New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-06-07
The aKnow Nothings.n

The aKnow Nothings.n
AS we have reason to believe there are some
ct these animals in the midst Of us--perehance,
among our readers-we think proper to give
them items now and then of what is thought OF
the Order abroad. A writer in the National
Intelligencer says, in reference to the election
of Mayor of Washington, about to come off
ssThe most formidable objection to Mr.. Towers
is that he is said to belong to secret socfetu.
OF this | am unaware, but assume it to be true
Well, what then? Does not my friend, an Old
Citizen, know that the priceless gem of liberty
has first sparkled in secret societies in every
country where it has been the blessing and pro-
lection Of any portion Of our fellow men? And,
80 far from secret societies being anti repub
lican, they are only the terror Of despotism Of
some kind Nor do we now enjoy liberty alone
from this source. The Christian religion itself,
when driven by the iron heel of despotic power
from among men, was preserved in the sanctuary
of secret societies until it marched gloriously
forth to redeem the world. In q country of
liberty, secret societies are never to be dreaded.
Numerous bodies do not band together to enslave
themselves or their country. Tyrants, in some
FORM alone stand in awe of them. But, admit
that secret societies are dangerous, why except
Mr.. Maury from their influence In assuming
that Know Nothingism is hostile to foreign in
fuence and Catholicism, are we blind to the fact
that every foreign-b born citizen as well as every
Catholic will support him Why not, then, call
him the foreign or the Catholic candidate
But why these recrminationss The city will
be safe trusted to the administration Of either
of the candidates"
Another, who opposes the Order, says:
1t is publicly charged, and by the entire
mass Of our community believed, that such
secret society, with such purposes and tendencies
as have been herein characterized, exists and is
organized among us; and that it has in the field
its candidates for Mayor, for Aldermen, and for
Common Councilman. Shall it succeed And
II 1t does shall our city, during the period of its
dominion, retain the name of Washington Or
must the good among our fellow countrymen all
unite to strip that honorable designation from
us, and condemn US to be be like the organiza-
ton of our rulers, "a thing without name:
g Let each good man do all good mans duty,
and vote for no man who is not above all suspi-
cion of connection with any secret political soci-
ETY. whatever, who will hold and holds himself
unfettereG by any pledge but that oath which
the law prescribes, which is lawfully to execute
the duties Of his office to the best Of his skill and
judgment, acithout faUor or parttality.'"
Such man is the Mayor whom we now have,
and whose name is before US as q candidate for
has stood and stands.
The Union, also, devotes large space in its
columns to the subject of this new political or
der, speaking of it as " the old impostor with a
new name" Here is sample of the editors'
feelings and sentiments:
60 The Know Nothing party is really q
know nothing party if it expects to maintain
itself upon such platform as that we have re-
ferred to. Our word for it, its leaders, who
happen to be anti-Catholc, will oftener see the
inside OF tavern than q church, and are quite
ready to let foreigners vote if they will vote on
their side-promising to them, if they will, all
the Offices which the Know Nothing philoso-
ply primarily refuses to them. Let US narrow
this idea to single neighborhood. Take Ca
tholic family, for instance: what man, whether
native or foreign born, would see that family
doubtless as well behaved and as we'll sustained
as his own, degraded into an inferior What
man would not repel, with high scorn, the idea
of suspecting that family? What man would
hesitate to take that neighbor by the hand, and
invite him to his house, The bigot might and
the fool might, but not sensible and right
minded man :"
Again:
g The fact is, the name of the new party is
good one. 1t signifies a short career and ridi
culouS Gnu Men cannoV OVerturn government
in these days by a joke, Politics is too seriou
to be managed by partisans with painted face
and silly catch words An American citizel
leaves secresy to despotisms, and paraphernalis
to the stage. Know Nothing may suit tn
rowdies Of a great city, who insult the sabbatl
| with their drunken orgies, and make the nigh
hideous with their revels; but it a badge that
true man will fling from him with contempt
We cheaper our privileges by such folles, an'
help our foes to laugh at US by these crud
schemes, meaning nothing but prescription
and every thing but patriotism and common
sense"
A clerical friend, who is ''settled" ava,
s'Down East" tells us that he is often amuse,
at the shrewdness of certain parshioner of his
| who is fond of reading his Bible without note o
comment, and guessing out any obscuritie
which he may encounter. He came to his paste
one day, and asked him what in his opinion wa
the reason why the Jews who went to NEE
Christ when he was riding into Jerusalem seate
on an ass's colt, took branches Of palm trees il
their hands. He was told they intended t
honor the Saviour, etc, ''Honor him!" sal
he, :" that's all humbug! l don't believe q wor
4 Wy IL. IL II