Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1855-09-22
Know-Nothingism as viewed by the French
Republicans,

We direct particular attention to the following
article from LIE Siecle of Paris translated by a
friend of the New Orleans Crescent LIE Steele
being republican paper, its views are entitled to
more than ordinary consideration for, says the
Crescent the notions of the editor correspond al
most identicaly, with those entertained by the
Americans of the United States This is not to be
wondered at, for there is not civilized country
under the canopy of DEMONSTRATING and except
ing this great Repubc-where devotion to the sol,
intense and unminged devotion, is not esteemed the
highest pride and most sacred duty of every native.
Here, however, the order of nature is reversed,
and no one dare avow himself native American
except at the risk of being denounced as man
capable Of, and intending, the preparation of the
most horrible transactions.
Several times already we have spoken of a great
party which has organized itself in the United
States under the untranslatabe name of Know
Nothings; the meaning of which can be conveyed
by one OF our idioms-les durs cutre.
The American Wings are certainly very skill
full and honorable party, but having no other aim
but to govern wisely, in helping the natural pro-
gress of things, they lose their prestige as soon
they grasp the power; because the American
people, who ever and anon say go ahead, feels as
it his wishes were constrained by the hands of his
rulers. Then come the Democrats. 1t is neither
the talent ofspeech nor the wish to go ahead which
are wanting with them. What is an obstacle to
them is the unfortunate idea of looking for the ex
panson Of the United States in territorial conquests
They have sought first the annexation Of Texas
and then the conquest of New Mexico and Calfor-
MIA. Now they would have Cuba, even at the cost
of tens of millions? When Cuba would be an
nexed they would want something else.
1t is not the egotism which exists at the bottom
of the politics of the Wings and Democrats which
astonishes us; egotsm within certain limits, is
durable in father Of family and perhaps it is one
OF the attributes of great nations. Where our as
constituent begins, it is when we see that neither
of the old great parties has ever undertaken to
homogenize the people of the United States, COM
ism may perhaps not succeed in that task we even
see more than one danger in the religious conflict
which it wants to establish; however, that party
has above the others the advantage to 20 towards
definite end, in which the interior sovereignty
does not come in contact with any exterior SOW
ereignty.
We have ever been, and we are more than ever
sensitive upon the matter of religious liberty But
there is fundamental distinction to be made here.
AmeTicanism does not attack the acquired rights
of the Catholic residents it does not say that the
immigrants protesting the Roman religion shall not
be received; it merely speaks of granting the right
of citizen and the exercise of part ofthe national
sovereignty, only after certain delay, to which the
first who arrived were not submitted. The ques-
ton is delicate one but does it 60 as far as ill.,
tolerance?
The attachment to real republican principles
from which flows of free examination, does not take
possession of the new Corners soon as they touch
soil of the United States; but with time, it modfes
the body.
Ii the question was to make certain Catholics
Protestants, and vice eersa, we would have nothing
to do with it. But the object is, while due respect
is paid to the faith of every one to prevent the in
sttution Of the Union from receiving shock which
is to come from the outside, and within this limit
the aim Of acknowledgement or Americanism ap-
pears to US perfectly legitimate At every time,
and in every country, people has had the right
to regulate the conditions under which naturaliza-
ton can be obtained. 1t is sufficient for us that
the constitution Of the United States, in spirit as
well as in letter. is opposed to all exclusion of inn
migrants for cause Of religious opinions. The
American Government, as government, belongs
to no particular religion.
As to the incidents OF the conflict which Know
Nothingism is pursuing they undoubtedly have their
MScASSe Out lAltcTcSt Is I'LL FetdLlO0
to the aim we have just noted-an aim which shall
be kept up and visible, whatever may be the result
of the presidential and other elections The United
States have grown so rapidly, that those, who like
ourselves, have deep sense of fiaterna affection
for them-feel true satisfaction at seeing that
they have resolved to examine themselves the laws
Of their expansion, and to regulate with constant
hand the development of the strength of their
gigantic youth.
BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE TO THE LATE ABBOTT
LAwRENcE.-At the opening of the Tufts Col
lege, Rev. e. H. Chaplin, while responding to
the sentiment, knowledge. is power" spoke
incidentally Of the death of Mr. Lawrence, and
gave splendid tribute to his worth:
sir-In the city which have just left, this
very day the solemn bell has tolled, the doors
Of traffic have been shut, and Boston has worn
&-Ir~ - 4 =