The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-02-25

THE PRETENDED FOLLOWERS or WASHINGTON
There disposition in me human uand 70 assume e.
elusive propretorhp q greatness not much from an
innate love for moral intellectual superiority A. from
the confident expectation that personal acquisition g
cured in a large degree from nominal possession While
EnglishmAn Fanntagiy speaks q the heroic deeds q
Wellington Nelson b j. perhaps uneonseiousy offer
ing incense the altar Of personal vanity for be expects
his bearers give h credit for tbs possession q those
qualities which BUNDLED he Dane and overthrow the self
styled Child of Destiny FrenehHans franticslyen-
husiaste recital u the dazzling deeds o Napoleon il
II compliment 70 Z granae aa0N' through himself We
on this side q the Atlantic free from these weak
nesses Of our transatlantic neighbOrs for perhaps per
sona vanity vas never exhibited 70 greater extent in
more ridiculous light than in the attempt Of he
know-uothing party to mon0pol1e all the gores which
cluster around the reTy name Of WAsmSaroE. The
FEATHER Of bis Country hAs suddenly become the idol of
their secret worship the shibboleth Of their faith the incar
nation o. their creed.
We have been taught that George Washington was not
merely Father Of his Country bat that be the great
szempar FOR All and for all time His mission
mission for warning religious sectarians for the
narss Of the colonies He drew bis sword in the Of
civil and religious liberty and freely pered life and for
for the rights Of conscience well a. for freedom Of
action without reference native foreign bornCath-
olie or Protestant To show what exalted estimate
Washington placed upon religious tolerAon We give be-
low the letter which be addressed after his inangura
ton as President the General Committee Of the Baptist
Church Of Virginia
Gentlemen request that yuu viii accept my best
Acknowledgements for your congratuaon my appointment
10 the FIRST Office the nation the kind in which you
mention my conduct equally claims the expression OF nv
gratitude.
Amer we had bT the smiles Of Divine Providence
euertons obtained the object for which commended
tired at the conclusion Of the with idea that my
try could have further for my services and with
the intention o. entering again into public lie but
when the exgences Of my country seemed TO require
engage public affairs honest conviction Of
duy superseded my former resolution, and became apo
ogy for svatng the happy plan which had adopted
If could have entertained the slightest apprehension that the
constitution framed the where had the honor
to preside might possibly eadan9 The religious rights Of
eossasticul sOcey, certainly poEd haze placed my
signature and II could conceive that the general
government might be administered render the
liberty of insecure beg you will be persuaded
that would be jealous than myself establish
eecna barriers against the horrors Of spiritual tyranny and
every species Of religious persecution for you doubtless
member hare often expressed my sentiments that every
man, conducting himself good citizen and being
able God alone for his religious opinions ought be pro-
teced in worhppng the Deity according to the dictates q
while recoec with satisfaction that the religious society
Of which you members have been throughout America
uniformly and almost unanimously the firm friends civil
liberty and the perserering promoters Of glorious
luton hesitate believe that they VIII be the faith
ful supporters Of free vet efficient general government
Under this pleasing expectation reoice them
they rely upon my best wishes and endeavors
advance their prosperity; in the time be assured
gentlemen that entertain proper Of your feryent
suppcaous God for my temporal and eternal happiness
|" / am, gentlemen, your most obedent servant,
GEORGE WASHINGTON" 1
The heart Of every true American must nstnctvely
spond to the noble and enlightened sentiments which
Washington gave utterance to this occasion. How
promptly they recognised and how faithfully they
carried by his pretended worshppers in the know
nothing lodges may be inferred after perusng the following
extract from the Boston Bee:
" In the house, yesterday, motion Of Mr. Carey Of Fps
wch order passed nstrucing the committee
stituonal amendments to report bill TO prevent Roman
Catholics from holding Office under the Of the
State Of Massachusetts.