Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-06-22
letter from Mr.. ToOmBs.


-, SrR.-More than three weeks ago, in COM
ga" with nv promise, wrote to you, giving my
PDaI.us If the new political organization, common
oPII1inooTTn as Know Nothings," or the American
y XIV did not learn until | reached Augusta, on
Pary, here that you had not received il. If it
ny I'd vet come to hand, wish you to publish it, as
snOuls much fuller and more carefully prepared ex
E :a;on of my opinions than this letter be-
P embark Today for Liverpool, and, for want OF
sDan mnst confne myself TO a very brief statement,
aI[s, than an argument on the subject.
Mo first objection to the party is one indepen'
nj lis principles. | am opposed TO 1t because 1t
lsD secret political society. Society has right TO
Sy the men, and the principles, and the policy OF
Lo who seek 10 direct lis affairs and control its
LD s Publicity is the life blood of representa-
o os, repubc Without it, public liberty must soon
D;sb and no necessity, short OF that which would
fv revolution, can justify the surrender of this
.sot security of popular government All panty as
gIso+;ons are constantly liable to be used by the
".;no the unprincipIed and enterprising members
w bo promotion of personal OH ects rather than the
IbTc interests and it needs no argument to prove
HIt secresy greatly increases the tendency and IA
I;,otps the accomplishment of such unworthy ends
;..resv IS the natural covering of fraud, the natural
,1v If error, and the enemy of truth The patriots
fo framed our constitution gave 1t fatal blow, by
DIVISIONS which secure the freedom OF speech and
The liberty of the press.
The objection to the new party derives additional
roe from the obligation which is said to be imposed
,,on the applicant for admission, that ne Will carry
o5, rs DEGREES whether his Judgment approves them
not If this be true, it is surrender OF the dear
,t RIGHTS of freedom, and crime against society.
Nv next objection to the American party is, that
nroDoses in some way, 10 invade the rights OF Con-
,pncp or to call men in question for the free
a thereof am opposed 10 all religious tests OF ev
"a sort and for every purpose. Our constitution pro-
sts rs against the putting of such tests upon the
.otute book but the principle is founded on truth
and justjce and ought to be the rule of the individual
,,i0n as well as of the public conduct OF every cit
,en Centuries OF unaVaing persecution taught Cur
others the folly, as well the wckedness, of at
smping 10 control mems cOnsciences by penal stat
ntss Of civil disabilities; they, therefore, put the
sing Of disability into the temptation TO disgrace our
statute book with this sort of legislation. We will
defeat their noble objects, in part at least, by enactng
3dferent rule in the exercise of our political rights
II IS charged that the Roman Catholic policy is
,rpeI ntoerant and deSpotic The charge is not
wholly unfounded If it be true, it is greatly to be
condemned and dep lored, and above all things, we
should avoid initiating their vices and thereby just.
ysubectng ourselves to this great condemnation. -
Ne can neither conquer nor eradicate the views of
Romanism, whatever they may be, by initiating them
9rby persecution. The world has tried these rene
lies for centuries past and tried them in vain. Let
us rather oppose their cruelty with Kindness her in
eFanCe with free liberation, (n substance well
orm) her despOtism with freedom, and then may
reasonably look for different and better results. The
moment that the simple, yet sublime truth, got itself
acknowledged by our government that the citizen is
rssDonsibe to State for his civil conduct, but TO God
XIV for his religious faith, the unholy bonds which
unite the church to the State were broken, persecu
iOnfOr conscience sake became impossible here, and
religious federation entered upon its Of univer
sal dominion. lis great triumph was to strike the
teers from the c0nscienCes of the Irish Roman Cath
Cics 1t has begun a similar good work for the
Poestants in Spain and Sardinia. and for the Greek
in Turkey, and it will 60 on, ''conquerlng and 10
c2uuer" until the demon of perseCutiOn-bllnd
deaf and stupid shall have more abiding place
upon the face OF the earth.
The naturalization laws are greatly complained OF
57 the American party. | think them found on Just
principles, and are, in the main, wise and good laws
Tonaturaze an intelligent foreigner of good moral
character and attached to free government, and the
principles of our constitution, and who has resided
among long enough to test those qualifications, is
great benefit TO the State, AS we'll as TO the lndlvd
aaI who receives the high privilege. These are the
conditions and safeguards which our laws seek tC
throw around the right OF citizenship These laws
are no doubt, frequently violated; they are, doubt
es imperfect and do not fully effect the objects in.
ended by them. Let all proper additions and amend
uents necessary to carry out these objects be made
and then let the law be faithfully administered, anC
Mee things can be done without the aid of secret
reues
There is another objection to this party which
should put it under the ban of Southern opinion
We have had great struggle for the last six years
Upon an Intensely exciting sectional issue. This is
sue has been settled by the wisdom of the represen
tahyes of the people This issue found lis solution
u the legislation of 1850 and 1854 The peace anC
safety of the republic demand that this Legislation
should not only be undsturbed, but vigorously up
held by the nation. The American party in the
Nohh whenever it has had power, has shown th'
most vigorous hostility to this legislation. The
Know Nohings of Massachusetts have attempted t.
01Ity it, and have shown a total disregard of the
public oaths and, therefore, ara wholly incapable O.
giving any pledge, open or secret, that man of hon
esty ought to accept. Political associations will
lhese men is moral completely with their crimes
The true policy of the South is to unite to lay
ASIDE all party divisions Wings, Democrats an(
Know Nothings should come togethor and combine
Tor their common safety. If wise enough II
This, to present one unbroken column Of 6fteel
Saes united for the preservation of their rights
iheconstitution and the Union, and to uphold AM
support that noble BE- ID of patriots, at the North
who have stood for the constitution, and the right
against tempest Of fanacism, folly and treason whic
has assaulted them, We shall succeed. We shall the
lave conquered peace which will be enduring, an
h! means which will not invite further agressiOn.-
am very respectfully, your obedien servant,
R. TOOMBS.
Startling Proposition.
The New York Herald one of the organs of know