The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-09-30


minds away from the original plan and purposes OF this
midnight cabal We ought perpetuay to remember that
originally its very existsnce its its oaths s times
and places OF meeting its offsets whether TO regulate and
control the POLITICAL the religious and social conditions OF
life al to be kept profoundly secret If public man
be struck down If the professional TO ose
his practice ii the merchant be broken up in his
business II the mechanic and tradesman were TO be sud-
denly deprived OF employment aud patronage, tue arm
that struck the fatal blow TO be and even
suspected No friendship could spare, affection could
Shield the selected victim The memorable oath had been
TAKEN that you will in all things political and social 50
far this order is concerned comply with the will OF the
majority, when expressed in lawful manner though 1t
may conflict with Jour personal preference Under
that oath, the must do all in his power against
the father and the brother must stretch his highest ability
TO effect the ruin of his brother power vast so mon
sous Irresponsible either to the laws Of God man.
could not fail TO awaken the conscious fears and horrors OF
deuded and derau led followers Disclosure after
disclosure and withdrawal after wthdrawa the con-
sequence until society stood amazed and shuddeed ut the
thought that here in the heart Of the most enlightened
and Christian nation in the world, midnight jano had
been formed secret than that Of tue Jesus and
more dangerous liberties than that English mon
archy against which fathers rebced dangerous
because that monarch could be held in check by the great
principles of Magma Chao and by the British Parliament
jealous of every stretch of the royal prerogauye But
this midnight unto had controlling check but their
own sovereign will and pleasure They boased too, that
they had enrolled larger army of followers than ever
mustered in the British service and that each one had
been solemny faithfully to execute the DEGREES of
majority in matters social well political Matters So
cial Why these embrace nearly concern of human
ethc nearest and most precious ties and relations that
bind mankind together Certainly they do and if there
be truth in the publication Of that oath, which we have
contradicted denied, then the conspiracy
entered into by this know nothing unto is far more
extensive and dangerous than has generally been
thought, and deserves deeper and more universal
condemnation than it has yet received repeat that
plate the words of that oath do clearly imply, The
control and regulation of all social MS well as political
matters it is an outrage against all law, human and
dvine--a conspiracy which ought and must consign
/
with that understanding of it, pray God that it may
not be sol erventy hope that some explanation can be
given that will save the age and country in which live
from the dishonor Of having given birth TO such
spiracyl / know how readily ii may be said that this
of secrecy has been corrected by the Philadelphia
convention; corrected only in part and ! apprehend in
only very small part They have lifted corner
of the veil and disclosed here and there only few points
which had already become known to the public independ-
ent of their Philadelphia manifestations Besides this
are looking TO the original designs Of the party not
estimating it by the reforms which indignant public
opinion may have compelled them recently adopt The
cprit who fees in disguise deserves but little credit for
throwing it of at the moment of arrest and exposure.
But dismiss any further objections to the secrecy Of
this orerto its administration of unlawful and improper
oahs. pass too, amy further comments that horrid
and internal feature in their oath of obedience the de-
cson of majority which relates to their assumption Of
control over the social relations of life These
merous delicate, that will TO depict the
horrid consequences which must flow from assumption
never before attempted in hemos ignorant aud bar
barous ages OF the world pass from all these consider
the avowed political objects of this association Where
shall We look for these obiecs2 To the Philadelphia
vention for its national platform From the reports have
seen of its proceedings deny its nationality altogether.
IT tried by States fifteen voted for it fifteen States against
it. If tried by the votes allowed in the electoral college
the States that voted for are entitled TO hundred and
ortysix whilst those that voted against entitled to
one hundred and fifty votes lie must be know-nothing,
indeed, who believe that a platform that was
| voted down, according to all correct modes Of vo-
ting is national one. No; the attempt TO NATIONAL
ne THIS know-nothing party failure. All sem
sble men now sec il, and all candid must nd
init it. SO evident the fact that twelve entire States
withdrew and gave up the attempt. They fell back ON
their respective State organizations the knownothngs
OF tennessee viii have to do content with being
State faction, without aspiring to become naone party.
The idea OF nationality for such party was in the
nature of things absurdy. What the distinctive
demands of know -nothngisn distinguishing them from
inc other parties OF the country? That foreigners shall
not be allowed to vote in any of elections until they
have been resident in the United States wentone years
instead of five and that Catholics shall be allowed
hold Office Now the States alone determine who may
and who may not vote. Congress cannot do it. Why,
then seek to elect President who say in his
sages one word the subject? Why elect nothing
members Of Congress- who could introduce BILL nor
vote for one regulating the right to vote In elections
without violating tho constitution and committing down
rght perjury True Congress change the naturaza-
ton laws MS they please bnt that is very different thing
from regulating the right to vote Suppose the fact that
should be prolonged from five to twenyone
years. during all that time foreigners and Catholics could
still be voting in all elections If the respective States
chose to permit them to do We therefore repeat that
the dea Of forming national party, for any purpose that
cannot be effected by the national authorities is in the
i very nature OF things, an absurdity
i But whether considered national or State party
when let me ask did this spasmodc alarm and dread of
foreigners and Catholics first seize those who
pose the know-nohng party? Not surely when Mr. Clay
delivered the following speech in defence Of the American
system delivered in the Senate of the United States Fobr-
| airy B 1882
i 1.-THE honest, patient and industrious German readily
uutes with people, establishes himself upon
fat lands fills his capacious barn. and enjoys in tranquility
the abundant fruits which his diligence gathers around him.
always ready D to the standard his adopted country
Of its laws, when called by the duties of patriotism The
hm~f to all the vcissitudes of life Incorporates himself
without difficulty in society. But of NIL foreigners,
none amslgamate themselves quickly with people
i as the NATIVES OF THE EMERALD ISLE. In some
OF the visions which have passed through my magina-
ton nave supposed that IRELAND originally
part ana Parce OF THIS continent, and that by
traordinary CONFUSION or nature it was torn from Amer
lea, and drifting the oeeaD il was placed in the
unfortunate vicinity of Great Britain The same
edness the hospitality the careless and
uncacuatng Indifference about human fe charhetrze the
inhabitants of both countries Kentucky has sometimes
called the Ireland Of America. And have doubt that If
the of emigration and
len upon the shores Europe of being Europe
to America American emgrant to Ireland would there
fnd every Irish emigrant here nd hearty welcome
] and a happy home.'
Let every freeman and admrer of this great COM
pare the sentiments of this speech with he now hears
from know-nothipg editors and speakers Irt that
IL WINS delivered great while ago let it be remembered
that Mr. Clay also remained in public life the founder and
the leader of the whg party almost down TO the present
I day without Withdrawing the noble sentiments of this
! speech.
But no statute Of limitation shall any know moth