The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-02-22

and instructions, for manly discussion and in
tercourSe upon the principles of equality and
| freedom.
BY the way, l am sorry that there is any
move among our Anti-Slavery friends in Ohio to
initiate the dark and secret machinery of Know
Nothingism, by getting up counter lodges
No! my dear friends, | would say, come out
IN open daylight, armed with the weapons Of
truth and Justice. Come out in open protesta
| ton. And, as Luther and Calvin were the
heralds of an opposition which tore almost
half of Europe from the Pope, exposing the
dark mysteries of the Romish Church, so will
| the spirit of the times give you an irresistible
strength, that will put down all opposition.
God does not require man to put on the livery
of the devil to bring out goodness and truth.
| On the contrary, all history presents the great
fact, that, although clouds and darkness may
| surround them, the recipients of truth have
best succeeded by an open, straightforward
course. Yours, respectfully, CALEB SWAN.
HOW VERMONT STANDS AFFECTED-THE REA-
SONS.
WHITE RIVER, W., Feb. 9, 1856.
One of your Vermont subscribers would ike
to follow the fashion, and speculate little with
regard to the Know Nothings, in the columns
of the Era.
Vermont, Of all the States in the Union, has
the least excuse for her people to run after the
Know Nothings, because her present political
| attitude is the most unexceptiOnable.
1t is not that her position upon the Slavery
question is doubtful or uncertain, that her peo-
pie need to join the Know Nothngs; for she
stands not upon partial, but the entire Anti
Slavery Platform, without the omission of a
single plank. 1t is not that she has two politi-
cal parties, protesting to be governed by Anti
Slavery sentiments, and yet, at a time when
patriotism and decent regard for the cause of
Human Freedom requires them to act togeth-
er, perversely refuse to do SO, that her people
are compelled to take this method of rebuking
such folly and wickedness, for her Republican
and Wing party, pledged alike to place the
question of Slavery above all other considera
tons, combined together upon the ground that
their purposes were the same. 1t is not that
the principles Of that party commend themselves
to the judgment Of her people, for the Native
American demonstrations in times past have
received no sympathy from them, and there are
but few who defend the propriety of secret
political organizations.
1t is not that they fear that the Pope will
establish his political power in this country,
and compel them at some future day to bow
down and kiss his great toe, for they claim to
have a little common sense.
What, then. the reasons that Vermonters
Join themselves TO the Know Nothing party
There are none but frivolous ones TO some,
it is the covered dish which their curiosity
impelled them to peep into. Some novelty-lov-
ing chaps jump on to the Know Nothing hobby,
for the fun of the ride. Some of its surprising
successes have created the impression that it
will carry everything before it; and the DISPOSE
ton of some people to stand in the longest row.
induses them to join it. For this reason, also,
the party here can boast of its full share of
demagogues and oAice-seekers. Some, from a
zeal for the Protestant religion, but not accord
ing to knowledge, unite with party fellowship
ing alike Infdels, Deists, and Nothingarians.
Perhaps there are some bigots and fools in
the Republican and Wing parties, who never
can forgive or forget political foe who Joins
the Know Nothings-each to crush the party of
the other, even at the expense of his own.
There are very probably some Locofocos dis
gusted with their own party, and take this way
of getting out of it, as the least offensive to
their pride.
The hatred inspired by the ignorant and
vicious Irish people employed to build our rail
roads, from which Vermont is now reaping
immense advantages, and which could not and
would not have been built without them, con-
tributed to swell the ranks of the Know Moth |
lngs.> But these are not sufficient reasons why |
the reading, thinking, intelligent people of Yer
9snt sAanld 60 oyer to the Know Nothing par. |
ty, and they will not do it. Locofoco New
Hampshire may join the Know Nothings if she
plesses and her last state will not surely be
worse than the first Massachusetts, may stretch
out her hands toward them, in order to bring
her Anti-Slavery politicians to more reasona-
bic state of mind, but Vermont should not
degrade herself by taking steps backward into
their ranks. 5. SMITH.