Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-05-31
SPIRIT OF THE MORNING PRESS.

terms.
SPIRIT OF THE MORNING PRESS.
The Iatellagencer, of to-day, has no edi-
torial. 1t is filled with communications,
extracts from exchanges, and news items.
Among its communications, we notice
several on the subject of know Nothing
ISM" discussing both sides of the ques-
ton. One of the writers, who favors the
Know Nothings, says:
But the most formidable objection to Mr.
Towers is that he is said to belong to secret
society Of this / am unaware, but assume it
TO be true. Well, what then Does not my
friend, an Old Citizen, know that the priceless
gem Of liberty has first sparkled in secret So
cieitss IN every country where it has been the
blessing and protection of any portion of our
fellow-nen2 And, so far from secret societies
being sbti-republican, they are only the terror
of despOtism Of some kind. Nor do we now
enjoy liberty alone from this source The
Christian religion itself, when driven by the
iron heel OF despOtic power from among men,
was preserved in the sanctuary Of secret socie-
ties until it marched gloriously forth to redeem
the world In country of liberty, secret So
cleties are never to be dreaded. Numerous
selves or their country. Tyrants, in some form
alone. stand in awe of them. But. admit that
secret societies are dangerous. why except Mr.
Mauly from their influence In assuming
that Know NOthingism is hostile to foreign in
fuence and Catholicism, are we blind to the
fact that every foreign born citizen as we'll as
every Catholic will support him Why not
. then, call him the foreign or the Catholic
candidate But why these denominations
The city will be safe trusted to the admipistra-
ton of either of the candidates
Another. who opposes the order, says:
1t is publicly charged, and by the entire
mass of our community believed, that such
secret society, with such purposes and tenden-
cies as have been herein characterized, exists
and is organised among US; and that it has in
the field its candidates for Mayor, for Alder
men. and Common COuncilmen. Shall il sue
coed And if it does, shall our city, during
the period of its dominion, retain the name of
Washington or must the good among our fel-
low cOuntrymen all unite to strip that honora-
bic designation from US, and condemn US to
be like the organization of our rulers 20 thing
without a Nance
Let each good man do all good man s du-
ty, and vote for no man who is not above
suspicion OF connexiOn with any secret pOliti-
cal society whatever, who will hold and holds
himself unfettered by any pledge but that
fully to execute the duties OF his office to the
best of his skill and judgment, arithom taror
or paTtfaltty."
Such a man is the Mayor whom we now have.
and whose name is before US as candidate for
reelection on such ground and on no other
he has stood and stands.
The Union, also, devotes q large space
in it's columns to-day on the subject of
this new political order, speaking of it as
the old impostor with a new name. "
Here is a sample of the editors feelings
and sentiments
1.-THE 'know-Nothing' party is really
DOw-DothiDg party if it expects to maintain
itself upon such a platform as that We have
referred to. Our word for it, its leaders, who
happen to be anti-Catholic, will oftener see
the inside Of tavern than q church, aud are
quite ready to let foreigners vote if tliey will
vote on their side-promising to them, if they
will all the Offices which the Known oihing'
philosophy primarily refuses to them Let us
narrow this idea to a single neigh borhood
Take Catholic family, for instance: what
man. whether native or foreign-born. would
see that family. doubtless as we'll behaTed and
as well-sustained as his own, degraded into an
INFERIOR What man would not repel with
nigh sc0rn, the idea of suspecting that family
What man would hesitate to take that neigh
Dor by the band, and invite him 10 his house ,
The bigot might, and the fool might, but not
sensible and right-minded man"
Again:
Z" The fact is, the name Of the new party is
good one 1t signifies short career and a ride.
uious end Men cannot overturn governments
IN these days by joke. Politics is too seri.
Gus TO be managed by partisans with painted
faces and silly catch-words. An American
citizen leaves secrecy to despotisms, and par
aphernalia to the stage. Know Nothing ma Y
suit the rowdies OF a great city, who insult the
sabbath with their drunken orgies, and make
the ght hideOus with their reys,s but il is a
badge that true man will fling from him with
contempt We cheaper our privileges by such
follies, and help orr foes TO laugh at US by
these crude schemes, meaning nothing but
prescription, and everything but patriotism
and common sense"
The Sentinel has long article on the
subject Of the Senate printing, and argues
It's own case with all the unrehecting
zeal of new candidate for legal honors
but it should have borne in mind the old
saving, that when lawyer undertakes
to manage his own case, he has a simple
ion for client.