Washington sentinel., 1854-07-18

not only by Presidents and governors, and
judges, but by the mayors of your cities and all
their subordinates in Office. Tremendous
cheers and applause.
Now fellowcitizens, permit me to inquire,
IN all kindness, how can the members OF this
political society," called know-nothings,n take
upon themselves solemn oath by which they
shall stand pledged to raise up religious test
as qualification for Office, in the very teeth of
the Constitution, by prescribing men on &C.
count of their religious faith Will they ex.
case themselves upon the ground that they did
not knoao of this clause in the Constitution I?
Cheers and laughter.
Will they tell us that Mey did not kaow the
history of their own country-that then did not
hnol0 ofthe suterings and prosecutions to which
their fathers had been subjected on account of
their religious faith-that they not kno,c that
the obligations and principles of their society
were at war with the genius of our whole repub-
lican system and in direct conflict with the prin-
ciples OF the Constitution? Loud cheering. |
Ii fhey dtd not knoD these things, surely
there was wisdom in calling themselves :" Know
NoTHINcs." Tremendous cheers and roars of
laughter.
Those who do not know should be made to
learn, and feel that the Constitution is the SUI
preme law of the land that all men who live
under 1t, and enjoy its protection, must yield
implicit obedience to its requirements, in all
Its parts and provisions, whether they like them
or not. Cheers and continued applause.
Their likes or dislikes have nothing to do
with the question. We live under a govern
ment OF laws, and the supremacy of the laws
must be maintained, no matter from what
quarter or motive the resistance may come.
Great applause.
The equality ofall the States under the Con-
sttution, and the right of the people to decide
for themselves what kind Of local and domestic
institutions they will have, are cardinal prin-
clples in the democratic creed. Loud and
enthusiastic cheers.
10 these fundamental propositions, let me
add another, which forms the corner stone in
the temple OF our liberties. 1t is, that all men
nave an lnalienable right to worship God ac-
cording to the dictates of their own conscience,
ndunder our Constitution, no man ought or can
be prescribed on account of his BIRTH place or,
OF his religious faith. Loud cheers and ap-
plause.l
These are the issues which the democratic
party of the nation have to meet and main
tain before the people in all the States. Let
no consideration of partizan policy or tempo
rary advantage induce us to swerve hairs
breadth from our principles. If we meet the
Questions fairly and directly, and fight the bat
tie boldly, and should even suffer temporary
defeat, yet we will have the proud satisfaction
OF knowing that we have saved our honor at
the same time that glorious triumph awaits
US in the future. Applause.
Then, fellow democrats, let us stand by our
our arms, and be ready to fight the allied
forces of abolitionism, whigism, nativeism, and
religious intolerance, under whatever name
and on whatever field they may present them
selves. Enthusiastic cheers and tremendous
applause.
And, it, after struggling as our forefathers
struggled for centuries in their native land |
against civil and religious persecution, we and
our children shall be finally borne down and |
trampled under the heel of despotism, we can
still follow their example-hee to the wilder
ness, and find an asylum in Nebraska, where
the principles of selfgovernment have been
hrmy established in the organic act which |
recently passed Congress.
Tremendous shouts of applause Cheer after
cheer for. Douglas-cheers for Nebraska
cheers for the principles of selfgovernmcnt in
The midst Of which, Mr.. Douglas retired from
The stand.