Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1854-09-16
NASnlNGINN M KNOW An1nlNaISN.


Very appropriately indeed, says me
Cincinnati LugHycy, do those midnight
conspulors and prosctIplonIs,s term
themselves kuow.NolhIngs Tor they seem
to be ignorant Of the history Of the coun.
try, often speak with pretended ,enem.
ton Of the name and principles Of the II.
lusrlous Washington, than whom no man
was ever more opposed to their toue's
and manner Of carrying them out, as his
acts and writings show. The church.
burning proscriptIunsls are in favor Of
not allowing foreigners to vote at all
whether Catholics or Proiestants--but
Washington, as President, approved the
law allowing them the right of suffrage
in five years. The midnight conspirotors
are in favor Of a religious test for Office,
but Washington, as President Of the Con.
venton which made the Constitution OF
the United States, signed his name to an
instrument which expressly forbjds it,
| He even went further than that, and IN an
address TO the Catholics of the United
States, written in December, 1857, ac.
knowIedges their services, and leslfcs to
their devotion TO the cause of American
liberty in the following language;
Gas mankind become more liberal, they
will be more apt to allow that all those
who conduct themselves as worhey mem,
bers Of the community are equally enti-
tied to the protection Of civil government,
| | hope ever 10 see America among the
foremost nations in examples Of Justice
and liberty and presume that your iel.
low. citizens will not forget the patriotic
p. part which you took in the accomplish.
ment of their revolution aud the establish.
mcnt OF their government, or the impor.
taut assistance which they received from
nation in which the Roman Catholic re.
hgion is proiessd.
81 thank you, gentlemen, for your kind
concern for me. While my life and my
, health shall conline, in whatever situation
| may be, it shall be my constant endeav
or to Justify the favorable sentiments yol
are pleased to express.o of my conduct; ant
may the members Of your society in Amer
, ica, animated alone by the pure spirit o
Christianity, and still conducting them
SelUes as the faithful SUBJECT Of our tre
gOoerment enjoy erery temporal anil SPlr
! ituaI felicity.
GEORGE WAsHi NGToN."
How severely does the language w
have quoted above reflect ubon the Know
Nothing conspratorS Of the present day
How different in its spirit from the fierce
intolerance and bigo,ry Washington
bearing his testimony that the Catholic,
! had conducted themselves "as the fnithu
e ubiects Of our free government" say
, that all those who act as worthy member
of the community are equally entitled tc
its protection. Washington lurthermor
/, says :-"l hope ever 10 see Amerc
G among the foremost nations in example
, OF Justice and liberty" But we have
. secret society among us doing all II col
20 Illustrate the hopes, in this respect, G
: the Father Of his Country. When, il
a connection with the above, we remembc
Y the fact that Washington, in his Fare
we'll Address, warned his countryme
against countenancjng secret political SO
;, cieties, we think all will agree with US i
d stigmatzjng that Know, Nothing who ap
!. peaIs to Washington as authority for hi
O conduct either a gross ignoramus or
b designing knavc.