The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-09-20


whose opinions win make them obnoxious the views
mark them with the suspicious of the new order
From the Pbiade phia Argus, sept ls
THE TEST OF "THE SIRES OF l776," AND THE
TEST OF 'sTHE SONS OF 1854" OR WHO ARE
AMERICANS?
We submit to the public the proof that the revolution
AIRY sres of lT7G would have suffered kao.o-nongs
alias The Sons of the Sres of 76 hold Office in this
Satethat they would have classed them with the tories
who kept their allegiance King George and absolutely
would have trusted them to sit members of the
venon which made the first constitution for this State
On the 10Th of May l77G the Continental Congress
commended the total suppression Of all authority under the
King Of Great Britain and that the several colonies should
adopt suitable governments
Pursuant to that recommendation the deputies tninety
in number) from twelve counties in this State met in
Carpenters Hail. in Philadelphia June ls, l176, and
continued by adjournment till June 10th. OF the commit
tee from this city Dr. Benjamin Franklin, Dr. Bena-
min Rush. Col afterwards governor and chief ustice)
McKean and Messrs Bayard Brewster and others They
resolved that convention should be called TO form
government June goth, and, having declared who
should vote for members of the constitution they proceed
ed on the following day to determine the qualifications
necessary for the members themselves;
FRIDAY, June H. l776.
Resoloed unanimously, That any person qualified to
for members of assembly by the laws of this province
be elected member of the convention provided that he
shall have resided least year Immediately preceding
the said election in the city county for which he shall
be chosen and shall before he takes his seat in
ton, take the following oath or affirmation:
Oath required By the Sres Of 1776.
a. -, do declare that do not hold myself bound
to bear allegiance to George the Third King of Great
Britain &c, and that | will steadily and firmly, at all
times promote the eectual means according to the
best Of my skill and knowledge oppose the tyrannical
proceedings of the King and Parliament of Great Britain
fish government in this province the authority of the
people only &c that will oppose any measure that shall
may in the least interfere with obruct the religious
principles practices of of the good people of this
province, as heretofore enjoyed"
Thus the Pennsylvania fathers Of the American revolu
on-the Sires of l176voted unanimously to suffer
any to be member of the convention to frame
sttnon for this State until he had taken oath to OPP
pose any measure that should in the least interfere with
obstruc the religious principles practices Of any
Now read the foowing
Oath required By the sestyed sons Of the Sres Of l776.
also promise and that whenever may vote at
election that shall in all be given
born citizens only and that will ever seek the political adj
paaceme Of those who good and true members of
this order; and that will appoint to office, If that power
should be vested in but those who such
and who with their parents and shall have
been born the American SOIL and of parents hostile to the
Catholic religion
Who Americans and sustain American prnc-
pes The Americans of s E MSaa nj re- eas
with anothers religious rights; the know -nothngs do
themselves and require others to interfere with such rights
The Americans of l776 required oath TO be taken by
those elected the convention that they would interfere
with the religious rights of any man. the knownothings
require oath that their members will interfere with and
deprive certain Of their egous rights we have
further and equally strong proof that the knownothngs
antAmcrican and that their principles hostile to
those of I" the Sires of lT76n
When the Pennsylvania convention met Franklin was
chosen be its president and September 2s l7Ts the
members unanimously adopted constitution, in the pre-
ae to which they declare that all government ought to
be instituted enable the individuals who compose il to
enjoy their natural rights &C. nd being fully convinced
that it is indispensable duty establish such original
principles of government will best promote the general
happiness of the people Of this State and their postery
and provide for future improvements without partially for
prejudice against any particular class sect denoina
tion of men mhasoecer do by virtue of the authority
vested u.s. &c. declare and establish the following deca
ration of rights and frame of government The second
section of the declaration of rights is in these Words
That all men have natural and iralienabe right to
worship Almighty God according to the dictates OF their
own consciences and understanding and that man
ongh OF right be compelled TO attend any place of
religious worship erect support any place of
maintain any ministry contrary to against his own
free will and cohscnt nor can any man who acknow!
edges the being of God be justly deprived or abridged of
any civil right citizen account of his religious ssa
1aenfs peculiar mode Of worship Ne
And the seventh and fortysecond sections are these
words
VII Ihat all elections ought 10 he Tree, and that 0U
men, having sufficient evident interest with
ard attachment to- the community, have right to elect
officers, rLEcrTD OFFICE
XLii Fiery forsigae Of good character who to
settle in this State having first taken an oath or arma
ton Of allegiance to the same may purchase by other
ns acquire hold, and transfer land other real
estate and after years residence shall be deemed
denizen thereof and entitled to al he rls ola natu
a-born subject Of the State except that he shall be
capable of being elected representative until after two
years residence
Now TO all these American Fundamental principles off
government established by the Sires OF l776 the know
uotinFa are opposed They partial to sects and
ss3sdieea 9gaiiss gee denomination and they
are not opposed 70 any particular class whatsoever 1T is
only because they opposed sry class Of natwased
,iisea bat Catholics Ia particular They hold that
men sgy he aBygS and dprired Of their cpd rights
a citizens only of their religions sentiments or
peculiar mode OF religious aeOgshp and that instead of all
citizens having right 30 be elected into Office they deny
ha, any sipo-born citizen who is Catholic any
-siised crcn whether Protestant Catholic has any
tight 10 be elected of appointed 10 Office
When Washington, in his Farewell Address, said you
are citizens ny birth choice OF coan,y-that
ountry has a right concentrate your affections" he inn
,lied thar those citizens by choice well by birth had
reciprocal claim their country be treated with
Common fairness that, ia the language of Jefferson they
zhi entertain due OF their equal right TO the
q their tsenl,ies the acquisition of their in
lnsry and 10 the honor and confidence of their fellow
zsns resulting not from birth, but from their actions
md the public OF them Blu, the Sons OF 1854 claim
know more than their Sire, Of ls76 and that they are
scr than Washington himself When Jefferson congrat-
lated the people Of the United States upon having ban
ole