The true Democrat., 1854-09-13
Religion and Politics.
Letter from Robert Tyier.


 1 To THE EDITORS OF THE ARGUs-On Tues day evening last l received slip cut from the Evening Bulletin newspaper of July 8th, pur- porting-under the caption, Religion and Pol ltlcs"-to be an epistolarv communication to the editor of that paper from a correspondent over the signature, "An American Citizen" The slip ln question was sent to me anonv- mously. and did not at the moment attract my attention, beyond casual glance at its contents. l have since ascertained from whom 1t came. and have been requested to make such public comment on it as the matter of its statement might suggest Although it is my misfortune to differ with the friend who has honored me with his notice on this occasion on most politi- cal questions, and especially in reference to the present subject matter, l readily acknowledge hls full claim to my personal confidence and respect; and further, having no disposition to conceal my opinions on this subject, l shall not hesitate to express them with entire free dom.
 In the first place, let me say a word or two on the general subject. It is evident that the communication signed " An American Cit- gen." IS intended as an apology for and de- fence of Know Nottingham. The apparent candor of It's proposition, and its moderation of tone and style, have been adopted merely for a purpose. It is in point of fact weak at 1 tempt to excuse and defend what cannot be justified on any true American principle, and what can never be tolerated with safety in any portion of our country. For it is perfectly plain to my mind that if every bare and improved assertion of the Bulletins correspondent were true and doubly true all that he alleges would not excuse, much less justify, the usurpation and actual appropriation of the functions and pow CTS of government in this free State by sworn secret political society, which disdains or fears to make the public avowal of single principle on which its organization Is based. If our in- stitutions are ri ght, such a state of things must be wrong. It Is not possible that any citizen in sane mind believes that those who founded our social policy and made our constitution and laws, ever intended that the government of Pennsylvania should be conducted under the im- mediate auspices and control of secret polti- cal society-a political society representing a portion only of our people-making no public avowal ofany principle or object, while its prin- ciples and objects-wh hatever they may be- are only known (except by differences or guess work) to those initiated in its mysteries Who cannot perceive that if such society succeeded in appropriating the powers of government, that consequences immediately arise of the most ominions and menacing character. What is the precise condition of those who may be elected to office under such circumstances? They no longer remain, as our constitution and laws re- qure, the servants of the whole people, but be- come the mere agents of caba unknown and responsible to the laws; and the government itself in all its brances is converted by the same influence into the creature of worse than the Star-chamber Inluisition. Is not this low tbop any intelligent American citizen with proper feelings of patriotism and an ordinary regard for his true interest, assume Know Nottingham to be right remedy for any political grievance whatever?
 At this very time too, while the Bulletin let ter writer is indulging in his apology, there IS imminent danger of a practical realization of government conducted on secret society prn- ciple. Already has Know Nottingham seized It's first spoil and trophy in the city of Phla- delphia, and our public offices are filled with its sworn agents. And not only is Phladel- phla under its control, but this secret society confidently expects to elect, in October next, a Know Nothing Governor, Know Nothing Judge ot the Supreme Court, and Know Nothing Danal Commissioner. If such should be the case, the grave importance of that con- ulIloH ol CulhSo Call only De eSClmated Dy con- pretending the fact and weighing that fact in all its bearings, that every Know Nothing elect ed to office has already had an oath admins tered to him, of the nature of which the pub- lie has no knowledge, except that it is political, in comparison with which the constitutional oath of office necessarily becomes secondary, or, it may be, is taken with mental reserva. tion In view of such means and results ac- companying and following the trlumphs of Know Nottingham; even if the evils complain ed of by the BuAetin's correspondent really ex- isted requiring redress, the people of this State should never be persuaded to resort to reme- dy that initiates against public law and public liberty, that is utterly inconsistent with our so- cial theory-and can be justly described as be- ing from beginning to end political conspl- racy against our honest, just and noble Amerl- can institution. No case has yet been presen- ted or can ever arise to which remedy, at once so preposterous and dangerous, ought to be ap- piled. In truth, if every member of such so-