Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-10-01

iOuA SuC iuuuCuCC III tiiC iuLN Vi ihC Naih cIiAH
Of know-nothingism? Is it necessary for patri-
otto wings to resort to them, when the doors of
the democratic party are wide open, and we
are ready to welcome you with warm hearts
and open hands? No, no. But what are
the principles by which these men profess to
be actuated, and what constitutes their creed ?
If understand the fundamental doctrines Of
the order, they are First, that no man born
without the United States shall enjoy the pri-
yileges and immunities guaranteed to other
citizens; second, that no man protesting the
Roman Catholic religion shall be eligible to
any Office of honor or trust under the govern
ment
These two propositions embrace the funda-
mental and all-controlling principles Of their
creed. One looks to the Acknowledgement OF
large and meritorious class Of freemen who,
though born abroad, have chosen as the home
of their adoption the land of our free, and libe-
raj, and happy republic. The other strikeo at
our holy religion; it strikes at the freedom OF
thought, and the right to worship God accord
ing to the dictates of conscience. And is it
possible that at this enlightened period of our
country's history, with all the experience we
have had under the liberal workings of our
system of government, and with the influence
which our example has had upon the oppressed
nations Of the world, there are those among us,
claiming to be American citizens, who avow
such intolerant and illiberal doctrines? They
find no resting-place in the Constitution Of the
country. They are not the doctrines of our
venerated fathers, who bequeathed to us that
sacred instrument. Suppose their organization
powerful enough to enable them to elect
President of the United States; suppose it pos
sible for them to obtain a majority of the mem
bers of the two houses of Congress, and thus
acquire the control of all the machinery of gov
eminent / appeal to any candid know-noth-
ing, if there be one within the sound of my
voice, to say what his party would do under
such circumstances. With the power of Con-
gress in your hands, and President to sane
ton its acts, what will you do? Will you carry
out the principles you have sworn in your
lodges to observe? Will you solemnly deter
Congress who was not born on American soil?
Yes, yes, yes, and No, no, from various parts
Of the House.
That is frank, gentlemen. You have avowed
to me, before this immense audience, your pur-
pose. You declare to me that you will trample
upon the sacred principles of the Constitution
of your country, mol which was established
at the cost of the blood of your fathers. You
avow that you viii trample upon and annihilate
that feature in the Constitution which allows an
adopted citizen, after he shall have been natur-
allied seven years, to sit in the House of Re
representatives., or, when he shall have been
naturahzed nine years, to be eligible to the
Senate. And this purpose you say you viii
carry out You must 60 step further, fyou
are true to the principles of your creed you
must trample upon and violate that clause OF
the Constitution which requires that mo reli-
gious test shall ever be required as qualhca-
ton to any Office or public trust under the
United States You must strike down this
feature of that sacred instrument and prescribe
test, Protestant test. You must say that
no Catholic shall ever occupy the presidential
chair, shall never serve as the head of de-
partment, or sit as member in either Hall of
Congress All this you must do, and it cannot
be done without violence TO the most sacred
features of the great charter of American iber-
ties. These features in our Constitution have
not only made our government dear TO the
hearts of every liberal patriot throughout the
world, but under their benign operation they
have elevated us, Individually and collectively,
to a condition Of happiness and prosperity en-
joyed by no other people on the face of this
broad earth. And are there those before me,
who, with ruthless hands, would tear those
features from that sacred Instrument If
there are, let me rebuke that fell spirit which
animates them, by referring to the sentiments
Of Washington.
i have before me a correspondence which
took place in August, 1890, between the mem
bers Of the Hebrew congregation Of Newport,
Rhode Island, and General Washington, then
president. And now, at this very moment
when that people, prescribed and prosecuted in
al other quarters Of the world, in, peace, and
quiet, and unmolested, are holding in this city
and elsewhere their anniversary, and worship
ing the God Of Abraham, in their own way and
and according TO their ancient forms, i will
read their address TO Washington, and his pa
triotic reply. They are enough to make the
blush Of shame mantle the cheek Of that mad
man who, for purposes of mere political triumph,
would, Vandallike, lay his hands upon the Con-
stitution 10 wrest from it those features which
are here so much extolled. But cannot be.
lieve the Know-notbiDg sincere i cannot re-
alize the fact, that any American citizen can
be 50 lost 10 every sense Of patriotic duty, as
seriously to think Of carrying into effect, in all
their wicked extent the principles Of that odious
creed. Bot listen to what the Hebrews said to
President Washington:
aDeprived, as we have heretofore been, Of
the invaluable rights Of free citizens, we now
with deep sense Of gratitude to the Almighty
Disposer Of all eyents) behold government
erected by the majesty OF the people" But the
majesty Of Know-nothingism would destroy
that holy temple-would subvert the sacred
principles Of that government-"a government
which to big6ry gives no sanction
Thank God il is so.
TO persecution no assistance; but generously
affording TO ALL liberty Of conscience and inn
munities Of tizenship-deeming every one,
Of whatever nation, tongue, or language, equal
parts Of the great governmental machine.
This so ample and extensive federal Union,
whose base is philanthropy, mutual confidence,
and public virtue, we cannot but acknowledge
to he the work OF the GREAT Con, who ruleih
in the armies of Heaven, and among the inha-
bitants Of the earth, doing whatsoever 10 Him
seemeth good.
"For all the blessings Of civil and religious
liberty which we enjoy, und n an equal and
benign administration, we desire TO send up
our thanks TO the Ancient Of Days, the great
preserver OF men, beseeching him that the
angel who conducted our forefathers through
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