The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1855-03-16
SENATOR sEWARD,s SPEECH.

IL Those who seek 10 dlsranchisp citizens
on account of their birth place, and their reii-
gious sentiments, should read and reflect upon
the following extract from a speech of VIM. Fl.
Seward, delivered recently in Congress. We
would especially call the attention the INTEL
ligent editors who boasted that Mr.. Seward's
election was know-Nothing victory, to bis
like is secretly seeking to drive freemen from
the home of the oppressed-the asylum Of liber-
ty. Mr.. Seward speaks the sentiments of eve
ry honest heart, and administers whitening re-
buke TO those who in their malignity are stirring
up the worst passions ofthe human heart BY fan
ming The fame Of fanatica bieotry.
/ am not allowed, sir, to reach the merits Of
this question without abiding to body of men
who sport in the pubic gaze under name
which | hardly know how TO repeat in the pre-
sence of so grave and reverend asSemblage as
this-thp Know Nothings. They are said 10
have contrived their disguise With so much in
genui,y, that one who is not novitiate cannot
deny knowledge of their ceremonies and prin-
ciprS, without implying his communion and
membership with them. Nevertheless, must
reply to the Senator from Illinois, Mr. Doug
lasS,l who charges me- among others, with such
an anation, that have no knowledge of that
body of men, other than what is afforded me bv
the publications of the day. Thus informed
understand the Know-Nothings TO BE- secret
society order, consisting OF two or three
grades, coIIeagued and mutually sworn 70 elect
individuals OF their own Order, or at least per-
sons mainiaing the principles which that Order
pntertains to all Offices OF trust and profit in the
United States. Those principles | understand
10 be-, in general the same which before the or
ganization of the Know Nothings, passed under
the name Of Native Amercanism. /, Sir, have
no connection with that Order. / am under
no responsibility for its doings, and have not
the least sympathy with its principles or senti-
mrnts. belong to one voluntary Association
of men, which has to do with spiritual affairs
Its the Christian Church-that branch of it,
all imperfect though think it is, which accor-
ding to my notions, most nearly retains in their
purity, the instructions OF the Gospel. That As
socialion is an open one which performs all lis
rites, and gives all its Instructions with publici
", and invites every man, in the language of
It's Divine Founder, to come in and partake of
the privileges with which He invested it, and
of the blessings which He promises. belong
to a temporal society Of men and that is the po-
litical party which, according to my nations,
embodias most fully and most truly, although
confess, as in the other case, very inadequately,
the principles of the Declaration Of Indeppn-
dence and Of the Constitution of the United
States This Association also, Of which ! have
last spok en-, is an open one. All lis tranSac-
tons are conducted in the broad daylight, and
it invites all citizens, and all men who become
subjects OF the power of this Government, of
whatever Cline or race they may b., to enter
into lis ranks 10 participate in IFS labors. and TO
cooperate in maintaining good government and
advancing the cause of Human Nature. These
two Associations, the one spiritual aud the 9TH
er temporal, are the only voluntary Associa-
tions to which ] ever belonged since I became
a man; and, unless ! am bereit of reason, they
are the only Associations of men to which
shall ever suffer myself 20 belong. Secret So
cieties sir Before would place my right hand
between the hands Of other men, in secret
Lodge, Order, Class, or Council, and bending
my knee before them, for any object, personal
or political, good or bad, would pray God that
that hand and that knee might be paralyZed,
and that | might become an object of pity and
even Of the mockerv fmy fellow men. Swear,
Siri-I, man, an American citizen, Chris
tan-swear to submit myself to the guidance
and direction OF other men, surrendering my
own Judgment TO their judgments, and my own
conscience TO their keeping No, no, Sir. /
know quite well the falibility of my own iudg-
ment, and my liability to fall into error and
temptation. therefore know too well the dan
ger Of confding power 10 irresponsible hands to
make myself slave. Prescribe man, Sir, be-
cause he was not born in the same town, or
county, or State, or country in which | was
born Why, Sir, do most earnestly and most
afectionately advise all persons hereafter to be
born in The United States, and il they can,
without any Inconvenience, TO be born in the
State of New York, and thus avoid great deal
OF trouble for themselves and for others Laugh
teri Moreover. ! 90 most affectionateiy pnloin
upon all such persons are hereafter 10 be born,
that they be born Of fathers and of mothers. of
grandfathers and of grandmothers, of pure A
merican blood. Still more, Sir, do Affection
atrlv enioin upon all who shall thus have the
wisdom 10 come into existence on this side of
the Atlantic, and of such pure and untainted an
ces,ty, to be either born in the Protestant faith,
or 10 be converted as speedily as possible to that
good and true Protestant Church. within whose
pale myself am accustomed 10 worship. Thus,
being born white, they will be born free. But:
Mr.. President, this is the length and this is the
bredth of my connection with the new and mys-
terous order Of patriots. And, if there's shall