Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-06
From the Times and Gazette.


could not help thinking while Mr. Wise was
speaking in Wheeling, on Saturday last, that his
objections to acknowledgment applied with in
creased force against Romanism, with the add
tional objections that Romanism is under the ex.
elusive control of foreign priests, who are Know
Nothings as to the social relations and love of
country, being the common enemy of all govern
ments, and asserting its claim to superior author
ity over the governments Of all the world by pre-
tended delegated spiritual power; whereas Know
Nothngism Is but voluntary association, with
bylaws and rules binding only on those who sub
scribe to them. Bylaws and rules adopted, too,
by free and independent people for their own
use, TO give efficiency TO the purposes Of their own
organization, which they had a perfect right to
assume as a necessary attribute OF free people
The officers and directors Of this Association are
own citizens elected 10 their respective Offices
Of trust and responsibility by the suffrages of their
tellow-citizens who have common interest in
everything that relates to the welfare of their coun
try, and who will yield to no one in attachment to-
and defence Of the great principles of the Const-
tuition. But Romanism is unwnranted assumption
OF despotc power over the rights OF others Let
any one at all familiar with the history of Roman
ism wherever Il has had power, follow Mr. Wise in
his attack on Know-Nothngism and substitute
Romanism and Romanists where the corresponding
Know-Nothing terms occur and he viii be much
surprised at the appropriateness and force Of his
language when so applied.
Another thought would also introduce itself,
that Ia, that II Mr. Wise had devoted as much
time and zeal 10 understand and dissect the pot-
cal bearings Of Romanism on the liberties and hap
piness Of our country, he would be, like the Apos
tie Paul, more earnest defender Of the causes he
now labors so hard, but vainly, to pull down.
In Romanism he would see a viper warmed into
life and activity at fircsdes and in our bosoms
by mistaken but well meant kindness, seeking
a TN
and now there, upon the bosom, or family that has
given Il refuge and refinement And that is not
all, he would then recognise in the Known othing
organization the practical carrying out Of the first
law Of nature, self preservation, and the only suf
fcient means 70 defeat his suakeship's purpose
Mr. Wise expects 10 see monster in the Know.
Nothing organization, but II is monster Of his
own creation. He never viii be able TO find il to
crush with his terrific heel, until he looksinto Ro-
manism. He viii then see that Know N nottingham
Ia the offspring OF necessity, and dictated by the
purest patriotism. Drive the monster Catholicism
into the secret caves and dens from whence Il
comes and where II concocts its hellish plans and
revels on everything that Is sacred and dear in the
social civil, and religious relations Of society, and
Know nottingham viii disappear
would treat the adherents Of Romanism, and
those who give il aid and comfort with respect
and consideration as the dupes Of the greatest and
most dangerous humbug the world ever saw. And
when Henry A. Wise, the friend Of my father
and who In my younger days had been led 70 rev.
erence, can be so far seduced a. 10 take arms IN
defence OF such an internal foe, II becomes every
patriot and lover Of his country TO consider vel
before he dsposites his vote.
Mr.. Wise In his said speech made some remark.
able somersets He admits in substance the
charges against Jesuitism and Romanism, and then
plants himself In the front rank Of its protectors
to allow II liberty to do It's mischief BY what law
he expects to clear himself from the responsibility
OF the injuries that win result in consequence Il
civil and religious liberty In this free and happy
country, he does not inform us In one instant M
Il doom on all Popes, and the next, he sets nj
himself Pope, deposing every poor minister o
Christ who is 80 unfortunate as not TO shut his
eyes TO the enormities that have grown out Of the
secret society OF Romanism, and to stop his ear,
TO the wall Of wo that has como up from ever
land and household where that system had regneC
supreme.
In one instant he would get down in reverend,
and hold the knees Of every minister Of the differ
ent evangelical denominations, and the next HI
would dsfranchise all who use their civil aud pot
zeal rights according 10 the dictates Of their owr
conscience for the preservation OF their nalenabl,
rights now enjoyed
In one instant he stands forth the champion o.
liberty, the next wo TO the man who does not use
that liberty as his superior wisdom dictates. And
IL this Henry A. Wise Did / hear hin, ,,oh,
Correct me, ye witnesses that heard him. I woulf
have IL otherwise Truly, If we could see ourselye,
as others see us, II would make US more cautiou
and consistent.
The remark of the French physician In respeo
70 our habits In eating and drinking, Is applicable
fear, In other respects, that we Americans are Al
Contradictions INproArop.