Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-27
From the Greensburg Press,


An Irishman ON Know-Nothingism.
The following extract Of a letter from the Rev.
VIM. Flynn, an Irish Methodist preacher, Of Ken
lucky, to his son in this county, we publish by re-
quest: E
FRASKroRr, KY, January Q, 1855.
DEAR Son You wish to know my opinion about
the Know-Nothings, and il there are any in our
State. have it from good authority that there are
in Kentucky not less than 10000; and BY the
time the next election comes on there viii be at
least 100000, composed, as believe, of the best
and most patriotic citizens. look upon II as purely
an American movement---as the breaking forth
OF the great recuperatiye power of the patriotic
American people in their own defence. II am
properly informed to their intention, 1t is to do
what should have been done years ago, but better
late than never. And if they do not do II now
when Il can be done quietly by the ballot.box, the
time viii come when, # done at all, It will be done
through seas Of blood.
never did believe that a Roman Catholic could
be an American citizen, and no doubt you have
often heard me say so ! saw them naturalzed In
Philadelphia by the hundred and heard their vouch-
ers swear that they were sober and Industrious and
well inclined towards the principles of the Amer-
can government and the Constitution Of the United
States, when at the time the fellow who vouch
cd, and the gang who were swearing to be faithful
to the constitution, were all of them drunk.
could never be made to believe that American lib
erty or the constitution would weigh feather when
the interest Of their church would come in compe-
titiOn.
never was surprised at their connexion with
the Democratic party. Bishop Hughes stood as an
idle spectator in the struggle going between the
Wing and Democratic parties he didn't care fig
about one or the other, only SO far as he might
further his darling object IL was easy for him,
who was not interested In the success of either to
see which Of the two would best suit his purposes,
and the sequel fully justified his Judgment.
have been for long time fully satisfied that
the Roman Catholic church is thousand times
more guilty of treason against the government of
the United States than Arnold or Burr ever could
have been, and infinitely more dangerous; and the
elements of danger are daily increasing. Circum-
stances have changed greatly since | came to the
United States in 1919. Then passages were high,
and none but the middle and upper classes Of So
ciety could find means to come; and In addition
to that, O'Connell and his party had strong hopes
of gaining the ascendency in Ireland; and they
then said, q Let the Protestants leave and we
shall rule in Ireland"
But, thank God, in that they were disappointed,
and Professionalism yet lives in the land of my
fathers, and is wherever IL exists, the stronghold
Of freedom Now, passages are cheap, and the
Catholic interest and prospect of ruling in Europe
Is almost extinguished, and the Church is using all
her means to throw over her minions, hoping to
impose themselves upon the unsuspecting Ameri-
can people, and gradually undermine our liberties.
But they crowed too soon; their evil Vaccinations
are become so plain that their real object can no
longer be hidden, and If the great American peo-
pie do not now rebuke them they must he recreant
to the principles of liberty dearly bought by the
blood of noble ancestry and may God Almighty
nerve them for the battle M
You viii very naturally inquire what remedy
would propose. First, would 30 alter the natu-
ralization laws that not one of them should ever
become citizen; and If we cannot discriminate
between them and the Protestant emigrants let
them all stand on the same footing--they will not
make the forteth part Of the Papist emigration.
And when they understand the matter they viii
not complain, for they all know the papal Church
well that they believe IL she should gain the as
tendency 1t would be the knell Of liberty. In the
second place would bury the rotten carcass Of old
Democracy head downward, so deep that every
struggle to rse would place il farther beyond the
power OF resurrection.
remain your affectionate father,
WILLIAM FLIxS.