquirer, to prescribe one
portion Of the community because OF its religious
faith.
1t Is evident that our neighbor, the Enquirer, is
under very strong impressions on this subject and is
striving to put down this organization. II is not
for anticipate the objects or surnise as to the
consequence of the Know Nothing organization. We
are not of that order. We do not profess to know
anything OF their secret Vaccinations, nor do We
mean enter the list the advocate OF their course
or the apologist for their associations. But pub
lie journalists,-onc Of the agencies Of poru'
lar information,-we have disposition to
main silent the subject 1t is becom-
ing important element Of political power, and one
worthy of serious consideration insomuch as the
Enquirer represents it involving question OF les
ligious liberation. Certainly this is great question:
and should be considered with deliberation previous
70 any great popular move intended to influence go-
vernmenta action on it In this view consider It,
and shall treat it accordingly whenever the question
present itself.
The Enquirer presents the issue in this matter Is
Protestant influence against the Catholic religion
Why our neighbor has given this color to the Know
Nothing organization we are not advised. We have
been informed, through the public prints that have
undertaken speak for this order, that it oppo
stion to the political influence and poner which
Catholics seek exercise and not at all to the Caho
lie Church, a, Church, in which the Know Moth
ings are engaged. And we have been induced TO be-
ieve from the lights before US, that the great object
Of this association to purge the country without
reference to party lines, geographical boundares,
OF the hitherto banrful influence Of the ack nowled ed
existence Of foreign influence in this country a
b isis Of political and party organization. 1t is hut
{ D we'll known that the demagogue has rested ia
pes, and placed his expectations of preermen;
II: foreign vote, in many parts of the counry--ts
every appliance has been used to unite The foreigRe
such, in n compact body certain political issue.
New this is in the highest degree reprehensibe and
vet no candid mind informed of the facts will deny
that the foreign in this country has been assdu
ously courted by the demagogues Of both parties.
We will not disguise the fact, that in this respect
and to this extent sympathize with the Know
Nothing influence. Ii foreigners, in this country
protected by our fag-encouraged By our citizens
supported from the OF our lands and com
merce, seek, general system union of their in
fuence at the polls cannot well see why il is so
pernicous offence for the citizens Of this country
to seek to counterfeit their combination By n similar
Organization. The period has arrived when the peo-
of America should teach the heartless demagoyre
and selfish political aspirant that when he seeks
foreign influence, at the polls, they will check tho
seducer and the seduced by once putting down all
and every such assault upon the source Of popular
action
But the Enquirer thinks that the act Of religious
federation is invaded, and that the day OF proscrip
ton for opinion sake is about return. Indeed and
what has its party been doing, wherever, and when
ever, it had the power but to prescribe for opinion
sakeP 1t has ever acted upon system of relentless
prescription towards its political opponents and even
now the tyranical mandate of party has gone forth
from the Pierce Administration, and the work has
been commenced, of prescribing Know Nothngs "for
opinion sake" 1t is too late now for our ne,ghbor T.,
talk about the evils of prescription for opinion sake
But them why did the Enquirer in its number of the
2Sth Of August, make the issue of DsaO:racy owe =
ride this great question of religious federation ?" II
then said much that it Indifferent as TO the
anity,or non.afinity Of Messrs Wise Leake Le,cher
&c candidates for the GubernatOral nom nation " TIA
the Know Nothing organization. 1t was enough for j,
toknow that those worthless were good ctiz ms and
true men,, and it would stop to inquire how they
or any of them stood on this now great question of
religious liberation
Verify there must be screw loose somewhere
The garng inconsistency oil those antagonistic posi-
tons Of the Enquirer needs explanation We again
ask Will the Enquirer support Know Nothing
Democrat, or one who approves of the organization
rs a candidate for Officer We await its replv and
feel curious to how it will reconcile its article If
the 2sth ult. with the one of Saturday.