Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-05-04
ANOTHER INTERESTING DEVELOPMENT
Oh KNOW. NOTHING SECRETS.

After the late nomination of George W. Thomp-
son, Esq., as the Democratic Candidate for Congress
iu the Raleigh district Of North Carolina, addresses
were made before the Convention by number of
Democrats, and amouSs' them was Mr.. a. J. Leach,
who made some strange aud startling disclosures as
to Know Sohngism. IIe stated one fact in purl-
cusr as to the administration Of oats in the lodge in
which he was Initiated which will sl"rrse those who
have been crcdulous enough to believe that Know
Nothing leaders really care anything about Catholic
ISM But the whole speech of Mr.. Leach,.ns report
cd in the Raleigh Standard is interesting, ind wa III
vite Protes,ants in particular Ia give it careful pc
rusa:
"Mr. Leach said that he joined the Know No'hingG
in baltimore lust Being i'll that city. no liet
with an acquaintance who had been nj his house in
Johnston county few months previous, and who
had heard him mako some remarks against the Cutho
lie religion, and against foreign paupers crowdng To
our shores. This friend remembered tho expressions,
and soon reminded him of them, and then rcmnricd:
Now wo have the very thing 10 put down the CGtho-
lcs aud prevent these foreign puupers from coming
to country On inquring further. Mr.. Leach
learned that il tho Know Nothing organization
that effect this, and he was solicited 10 join,
nothing being said to him about oaths Pledges
lie partially consented, and after dark his friend
called at his room aud proposed walk They wen:
out together, and, after gong some distance, LIS
friend pr. tho inquiry to him. Could he take oath!
His reply WIS, that he not in tho habit Of taking
oaths except when wituess i'll court Finally, how
ever, he concluded he would sCe what kind of an
oath il was. He was taken up par of stars, and
hc and otker candidates stuck back in n little
ante room for while. He then cOndurte,li into the
lodge councilro"m and the oath was administered.
and no was invited seat. In the of the sit
ting tho president Of the council nnde speech, deoun-
cling President Pierce and his administration. Mr..
Leach who he'd ever beena sound and consistent De-
mocrnt said this began 10 waken him up, aud, for the
FIRST time, he suspected some political movement OPP.
position to the Democratic party vi which he was If
forwards convinced. After the council adjourned he
told his friend Of s0mo things that dspoH-ui him,
whoa he was assured thu, he had not yet got inriy
iii the merits OF it-bat ha lad only taken one de-
gree, and hree nothmg--thut there were two more
degrees hu take TO have all tho beauties 4" the
order revealed him. Mr. l.. decided, he had got
INTO tue snap, that he would go through with II,
anu tue next night no took the other two degrees,
which made hm son If the sires Of 10; that being
Ie mime OF Inc order after taking three degrees
lie was then solicited to LHv some papers to enublc
| him to establish council in North raroliua which
he did' with the understanding that ii he concluded
no. " estaosh council he should return the papers
and got his money back. After be cume home he
Het the papers buck and demanded his money. but
never Eos It. lilo was thoroughly dscnst.d with
Know NOTTINGHAM and hud never visited nn, ~, 49,;
lodges sioce. He regretted the oaths he had taken
| and prayed God To forgive him. lie warned ,vcrv
body. and especially Democrats, against the order
He said some good Democrats might be scduced into
| the order, but they would not stav there No nnn
who desired to naintain .hc constitution and allow
the privileges guaranteed by il, could remain in The.
Know Nothing order Its principles were rrpugnant
to the constitution, aud in conflict with civil and rc!i
gious freedom. Every member was sworn to support
the candidate designated by q majority. lie had no
choice no freedom in the matter. The minority must