The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-05-26

From Post
FIRST KNOW NOTHING LEGISLATURE.
The abors OF the first know-nothng legislature COM
pleed, and before the country for Judgment When
they commenced Gov Gardner announced in his naugn
raj address that Massachusetts, once permitted
take the lead in that legislation believed be necessary
to psreuae religious and cird prirges He spoke the
head of party and frankly announced that its purposes
required that should obtain President and Congress
Thus the nothngs here aspred TO be national par
~ and to lead other States.
Let us take brief glance at the ways which egsa-
ture with such objects in view devised perpetnate
religious aud civil privileges
And first religious privileges Of such vital con-
sequence Liberty and liberty of worship
Of the natural rights secured in constitutions federal and
State and these say that denomination of Christians
shall neither be favored above another in any way
harmed their religion Now how has this know
nothing legislature complied with these provisions
ring prmordal right Of man Let its fierce onslaught
Catholics answer let its miserable panderng 20 blgot
~ answer let its proposed laws education and its
actual violation by its committees Of private rights in
visiting Catholic schools But why specify de-
tas2 Mr. Speaker Eddy has confessed the whole in his
parting speech By your speeches and your eotcs his
words are "you hare spoken for temperance liberty aRd
PRorEsrASrlsM and he might have added have rampled
under foot the rights Of Catholics which the egis Of
the constitution is as broad il is Protesans Is
tons of religious privileges? Is not this rank bgot
ry? Pray where did this know-nothng egslature-Mr.
Speaker Eddy their heal-derve the right 10 ignore
and persecue sect2 Is this in accordance with the gee
OF Professionalism Pray, is its and
brightest jewel the right Of private Judgment We tell
Mr. Speaker Eddy and these know-nohings that where in
what should be the impartial halls Of legislation they have
only votes and speeches for ts and prosecute
conscentou. Catholic they belle the great American
and deny the first principles of Professionalism Mock
the country by ermng such speeches and and
acts perpetuating religious prvilegeshey for in
PRODUCING, substantially, The old test Of England.
We next to civil privileges What has been in
iated here in this line worthy to be copied by other
States? What has been done to perpe,uatc those prvi-
leges enjoy2
The guardian protector them all is UNION and to
every person and every interest Of the State the
lion Of this ought to be paramount To every true patriot
true this consideration that transcends
all Others and before which all other conderationsnas
much by this only rights be overwhelmingly
into nothing.
We have not overstated this test But let an
others words setting forth its magnitude When all
ard loyal parties invoke the highest pcrsoncaton OF
honest purpose and sterling patriotism they nsncvey
Washington. We viii not cite the often-quoied
passages from the Farewell Address the value Of
Union, but take Others that will apply closer a touch
stone try know-nothing abors Take the memorable
words TO the authority Of the general Re-
spec for its authority compliance ae ala lacs acqnesccs
IN its measures duties enoined by the fundamental
maxms of true liberty aThe constitution which at any
time exists till changed by explicit and authentic Of
the whole people, is sacredly obligatory ALL The very
idea of the power and the right of the people establish
government presupposes the duty Of every Individual to
obey the established government Such the Just
true wholesome words of the Father Of bis Country and
he held up DISTRACTIONS TO THE EXECUTION or TuE
LAWS destructive TO the fundamental principles Of
polity and Of fatal tendency
With these principles in view let ask what have our
know nothngs done in harmony with them How have
they discharged their constitutional auties How do they
stand before the country fulfilling the obligations Of
that work Of the fathers which designed secure
perfect unon and the blessings Of liberty regulated
by law to the future Of American generations Have they
shown themselves party Of patriots with basis OF a-
ton COMPREHENSIVE feelings national in their stamp
Or have they proved that they but sectional party
looking only sectional objects and pandering only 10
the views and purposes OF local hction2
For the answer present the statute book There ia
the record Of the law designed nul measure OF the
general government designed resist the authority OF
the general government designed obstruct the execu-
ton Of laws aade n pursuance Of the constitution
signed therefore, uproo, Fundamental maxns Of true
liberty There stands Massachusetts, at the close Of
the rst know-nohng legislature There she a. boldly
arrayed ia a Catiiine robe
For this piece of political treason 10 the best
man ever framedto which the eyes Of struggling nations
are turnedhe know-notbings party ARE responsible
They did the deed In doiag IL they tell the county who
they are and what they do Their platform Is inn
bodied 10 the practices and laws OF their first Legislature
They prescribe for their birth and they persecu,c
or their religion Their secret oAh-bonnd lodges STAMP
hem Protestant Jesuits. To these committeeman.
rous in this free Americathey add the paramount
nifty Of REssrAScR TO CONSTITUTION o. rpr
COUNTRY.